Rex 121

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
bambam
Member
Posts: 97
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2005 8:44 am
Location: So Cal

Rex 121

#1

Post by bambam »

Would any of you spydie nuts be interested in a Para 3 in Rex121?
SubMicron
Member
Posts: 246
Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2020 12:55 pm

Re: Rex 121

#2

Post by SubMicron »

I'd be interested
User avatar
Wartstein
Member
Posts: 15175
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 10:06 am
Location: Salzburg, Austria, Europe

Re: Rex 121

#3

Post by Wartstein »

bambam wrote:
Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:13 pm
Would any of you spydie nuts be interested in a Para 3 in Rex121?
Did a quick search and would be interested in REX 121! :)

But: Please not yet another Para 3... Don´t get me wrong, it might very well be a really good knife and I know many do like it, but it has already gotten unbelievably many variants. And when I read through this forum there are also not too few who don´t really care too much about this model (yes, I am one of those).

In my humble opinion: If it has to be a small comp. lock knife, maybe the Sage 5 (LW) should get some variants now too. Just for the sake of some balance... (and believe me: If one of MY favorite small folders (Delica, Chaparral) would get all that variants and not some other models, I´d still certainly argue in the same way and for more balance in the "small knife arena"!)
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
User avatar
JMM
Member
Posts: 1489
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 8:39 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest, USA, Earth

Re: Rex 121

#4

Post by JMM »

I'd be interested in anything with Rex121.
User avatar
Naperville
Member
Posts: 4417
Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:58 am
Location: Illinois, USA

Re: Rex 121

#5

Post by Naperville »

Street Beat in Rex 121
I support the 2nd Amendment Organizations of GOA, NRA, FPC, SAF, and "Knife Rights"
T2T: https://tunnel2towers.org; Special Operations Wounded Warriors: https://sowwcharity.com/
User avatar
standy99
Member
Posts: 2215
Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2017 11:07 am
Location: Between Broome and Cairns somewhere

Re: Rex 121

#6

Post by standy99 »

Wartstein wrote:
Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:49 pm
bambam wrote:
Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:13 pm
Would any of you spydie nuts be interested in a Para 3 in Rex121?
Did a quick search and would be interested in REX 121! :)

But: Please not yet another Para 3... Don´t get me wrong, it might very well be a really good knife and I know many do like it, but it has already gotten unbelievably many variants. And when I read through this forum there are also not too few who don´t really care too much about this model (yes, I am one of those).

In my humble opinion: If it has to be a small comp. lock knife, maybe the Sage 5 (LW) should get some variants now too. Just for the sake of some balance... (and believe me: If one of MY favorite small folders (Delica, Chaparral) would get all that variants and not some other models, I´d still certainly argue in the same way and for more balance in the "small knife arena"!)
Years ago this comment would have been in the PM2 threads word for word as we watched the PM2 go through the same as the Para 3 is now.
(Don’t fight it, it’s just the way the PM2 went and the way the Para 3 is heading if not already there)

Must admit I’m more of a fan for this steel for a PM2, Para 3 than a Sage 5 light weight.
Im a vegetarian as technically cows are made of grass and water.
User avatar
Wartstein
Member
Posts: 15175
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 10:06 am
Location: Salzburg, Austria, Europe

Re: Rex 121

#7

Post by Wartstein »

standy99 wrote:
Wed Jul 22, 2020 1:48 am
Wartstein wrote:
Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:49 pm
bambam wrote:
Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:13 pm
Did a quick search and would be interested in REX 121! :)

But: Please not yet another Para 3... Don´t get me wrong, it might very well be a really good knife and I know many do like it, but it has already gotten unbelievably many variants. And when I read through this forum there are also not too few who don´t really care too much about this model (yes, I am one of those).

In my humble opinion: If it has to be a small comp. lock knife, maybe the Sage 5 (LW) should get some variants now too. Just for the sake of some balance... (and believe me: If one of MY favorite small folders (Delica, Chaparral) would get all that variants and not some other models, I´d still certainly argue in the same way and for more balance in the "small knife arena"!)
Years ago this comment would have been in the PM2 threads word for word as we watched the PM2 go through the same as the Para 3 is now.
(Don’t fight it, it’s just the way the PM2 went and the way the Para 3 is heading if not already there)

Must admit I’m more of a fan for this steel for a PM2, Para 3 than a Sage 5 light weight.

Thanks for your reply!

As said, I am well aware that many love the Para 3 and so it´s totally fine that it gets a lot of variants!!

But for me, there is just a TOO much and a real unbalance at some point... so just a bit alternation would be kind of nice... ;)

The Sage 5 (LW or not) is not my absolute favorite small folder either, but if we stay in the realm of small comp. lock folders when it comes to getting all the variants and steels, I think it would be a good option for those who are not particularly fond of the Para 3..

Just so that at one time Para 3 folks would miss out on a special variant, at another time the Sage 5 folks. And many still would like BOTH models anyway! :)
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
fixall
Member
Posts: 730
Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2018 3:45 am

Re: Rex 121

#8

Post by fixall »

I use Spyderco’s with thick blade stock (like the Para and Native lines) as hard use knives so I think it’s a bit silly to pair a high edge rentention/low toughness steel on a knife like the Para 3. With my uses I’d be dealing with a lot of chipping I imagine.

