Flash in the pan steels

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Maximumbob54

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There's been a slew of what I consider new steels in the last ten years or so. At least new to being in blades. They were all the talk, they had the hype, and then they just don't seem to stick.

I'm going to pick on REX-45. I can't be the only one that hadn't heard of this prior to Spyderco doing some sprint runs. What was it about this particular steel that caused all the initial hype? Or what was it that seems to have just under whelmed everyone?

What are some other steels that seemed amazing at the time that ultimately faded away for the next shiny new?
 
If my memory is correct, Spyderco used REX 45 because it was the US equivalent to the HAP40 they had used on their Japanese knives. Their customers wanted US made knives in HAP 40, so Spyderco used REX 45 as it is an equivalent. Both are really good steels, but it takes a certain amount of market demand before a steel becomes a "hit". It would likely still be popular, but the then Maxamet came along and then 15V was announced. Too many new steel choices in a short period of time. Not everything is going to make it.
 
I had to jump off the new steel train as I had already surpassed my needs in steel. Cruwear & MC are enough for me, though I too ended up with Maxamet! I have resisted 15V, M398, and REX 121 as they are far beyond any needs I have.

My new-to-me steel lately has been AEB-L (and close relatives) which performs well beyond my expectations. Doesn't hurt that it is significantly more affordable.
 
There are a bunch that only got released on a few knives and disappeared, but I think the few cases where a steel actually made it big and then disappeared are more interesting. Like BG42, it was widely used and became the official steel for Chris Reeve, but it became hard to source for knives due to increased demand in its intended use for aircraft bearings. CTS-XHP was really popular, too, and became the main steel for Cold Steel before availability issues caused makers to move away from it as well.

The biggest flash in the pan, though, IMO, was S30V. It was everywhere, and considered the benchmark for a good knife. Now it only seems to show up on niche knives when companies need to use up their steel inventory; everyone has switched to S35VN since it's easier to machine.
 
Vanadis 4 is one i didn't see much of outside of a couple knives, even though I like it.

I think S45VN is the next dodo. It seemed to be used in placed of S35VN by some manufacturers because I guess a bigger number looks better 🤔:P. However I am seeing most of those brands just jump to Magnacut.
 
Tsujigiri said:
There are a bunch that only got released on a few knives and disappeared, but I think the few cases where a steel actually made it big and then disappeared are more interesting. Like BG42, it was widely used and became the official steel for Chris Reeve, but it became hard to source for knives due to increased demand in its intended use for aircraft bearings. CTS-XHP was really popular, too, and became the main steel for Cold Steel before availability issues caused makers to move away from it as well.

The biggest flash in the pan, though, IMO, was S30V. It was everywhere, and considered the benchmark for a good knife. Now it only seems to show up on niche knives when companies need to use up their steel inventory; everyone has switched to S35VN since it's easier to machine.
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I seem to recall Spyderco is still using it in their new knives? The Bodacious is S30V, as is the Edgerati if I recall correctly?
 
SharpBits said:
I sometimes think Spyderco secretly replaced one of the mountains in Colorado with their stash of S30v and black G10. 😂 They never seem to run out of it.
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At least they do a good job with it. S30V is far from exciting anymore but their heat treatment on it is spot on and doesn't chip out like my 940 has. And the 940 has that girth you wouldn't think would chip out while pretty much all Spyderco edges are as thin as you are likely to find in a production knife.
 
Ikhnaton said:
I seem to recall Spyderco is still using it in their new knives? The Bodacious is S30V, as is the Edgerati if I recall correctly?
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It does pop up from time to time, but that leads me to believe that they don't anticipate the Bodacious selling well. The last S30V knife I got was a Benchmade 85, which is pretty niche and I don't think even sold as well as they were hoping for.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
There's been a slew of what I consider new steels in the last ten years or so. At least new to being in blades. They were all the talk, they had the hype, and then they just don't seem to stick.

I'm going to pick on REX-45. I can't be the only one that hadn't heard of this prior to Spyderco doing some sprint runs. What was it about this particular steel that caused all the initial hype? Or what was it that seems to have just under whelmed everyone?

What are some other steels that seemed amazing at the time that ultimately faded away for the next shiny new?
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If all you've explored is K390 with no desire to explore further, why does it matter?
 
Sadly for me, it seems like CTS XHP has lost favor. A steel that I REALLY like, but it's not around too much anymore, at least from what I can tell.
 
sodak said:
Sadly for me, it seems like CTS XHP has lost favor. A steel that I REALLY like, but it's not around too much anymore, at least from what I can tell.
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Unfortunately, the knife industry does not drive the steel industry.

The knife industry siphons off of the steel industry.

The knife industry buys steel per pound.

The steel industry needs industries that buy steel per ton.

Carpenter focuses more on aerospace industry which is far more profitable than the knife industry.

One of the big problems with xhp was that it wasn't very stainless.

It was still a neat steel.
 
sodak said:
Sadly for me, it seems like CTS XHP has lost favor. A steel that I REALLY like, but it's not around too much anymore, at least from what I can tell.
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Just released in October

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