Rex 45 (Military) vs Cru-Wear (Shaman)

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DangerZone98

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Dec 7, 2019
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Greetings! Not looking for “this knife steel is flat-out better than that” debates. Just looking for information and insights on how these two steels with their respective knives compare to each other. Which steel are we expecting to have a higher degree of edge retention, toughness, edge stability at steeper angles, etc.

Intended purpose is light to moderate EDC use (cutting binding, opening packages, paring the occasional fruit, discreetly poking balloons at parties, etc.). Properties of the steel and your experience with it would be greatly appreciated.
 
Well for your listed use "surgical steel" would be fine.

In general Cru-Wear is a hair ahead of Rex-45. In practice it's too close to call.
 
Obviously, Rex45 is harder, meaning you can scratch a Cruwear blade with Rex45 but not vice versa.

On the other hand, and not sure why, in practice, my Rex45 knives wear faster than my Cruwear knives (same geometry, i.e. PM2 and Military).

Now, the Military and Shaman have such different geometries, that the steel matters less when comparing the two, IMO. Except that Cruwear is more corrosion resistant.

Roland.
 
I've owned plenty of both. Rex holds an edge way longer than Cru wear. But doesn't take abuse as well.

Cru wear is great all around but did not perform any better than S35VN for me. In fact. In can barely tell a difference between the two.

But that's just me flapping my gums.
 
BellaBlades said:
I've owned plenty of both. Rex holds an edge way longer than Cru wear. But doesn't take abuse as well.

Cru wear is great all around but did not perform any better than S35VN for me. In fact. In can barely tell a difference between the two.

But that's just me flapping my gums.
Click to expand...

Gum flapping appreciated man. Always interesting to know another fella’s experience with a knife or steel. Love learning about knives.
 
I guess I must "abuse" my knives in yard, work-shop and kitchen ... cutting zip-ties, hoses, electrical cables, etc., trimming plants (including bamboo), hitting the occasional staple when cutting boxes or bags, touching bone or cutting board in the kitchen, etc.
 
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I would think either steel would handle the tasks you mentioned very well. I’ve had good luck with fixed blades in Z-Wear which is almost identical to Cru-Wear.
I haven’t used my Rex45 military enough to see the difference. I also like K390, it stains more easily than the other two, but that’s not an issue with me. More importantly, what handle material/color do you like better with the steel you listed. I’d go with that before I’d go with the steel.
I’m not fond of orange, but the burnt orange looks good.
 
Both good choices, Rex/HAP40 has a larger carbide content and should have better edge retention, both are reasonably corrosion resistant for tool steels. Toughness is good on both, slightly better on Cruwear, both are reasonable for sharpening.0
 
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