Future of REX-121 supply?

[bleasure]

I know the 121 knives are intended as regular production, and that there are future models planned. Crucible's bankruptcy and all the connected concequences raise questions about the future of CPM supply. Not only whether CPM steels will reappear, which presumably they will, but also where Crucible steel is made in future. Currently, spyderco.com is OOS of the Sage 5, as are most retailers. I am interested to know whether the existing, pre-bankruptcy supply of 121 been used up.

I've known people working at or with Crucible all my life. I have always been proud to buy products in general and knife/steel in particular born where I was, it is not a small reason why I buy the knives I do. I was eager to get the 121 Sage 5 because this would be the first Sage I owned and is the right one for me - the steel is absurd and the color is fantastic. I couldn't justify the cost last year, but now that I can, it seems I may have missed the boat on the last 121 made in my home town. Consequently I'm interested to learn what I can about the future of these models if anyone has insight to share

[SpeedHoles]

I know the 121 knives are intended as regular production, and that there are future models planned. Crucible's bankruptcy and all the connected concequences raise questions about the future of CPM supply. Not only whether CPM steels will reappear, which presumably they will, but also where Crucible steel is made in future. Currently, spyderco.com is OOS of the Sage 5, as are most retailers. I am interested to know whether the existing, pre-bankruptcy supply of 121 been used up.

I've known people working at or with Crucible all my life. I have always been proud to buy products in general and knife/steel in particular born where I was, it is not a small reason why I buy the knives I do. I was eager to get the 121 Sage 5 because this would be the first Sage I owned and is the right one for me - the steel is absurd and the color is fantastic. I couldn't justify the cost last year, but now that I can, it seems I may have missed the boat on the last 121 made in my home town. Consequently I'm interested to learn what I can about the future of these models if anyone has insight to share

I still see them available at various retailers currently.
There was even a mention in here a month or so ago that there was enough stock to make one more run of the Sage in REX121.

If you also know current employees who were at Crucible until the end, you may see that they have received a special edition gift knife from Spyderco. Magnacut

[sal]

Niagara has bee stockpiling some steel grades and Spyderco has also been stockpiling certain grades, so the immediate needs will be met.

Our concern is for the oddball steels for which Crucible was the only source. I think 121 was one of those. So we're watching closely for available grades. We also work with other foundries in Europe and Japan. Also China is working on making their own versions of steels made in other foundries. Carpenter has also been a good source of blade steels.

sal

[Jeb]

Sal,

So if I am reading all this correctly, what we really need is for someone to go and get those really special rare earth minerals and bring them back to earth...

Just latch onto the whole darn asteroid and bring it all back here and at a slow enough decent that nobody or our asteroid burns up on re-entry. He can do this, if anybody can.

You got the various places all hooked up so that Spyderco gets their share, the lions share of coarse, we want to be greedy here for sure. Personally just Jeb's way here, we just keep the whole thing and not share.

Edit: Sorry to all I offended with my post here, never meant for it to be political in any form.

[apollo]

Sal,

So if I am reading all this correctly, what we really need is for Elon Musk to go and get those really special rare earth minerals and bring them back to earth...

Just latch onto the whole darn asteroid and bring it all back here and at a slow enough decent that nobody or our asteroid burns up on re-entry. He can do this, if anybody can.

You got the various places all hooked up so that Spyderco gets their share, the lions share of coarse, we want to be greedy here for sure. Personally just Jeb's way here, we just keep the whole thing and not share.

I think Spyderco will be fine for the future.
Like Sal says there are places enough they can get quality steel from. What happend to Crucible is sad but nothing new as supliers come and go in the end. Maybe some steels will not be used anymore but new steels will always hit the market that can easily replace them.

[jwesley235]

it seems I may have missed the boat on the last 121 made in my home town

All hope is not lost, they are still in stock at Knifecenter, a number are available on eBay and I regularly see them pop up on Reddit's knife swap.
~
Nobody asked me but I'd prefer not to buy Chinese steels, even if their chemistry matches CPM's, so I hope things don't trend that way. I'm glad I decided to get a knife in each of the CPM tool steels (even if my bank account is not), seems like it might be a good time to pick up duplicates of the more niche variants.

[twinboysdad]

Sal,

So if I am reading all this correctly, what we really need is for Elon Musk to go and get those really special rare earth minerals and bring them back to earth...

Just latch onto the whole darn asteroid and bring it all back here and at a slow enough decent that nobody or our asteroid burns up on re-entry. He can do this, if anybody can.

You got the various places all hooked up so that Spyderco gets their share, the lions share of coarse, we want to be greedy here for sure. Personally just Jeb's way here, we just keep the whole thing and not share.

Elon is the man, if he was assigned the task it would get done

[sal]

I believe that Elon is currently politically controversial and we avoid politics on this forum. Your kind understanding and cooperation is appreciated.

sal

*****************************************************************************************************************************
"It is easier to fool someone than to convince someone they've been fooled"

Mark Twain

[WilliamMunny]

Definitely have some FOMO on REX-121. I already have two 3” Spyderco knives in Maxamet so no need for this, but knowing it might be a one and done don’t want to miss out.