I think it makes a lot more sense to pair a low toughness/high edge retention steel with a lighter use knife featuring thin blade stock. Rex121 would be amazing on something like the Chaparral, UKPK, or Watu. It would be a cardboard/poly wrap slicing machine! I could even get on board with something a little bit thicker like the Sage LW or Delica Wharncliffe. I think I’d pass on the Para 3 though. Just my two cents.
User avatar
Pancake
Member
Posts: 1146
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 4:52 am

Re: Rex 121

#9

Post by Pancake »

No.
After trying K390, which is like two steps below REX121, I don't think I need such steel. K390 as a high carbide steel was a fun experience, but I come to conclusion that I don't really need that kind of edge retention.
What I would like to see more of are steels with less carbides but ground more thinly than usual, like 0.2 mm behind the edge.
In the pocket: Chaparral FRN, Native Chief, Police 4 K390, Pacific Salt SE, Manix 2 G10 REX45
Sumdumguy
Member
Posts: 3601
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2017 3:51 pm

Re: Rex 121

#10

Post by Sumdumguy »

After reading a bit about it, I think I'll pass. Not super interested in these super high hardness steels. They usually end up being far too brittle and prone to damage.

I have come to value toughness far more than edge retention. Roll>Chip, anyday.
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."

-Thomas Jefferson
User avatar
legOFwhat?
Member
Posts: 3140
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2018 5:58 am
Location: Kentucky; Earth

Re: Rex 121

#11

Post by legOFwhat? »

Mule Team 29? Yes please :D
-Larry
Hebrews 13:6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
MNOSD #0049
TomAiello
Member
Posts: 6659
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:34 pm
Location: Twin Falls, ID

Re: Rex 121

#12

Post by TomAiello »

I'd like to see it as Mule first.

I have a REX 121 custom fixed blade (Creely Mako) and I honestly can't tell much difference in edge retention between it and my Maxamet Manix 2 LW.

Para 3 LW would be a decent platform for this steel, though. I think I'd rather see it in Lil Native (back lock), Dragonfly, or UKPK, though.

And given that Spyderco has experience working with Maxamet, I think I'd rather see the 'easy option' of running the Para 3 LW (or Lil Native, or Dragonfly, or _especially_ UKPK) in Maxamet.
User avatar
wrdwrght
Member
Posts: 5082
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:35 am

Re: Rex 121

#13

Post by wrdwrght »

Rex121? Sure, but only for reasons of curiosity, not a particular application, and therefore in a PM2 so I can compare it to my Maxamet, 10V, and S110V PM2s.

I must say, though, that I’m more than happy to sacrifice some edge-retention for sharpening response.
-Marc (pocketing an S110V Native5 today)

“When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.”
DukeNiemand
Member
Posts: 104
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2019 9:01 am

Re: Rex 121

#14

Post by DukeNiemand »

I would love anything in Rex121. Preferably a PM2 or Military. But I'll happily settle for a Mule if that's all we get.
bdblue
Member
Posts: 1753
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:04 pm
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Rex 121

#15

Post by bdblue »

I'm not a PM3 fan. I tend to think of the supersteels as good for knives that you would do a lot of cutting with so for me that means PM2 and Manix2. I don't think you can realize the benefit of the steels in a smaller knife.

I think S110V, M4 and cousins, and K390 and cousins are good in the PM2 and maybe we don't need to go any further. I would have to study where the toughness of Rex121 fits with respect to these. If it is more like Rex45 than I would like to see it in the PM2 or Manix2. I say go any further if there are tradeoffs in the steel. If Rex121 sacrifices any toughness over the ones listed above then I don't think I would want it in the PM2. I have gone back and forth with respect to Maxamet in the Manix2. I don't have one, I want one, but I'm not sure if I need one or not. I don't think I would want it in the PM2.
GJMcD
Member
Posts: 45
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2020 9:12 am
Location: Canada

Re: Rex 121

#16

Post by GJMcD »

I’d definitely like to try one out.
User avatar
Cl1ff
Member
Posts: 1129
Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2019 4:35 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Rex 121

#17

Post by Cl1ff »

The Rex steels are my favorite for a number of reasons, so a Rex121 knife would be at the top of my list as sort of a "Grail Knife."

Maybe a sprint run would be advantageous in terms of cost effectiveness?
In my opinion, any folder or a fixed blade like the Mule is certain to make a good knife.
It's fitting the "King" of knife steel hardness and edge retention shares its name with the "Tyrant Lizard King" I've chosen as my avatar, Tyrannosaurus rex.
Last edited by Cl1ff on Thu Dec 31, 2020 12:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
rex121 is the king of steel, but nature’s teeth have been cutting for hundreds of millions of years and counting :cool:
User avatar
Evil D
Member
Posts: 27147
Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:48 pm
Location: Northern KY

Re: Rex 121

#18

Post by Evil D »

I'm pretty sure Maxamet was the result of testing Rex 121 and deciding "nah", or something to that effect. This steel has been discussed many times and I'm pretty sure Sal mentioned something about testing it but going with Maxamet instead. I could be misremembering but I know there was talk of a mule and there was a reason it didn't happen.
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
User avatar
Tucson Tom
Member
Posts: 1630
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 10:19 pm
Location: Somewhere in Arizona

Re: Rex 121

#19

Post by Tucson Tom »

No, no, NO! Not another Para 3 !!!

But a mule, now that would be great.
JohnDoe99
Member
Posts: 155
Joined: Sun May 17, 2020 1:29 pm

Re: Rex 121

#20

Post by JohnDoe99 »

Not a pm3, if I am going with that size of knife I much prefer a Native 5, just my 2 cents.

I imagine a REX 121 PM2 would be exceedingly expensive, more than Maxamet. That is one reason why I get off the carbide train at s110v.
Post Reply