Could we see a Rex-121 mule?

[Tucson Tom]

I start to wonder about Rex-121. I did some searching and reading last night. Maybe it is possible to get too carried away with this business of edge retention? A balancing property is "sharpenability" -- if that is even a word. Some of the steels that I enjoy a lot are steels with a balance of properties. Like PD-1 or Cruwear. Reasonably corrosion resistant, decent edge holding, but easy to sharpen. Also 52100 is a favorite of mine -- because I can get it amazingly sharp with almost no effort (and no wizard like sharpening skills). Something else to consider is that extreme steels like Maxamet and perhaps Rex-121 can get brittle. Part of the trick with 15V was a special heat treat protocol that coped with that tendency.

Having said all that, it doesn't mean I'm not interested in REX-121 -- the mule team is all about exploring the frontiers in knife steels.

[Steeltoez83]

There were quite a few ppl voicing interest in rex 121 on here. Spyderco listened to them and delivered beyond expectation imo. I'm happy for them and can't wait to see the testimonies from users who bought them. Right now I'm far more interested in a mule team made from s60v over rex 121.

[sal]

Well, a Mule in Rex 121 is not likely to happen for a variety of reasons; The material is very difficult to work with and trying to make a blade n the material as large as a Mule was deemed to be strife with problems. Sorry 'bout that. We do what we can. Maybe some time in the future, we'll find a way?

So I guess for now, the Sage is the way.

sal

[legOFwhat?]

Well, a Mule in Rex 121 is not likely to happen for a variety of reasons; The material is very difficult to work with and trying to make a blade n the material as large as a Mule was deemed to be strife with problems. Sorry 'bout that. We do what we can. Maybe some time in the future, we'll find a way?

So I guess for now, the Sage is the way.

sal

Even though this saddens me, I appreciate that it was even tried. Would have been a grail for me.

Sal, the MuleTeam has meant a great deal to me and I want to thank you for keeping it going!

[standy99]

Well, a Mule in Rex 121 is not likely to happen for a variety of reasons; The material is very difficult to work with and trying to make a blade n the material as large as a Mule was deemed to be strife with problems. Sorry 'bout that. We do what we can. Maybe some time in the future, we'll find a way?

So I guess for now, the Sage is the way.

sal

Even though this saddens me, I appreciate that it was even tried. Would have been a grail for me.

Sal, the MuleTeam has meant a great deal to me and I want to thank you for keeping it going!

Ditto on the Mule team appreciation. Also understand the issues with working a such high hardness steel would A) push the price up and B) wear out equipment

[sal]

Hi Standy,

The major issue is warping in production, in addition to difficult working, price and equipment.

sal

[p_atrick]

Sal,

For a layman like myself, could you explain the phenomena of warping? I've heard it mentioned in relation to the Maxamet Military. Both Maxamet and 121 are carbide-rich and wear-resistant. The length of the Military blade and a Mule (from tip to end) are much longer than your typical pocket knife blade. Is it the combination of hardness, carbide-density, and length that lead to warping?

When does warping occur? Are you getting steel from the foundry that is already warped? Is the heat treating process that causes it? Grinding?

[sal]

Hi P_atrick,

Usually it's a combination of the length and heat treat. In this case, the extreme hardness makes it very difficult to try to straighten. This is one of those situations where being able to bring you a "Piece of the stuff" has challenges.

sal

[Jimandchris2]

I would be in For ONE. However I'm not sure exactly how i'm going to sharpen the thing consistently. Any guidance is respectfully accepted.

[Skidoosh]

Sal,
Thanks for the sage, great platform to experiment with steels.

[defenestrate]

Would love to see a REX121 mule, but maybe it will be a lot more feasible a few years down the road as the manufacturing technology evolves?