[Jeb]

Ooouppps! Sorry my bad. Understand completely.

[sal]

Nobody asked me but I'd prefer not to buy Chinese steels, even if their chemistry matches CPM's, so I hope things don't trend that way. I'm glad I decided to get a knife in each of the CPM tool steels (even if my bank account is not), seems like it might be a good time to pick up duplicates of the more niche variants.

Hi Jwesley,

If we use Chinese steels in our Chinese made models, that are made to match "named" steels like "Magnacut", We'll use the Chinese name so you know what it is and where it comes from. We'll probably also let you know what they copied so you have some idea of what it should do.

It would be interesting to get "Real World" comparisons from our folks here, which I trust to be more honest than many "out there".

sal
__________________________________________________________________________________________

"Loyalty before all else, except honor".

[Danke]

"Too late, too late" will be the cry when the man with REX121 has passed you by.

[bleasure]

Niagara has bee stockpiling some steel grades and Spyderco has also been stockpiling certain grades, so the immediate needs will be met.

Our concern is for the oddball steels for which Crucible was the only source. I think 121 was one of those. So we're watching closely for available grades. We also work with other foundries in Europe and Japan. Also China is working on making their own versions of steels made in other foundries. Carpenter has also been a good source of blade steels.

sal

Thank you kindly Sal, this is helpful to know. I expected there might be supply chain hangover in the short term, if I understand you correctly I'll keep my eyes peeled.

You put your finger on the other question on my mind as an interested observer; Crucible metals are so niche in this area, I am curious to see how things shake out.

[sal]

Actually, Bob at Niagara has been most helpful in this area. We're still waiting to see what grades will be available, at what prices and what the "new" names might be.

sal

[WilliamMunny]

Actually, Bob at Niagara has been most helpful in this area. We're still waiting to see what grades will be available, at what prices and what the "new" names might be.

sal

Sal,

In your long history in the knife industry have you ever seen an event like this, Crucible going out of business? While you seem very optimistic not knowing what steels will be available, new price points and potential impact on customers willingness to buy unfamiliar named steels seems to be pretty impactful to the knife industry.

[sal]

Hi WilliamMunny,

I've seen supply chains disrupted a number of times. We've also had our own internal crisis happen. All of it challenging, but you roll up your sleeves and go to work.

This is the biggest disruption I've seen in steel supply, but as I mentioned earlier, people like Bob at Niagara are working very hard to try to stabilize the transition. At this time, Erasteel has the IP for Crucible and will be making steel. Carpenter will also be making steel, so it's not like we won't have material. We still get steel from Bohler, Uddeholm, Hitachi, Takefu, etc. Names and pricing may be affected. Time lines for delivery will be affected for a while. We'll just have to be more careful to keep inventory both in the rolling mills like Niagara and in our own warehouses.

Sailing isn't always fair winds at your back. Sometimes you're sailing into the wind. Sometimes there are storms to contend with. sometimes there's no wind. Running a business in a niche industry like high performance knives always presents challenges that we have to deal with.

With the stroke of a pen, the UK could no longer carry locking knives or blades over 3". With the stroke of a pen, fossil fuels became challenging and expensive. Change is the only constant and adaptability is necessary for survival.

We will all extend out best effort to keep doing what we do. We hope that all of you will work with us.

sal

[cabfrank]

[WilliamMunny]

Hi WilliamMunny,

I've seen supply chains disrupted a number of times. We've also had our own internal crisis happen. All of it challenging, but you roll up your sleeves and go to work.

This is the biggest disruption I've seen in steel supply, but as I mentioned earlier, people like Bob at Niagara are working very hard to try to stabilize the transition. At this time, Erasteel has the IP for Crucible and will be making steel. Carpenter will also be making steel, so it's not like we won't have material. We still get steel from Bohler, Uddeholm, Hitachi, Takefu, etc. Names and pricing may be affected. Time lines for delivery will be affected for a while. We'll just have to be more careful to keep inventory both in the rolling mills like Niagara and in our own warehouses.

Sailing isn't always fair winds at your back. Sometimes you're sailing into the wind. Sometimes there are storms to contend with. sometimes there's no wind. Running a business in a niche industry like high performance knives always presents challenges that we have to deal with.

With the stroke of a pen, the UK could no longer carry locking knives or blades over 3". With the stroke of a pen, fossil fuels became challenging and expensive. Change is the only constant and adaptability is necessary for survival.

We will all extend out best effort to keep doing what we do. We hope that all of you will work with us.

sal

On the good side, maybe some new steels and innovations will come out of this. I don't think you need to worry about any Spyderco fans going anywhere, as I know my next knife purchase, whatever it is will be a Spyderco.

[Jeb]

My next knife is going to be a Spyderco as well. I've got some of the others, just like my Spyderco 's better.

[Steelearner]

I'm agree with Sal to be optimist for the supply chain. There's great foundry like erasteel or carpenter and others all over the world. The main problem will be the world commercial war would affect the cost for everyone. But Spyderco have the big advantage to have many factories in many part of the world. Maybe the steels name will change but the quality not because I believe in Spyderco to do the job even if it will be not easy. Life is an adventure that must be live to stay alive.