CPM REX 45

[Curtissii]

I got into Spyderco too late for anything in Rex 45 do I need to keep an eye out or give up?

[xceptnl]

I would say, at this point, shopping the secondary market for REX45 would be a better bet than holding out for a new production run. I think the latest Smock exclusive is the last model I have seen available in this steel.

[8th_Note]

I got into Spyderco too late for anything in Rex 45 do I need to keep an eye out or give up?

Just fyi, HAP40 (which was used in several Seki sprints) is identical to REX45.

[WilliamMunny]

I got into Spyderco too late for anything in Rex 45 do I need to keep an eye out or give up?

There is a REX-76 PM2 out there that are great looking, very similar to REX-45.

https://www.gpknives.com/spyderco-para- ... k-gray-g10

[Skywalker]

Can I ask why REX45 in particular? If you're looking for high wear resistance tool steel treated to high hardness, you might consider K390 or 15V for models currently available.

If it's REX45 and no substitution will suffice, as xceptnl said secondary market is probably a better bet than waiting on new production given current uncertainty around Crucible steel availability.

[abbazaba]

M4 is also basically the same, and a great option that is generally more available.

[GarageBoy]

REX 45 still has higher apex stability vs K390, right?

The latest exclusives were the smock, and the white Para 3 LW and the white Manix 2 LW at GPKnives

[Jeb]

I tried to get the Smock in the REX45, that didn't happen lol. The only good part to that, is the Smock is such a small knife I don't EDC it on my person, it gets carried in one of my trucks in the event I have lost the edge on the bigger knives I do carry on me everyday.

I do however really like my Smock, the thing is awesome really as it is now with the few mods made to it; just the one exception of the S30V steel. You have to use it sparingly lol. It's not like my REX121 in my Sage5.

I hope to get one of the Sage 6's in a sprint run of S90V, at least it has better edge retention than my S30V. My S30V around here is about the lowest production knife steel I will buy and only when there is nothing to upgrade to.

[TkoK83Spy]

Doesn't seem to be a lot of reasonably priced options out there for Rex45 at the moment. Bento Box Shop has a few, but certainly not at prices I'd be willing to pay. I'm guessing eBay is probably likely the same. Maybe Bladeforums for sale or want to buy sections?

[Jeb]

With the recent trouble we have had with the forum running so slow and all, I cannot even begin to imagine how much Kristi has worked to keep our forum working and everything else she probably does...

There is always some Slug, out there that has to ruin the whole thing for all of us. It would be neat to have a market place on this forum though.

A Market for applicable goods, Spyderco stuff; just opening that door alone would most likely cause so many more Slugs in the back door Kristi would probably need a raise to Senior VP with an extra 0 or two, added on her paycheck and most importantly half the meds I take to keep my horns and tail in check.

There is lots of expensive meds involved in that too, so they too would need to be paid for lol... It would be really cool if we could have the new Spyderco stuff we can buy off their website here in one section.

Then a used section for Spyderco products that all of us could trade, sale and/or swap. I just know it's impossible though because of the few slugs. It would really be neat, except for what Kristi would have to do to just try and keep the slugs out.

Heck it might even be so bad for her, she may have to take the same dose of meds I take, and it's enough for a large horse lol...There ain't anything that good I would wish on anyone lol.

Just wishing we could have a market place on this forum and everything stay calm and run like it can without the slugs.

[Brock O Lee]

I got into Spyderco too late for anything in Rex 45 do I need to keep an eye out or give up?

Just fyi, HAP40 (which was used in several Seki sprints) is identical to REX45.

This is true, with one caveat. Seki's HAP40 was heat treated not quite as hard as Golden's REX45, and there was a noticeable difference in performance. The consensus was that REX45 had better edge stability and wear resistance than the equivalent HAP40.

[Brock O Lee]

Just wishing we could have a market place on this forum...

This was requested frequently in the past, but rejected. Spyderco said they prefer to keep the forum free of buy/sell drama and the related admin, if I remember correctly.

[barnaclesonaboat]

@Curtissii I picked up the recent Manix 2 LW "stormtrooper" release in REX45 and I must say I understand your interest - it's my second favorite steel even though I only have it on that one knife (15V is #1). The edge stability is nuts and allows for very thin edges, and there's only a few models in which I wouldn't buy a new REX45 release. If any dealers out there are listening - make your next exlusive in REX45!

[xceptnl]

I got into Spyderco too late for anything in Rex 45 do I need to keep an eye out or give up?

Just fyi, HAP40 (which was used in several Seki sprints) is identical to REX45.

This is true, with one caveat. Seki's HAP40 was heat treated not quite as hard as Golden's REX45, and there was a noticeable difference in performance. The consensus was that REX45 had better edge stability and wear resistance than the equivalent HAP40.

Having used and sharpened both, I can attest to a difference in edge retention, but really only if your counting cuts. Despite the hardness differences, I still classify these as the same. To compare for yourself, the Caly 3 sprint in Hap shows up regularly for sub $100. Snag one and see for yourself. I found a previously loved Rex45 PM2 in that same price range. It just requires diligence.

[Snacktime]

Rex45 was epic when it came out. Seemed like it spawned the tool steel craze for a while. This was when sprints sold out in minutes, was kind of hard to get them even new.

I wouldn't prioritize Rex45 over getting K390 or 15v while it is available. Eventually the current steels will go away, so don't pass up a current sprint run.

[Wartstein]

Just fyi, HAP40 (which was used in several Seki sprints) is identical to REX45.

This is true, with one caveat. Seki's HAP40 was heat treated not quite as hard as Golden's REX45, and there was a noticeable difference in performance. The consensus was that REX45 had better edge stability and wear resistance than the equivalent HAP40.

So this IS true indeed?
From what I read they actually could not heat treat HAP40 like they can REX 45, due to the former being laminated with SUS410 (just repeating what I recall, I have no idea wether this is a fact or not).

[Jeb]

You know a sprint run on the Manix 2XL in REX45 I would not pass up on a couple of those if given the opportunity to purchase them lol. That might just be quite the knife...

[Mage7]

I got into Spyderco too late for anything in Rex 45 do I need to keep an eye out or give up?

There is a REX-76 PM2 out there that are great looking, very similar to REX-45.

https://www.gpknives.com/spyderco-para- ... k-gray-g10

Man, I want one of those so bad, but really only for the Rex 76. I don't care much for the PM2 or think that it's worth nearly $225 once taxes come into play. Sadly all I can find on eBay are scalpers trying to flip the Mule for 2x what it cost.

Anyway, as others have been pointing out, the things where Rex45 excels over other steels like K390 or 15V is edge stability. It will hold a keener edge longer, even though those steels will hold a working edge longer. I wouldn't expect the same characteristics from HAP40 or M4 without the same hardness. Which is another reason that Rex76 is so appealing as it is apparently ran even harder than the Rex45.

[Jeb]

Don't worry about those scalpers out there, I have been buying plenty from them here lately at twice the msrp, not just Mules either, I have bought a couple of the Manix 2XL from them too.

You miss the sprint run on the better stuff and that is what you like and want, I have found myself on my hands and knees more or less.

Just glad I can do that and get those I am wanting, since this is truly a want for my spyder bite infection.

The one I have been really questioning here lately though is these neat little knives with the really great steel, we don't ever get on the bigger knives; heck I buy those and just flat-out won't carry them.

So, basically just collecting them, I may be able to not buy those so much anymore, least it sounding more and more promising lol.

[Brock O Lee]

Two factory edges are no more... REX-45 is not unpleasant to sharpen with diamonds, and takes a great edge.