REX45 vs. CPM 4V

[Deadboxhero]

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 s110v isn't hard like the rex 45, it's in the very low 60s HRC
it's just packed at high volume with very hard carbides that are harder then the steel.

That makes it cut longer but has nothing to do with staying sharper longer, aslo it increases the brittleness so it won't do well on the brass.

If you open a can of food with s110v it will look like a saw blade.

Rex 45 will not. Why?
It's harder yet more stable thanks to having less carbide volume and finer carbides.

[blues]

Thanks for the breakdown, Shawn. Good stuff as always.

[Deadboxhero]

Thanks for the breakdown, Shawn. Good stuff as always.

Haha thanks Elliott.


...lunger xD

[Pelagic]

I also vote for snagging a cruwear sprint.

[blues]

Thanks for the breakdown, Shawn. Good stuff as always.

Haha thanks Elliott.


...lunger xD

Wow. Drive by shooting. I never thought I'd see the day.

[Deadboxhero]

Law don't go round here.

Thanks for the breakdown, Shawn. Good stuff as always.

Haha thanks Elliott.


...lunger xD

Wow. Drive by shooting. I never thought I'd see the day.

[Deadboxhero]

I also vote for snagging a cruwear sprint.

https://imgur.com/a/3kFjJvr

[blues]

"I heard you the first time!"

Law don't go round here.

Thanks for the breakdown, Shawn. Good stuff as always.

Haha thanks Elliott.


...lunger xD

Wow. Drive by shooting. I never thought I'd see the day.

[Deadboxhero]

LMAO

"I heard you the first time!"

Law don't go round here.

Haha thanks Elliott.


...lunger xD

Wow. Drive by shooting. I never thought I'd see the day.

[p_atrick]

...getting special vitrified bonded stones made.

Care to share any more about this? Will this be a limited run or will someplace like Gritomatic regularly stock them?

[ferider]

Roland s110v isn't hard like the rex 45, it's in the very low 60s HRC
it's just packed at high volume with very hard carbides that are harder then the steel.

That makes it cut longer but has nothing to do with staying sharper longer, aslo it increases the brittleness so it won't do well on the brass.

If you open a can of food with s110v it will look like a saw blade.

Rex 45 will not. Why?
It's harder yet more stable thanks to having less carbide volume and finer carbides.

Agree with your conclusion, Shawn. Still 63-64 HRC is not too bad (s110v Military hardness per Ankerson), similar to Spyderco Rex M4 (64?), and I wouldn't want to open a can with any Para 3. And the PM3 in s110v is available everywhere, for < 160 bucks. The 4v Manix (as can opener) is another story. Just saying

Roland.

PS: Note that after I accidentally broke my Maxamet Manix 2 blade with not too much effort (I assume they only make a LW Maxamet Manix for a reason), Rex 45 has now ascended to my favorite steel for PM2 and PM3.

[ferider]

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.

Unfortunately, I can’t give something even close to scientific, Blues. Partially, because Spyderco doesn’t do Rex 45 in the Manix. My two hard use knives now are the CPM Cruwear and 4V Manix, and I use them depending on the blade shape that I need. That 4V hollow ground tip is great for yard stuff, zip ties, car and bike work, etc. My Cruwear Manix is a great slicer, food, etc., I just wore it for a weak outdoors in WY. My Rex 45 knives (PM2 and PM3), are nice to EDC at my day job (software), for the very casual use in kitchen or office. On my wet stone, the Cruwear and 4v Manixes feel similar. My Rex 45 PM still have factory edge.

Roland.

[blues]

Thanks, Roland. Wyoming is a favorite place of mine. Spent a lot of time climbing in the Wind Rivers in years past. (And motorcycling across the state, visiting National Parks etc.)

[Deadboxhero]

...getting special vitrified bonded stones made.

Care to share any more about this? Will this be a limited run or will someplace like Gritomatic regularly stock them?

Nothing right now, see ya in 2019

[Deadboxhero]

Roland s110v isn't hard like the rex 45, it's in the very low 60s HRC
it's just packed at high volume with very hard carbides that are harder then the steel.

That makes it cut longer but has nothing to do with staying sharper longer, aslo it increases the brittleness so it won't do well on the brass.

If you open a can of food with s110v it will look like a saw blade.

Rex 45 will not. Why?
It's harder yet more stable thanks to having less carbide volume and finer carbides.

Agree with your conclusion, Shawn. Still 63-64 HRC is not too bad (s110v Military hardness per Ankerson), similar to Spyderco Rex M4 (64?), and I wouldn't want to open a can with any Para 3. And the PM3 in s110v is available everywhere, for < 160 bucks. The 4v Manix (as can opener) is another story. Just saying

Roland.

PS: Note that after I accidentally broke my Maxamet Manix 2 blade with not too much effort (I assume they only make a LW Maxamet Manix for a reason), Rex 45 has now ascended to my favorite steel for PM2 and PM3.

I do enjoy me some s110v and availability is king

[tps3443]

I like S110V a lot. I really do, but it does chip about once a week I guess. If you avoid touching metal all together it won’t chip, but accidents happen and that’s just how S110V is.

Fortunately Wicked Edge has mailed me a new pair of “Jaws” for my Sharpening setup no questions asked! So I’m back up and running again.

Pretty sure I’m leaning towards REX 45 guys. That is a Crazy tough edge it has! I wouldn’t know what to do with a knife that doesn’t chip! Lol

[Sumdumguy]

I enjoyed Rex45 for the brief time I had it and the color was on point!

[Woodpuppy]

The more I hear about rex45 the happier I am I got a p3 and pm2! Haven’t carried them much, been using M4 and now trying cruwear.

[TkoK83Spy]

The more I hear about rex45 the happier I am I got a p3 and pm2! Haven’t carried them much, been using M4 and now trying cruwear.

Same here. Ever since getting that BHQ exclusive, it's hard to put it away. I can get the sharpest edge on that knife than any other I own. Also still very partial to the M390 as well. I need more pockets or more hands to use all these Para 3's!

[Woodpuppy]

Agreed! M4 definately impresses. The only downside is it does corrode quickly in the right circumstances. During a solid day of post-hurricane cleanup in Florida, mine started pitting. I just need to remember to carry a Salt on sweaty days