Spyderco Forums

Ready to grab a Para 3 in Orange REX45, or Red CPM 4V. I can get one or the other new for about $229. Can anyone with experience, or knowledge please tell me about these steels?

If you search, there's a member that's done some great reviews on both of these. Very detailed with hard use. Username is "Deadboxhero"

Btw, those are some ridiculous prices for those knives. Is that really the best deal out there for them??

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 04, 2018 7:09 pm

Btw, those are some ridiculous prices for those knives. Is that really the best deal out there for them??

While I agree with you, that's pretty close to MSRP for these knives so it's not too crazy.

Which one do you think you would like more as an EDC?

tps3443 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 04, 2018 5:49 pm

Ready to grab a Para 3 in Orange REX45, or Red CPM 4V. I can get one or the other new for about $229. Can anyone with experience, or knowledge please tell me about these steels?

Neither one is worth the price you just quoted. $200 max if the steel you really want is in a platform, pm3, you just have to have. $230 is really over the top and is firmly in the price gouging territory.


We're not talking about a paysan with rex 45 here. The one with 4V with a beautifully done marbled carbon fiber was probably worth $185 (mostly sold for more), and marbled carbon fiber, especially stuff as nice as the exclusive manix showed it, is freaking expensive. You're talking about a pm3 with nothing special about it except for the steel. Take a step back, man.

For a blade that small, I'd personally go with Rex45. The added toughness of the 4v isn't something I'd anticipate being very useful in a small EDC blade like that.

TomAiello wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 04, 2018 9:46 pm

For a blade that small, I'd personally go with Rex45. The added toughness of the 4v isn't something I'd anticipate being very useful in a small EDC blade like that.

Can you say how rex 45 is a better steel for small blades than 4v? How the toughness of 4V shouldn't be welcomed at the edge of a smaller knife? Just picking your brain. I don't see how toughness at the edge is ever detrimental regardless of the steel.

I have both in the Para 3 format. Honestly, I think their both a bit much for a knife that size. I haven't tried cutting a car in half like they appear to be capable of, but I find them both quite similar. Guess it depends if you want a particular scale color or virtually stainless vs dlc.

I remember Shawn (deadboxhero) saying that REX 45 took and held a more aggressive edge as compared to 4V. And in his video doing a brass rod test with both M4 and REX 45 he demonstrated that REX 45 could take quite a bit of abuse at the edge without damage.

Heck, if you don't already have one...do yourself a favor and get the BBS M390 Para 3 for a lot cheaper. Those prices, I can't get over them for a knife the size of a Para 3. Hate to see someone pay those prices for those knives when they dropped at around $140 and $155.

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 04, 2018 10:04 pm

Heck, if you don't already have one...do yourself a favor and get the BBS M390 Para 3 for a lot cheaper. Those prices, I can't get over them for a knife the size of a Para 3. Hate to see someone pay those prices for those knives when they dropped at around $140 and $155.

I believe the BBS M390 Para 3 is now sold out.

OP, I won't tell you what to do with your money but I have to agree with the other guys. If I missed out on those knives I'd be patient and wait for the next cool sprint or exclusive to come along and jump on that one. If you really want to try 4V I can almost guarantee that St. NIcks will be doing a exclusive 4V PM2 at some point. I'm sure there'll be plenty of other desirable models with great steel coming too.

Seems the rex45 has been made with high hardness and not a laminate. This is a bit more interesting than the 4v, which is a steel a like and I’m glad they made. But honestly, these are knives to add to a collection. If you don’t have the s110v, save some money and get that unless one or the other is really calling you.

https://youtu.be/WOpu13O_OFE

https://youtu.be/fsc8CsdDU1c

Unfortunately his test videos for 4V are all non spyderco's with different hardness's than spydercos para 3. So not much good for comparison to the rex 45. Honestly though Rex 45, 4V, Maxamet, S110V.... I seriously doubt you'd be disappointed with any of those steels. If FRN handles aren't an issue for you (I really like the light weights) you might consider a Maxamet Manix LW or Native 5 LW. They are still availible for about $155 USD.

I love this vid
https://youtu.be/KZPKIC8oCbE

I would try and get the KnifeCenter Para 3 Cruwear if they come back in stock. You'll save $100, which is a lot!

I have the 4V from St Nick's, love it. Missed the Rex45 sprint, I know the Military is coming out in it, at some point.
If you are dying for a Para 3, great knife if you don't have one, score the Cruwear exclusive that is out. I think it was under $140. I have the PM2 in this set up and love it.
Happy spending!

I still think the video above (steel on brass) shows that Rex45 is harder than RexM4, not tougher.

So, if you want hard on your PM3, go with Rex45, or - more affordably today - S110V. If you want tough against chipping, you could go with CPM CW (tougher than 4V), or the still available s35vn.

I have 4v in the Manix 2 that is still available, and I _love_ that knife, but compared to my Rex45 knives there is more sharpening involved.

Roland.

tps3443 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 04, 2018 5:49 pm

Ready to grab a Para 3 in Orange REX45, or Red CPM 4V. I can get one or the other new for about $229. Can anyone with experience, or knowledge please tell me about these steels?

Can't go wrong with either, just pic the one you think looks better :)

However, there is something special about the REX45 run IMO. That's the one I would go for.

ferider wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 05, 2018 8:52 am

I still think the video above (steel on brass) shows that Rex45 is harder than RexM4, not tougher.

So, if you want hard on your PM3, go with Rex45, or - more affordably today - S110V. If you want tough against chipping, you could go with CPM CW (tougher than 4V), or the still available s35vn.

I have 4v in the Manix 2 that is still available, and I _love_ that knife, but compared to my Rex45 knives there is more sharpening involved.

Roland.

Roland, since you have both REX 45 and 4V, what would you consider the pluses and minuses of the two steels head to head from your usage?

For bonus points, add CPM Cru-Wear into the comparison. I'm sure many of us would be interested.

I don't have the time for testing.

I'm busy researching other steels, making knives and getting special vitrified bonded stones made.


I like the Rex45 better because it seems to hold a crisper and more aggressive edge longer then the 4v in my day to day use in rotations. The 4v gets very keen but it seems to lose that edge sooner then Rex45

The rex 45 isn't brittle or difficult to sharpen and very responsive to honing and stropping.


I only like 4v at really high hardness at 64-67rc but you won't find that in production.


Cruwear is nice. Just get that one from knifecenter and save some cash.

4v may be a little tougher then Cruwear but Cruwear has alot more going for it. Takes a better edge, deburrs better and has more aggression at the edge. Cruwear can go high polish or or toothy and is very responsive to stropping reminds me of super blue in that regard.

I still really enjoy the 4v para 3 though. Just splitting hairs here. They all cut great.