Spyderco Paramilitary 2 REX-121 Wharncliffe ZrOC Black blade Orange Hex G10 Cutlery Shoppe Exclusive

DA170

DA170

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Spyderco Para Military 2 - 3.45" CPM-REX 121 Black ZrOC Blade Finish Wharncliffe Blade - HEX Pattern Orange G-10 Scales - CUTLERY SHOPPE EXCLUSIVE - C81GPWCORRX121BK2 $285.00​

Drop 04/17 @ 10AM Mountain Time

This Cutlery Shoppe exclusive version of the PM2 is the ONLY one that will ever feature a Crucible Industries CPM REX 121 blade. This special edition is also the first offering from Spyderco with their new VaporTech ZrOC (zirconium oxycarbide) blade finish.

  • Specs:
  • Category End Use: EDC/Collector
  • Blade Steel: CPM REX 121
  • Blade Grind: FFG (full flat grind)
  • Blade Length: 3.45" (88 mm)
  • Length Open: 8.26" (210 mm)
  • Length Closed: 4.82" (122 mm)
  • Blade Thickness: .145" (3.7 mm)
  • Hole Diameter: .5" (13 mm)
  • Lock Type: Compression
  • Scale Material: Orange G-10
  • Scale Pattern: Cutlery Shoppe Exclusive HEX
  • Tip Carry: Tip-Up/Down
  • Clip Position: Four Way
  • Weight: 3.8 oz. (108 g)
  • Made In: U.S.A.
    More about CPM-REX 121 steel
    Crucible Industries’ CPM REX 121 is a high-vanadium, cobalt-bearing tool steel designed to offer the greatest wear resistance and attainable hardness in a high speed steel. Created to bridge the performance gap between high-alloy tool steels and carbide materials in demanding industrial applications, when applied to knife blades, REX 121 offers extreme hardness and unequaled edge retention.

    IMG_8532.jpeg

    ​
 
I get using that coating for colors other than black, but is it just cheapening out to not use dlc for this?
 
kreole said:
I get using that coating for colors other than black, but is it just cheapening out to not use dlc for this?
Click to expand...
The DLC Spyderco used was not “in house” so I’m assuming the new coating (different colors too) is going to be a cost cutting measure eventually. Supposedly they spent a ton of money ,during factory expansion, on the setup needed for this new process.
Eric talks a little about it @ 7:18 mark
 
So yeah cost cutting. I'm surprised they didn't go for another color for the debut
 
So disappointed it's not DLC. ZrOC is not nearly in the same class as DLC for hardness, wear resistance, etc. Especially on this rare bird, what a missed opportunity. Yes, I'd rather have paid $30 more for DLC. ETA - Also, I'd have rather paid $20 less for the uncoated knife had I known it wasn't going to be DLC. Bummer.
 
SpyderPhreak said:
So disappointed it's not DLC. ZrOC is not nearly in the same class as DLC for hardness, wear resistance, etc. Especially on this rare bird, what a missed opportunity. Yes, I'd rather have paid $30 more for DLC. ETA - Also, I'd have rather paid $20 less for the uncoated knife had I known it wasn't going to be DLC. Bummer.
Click to expand...
They know the knife will probably sell out! I’m pretty sure this is going to be the default process (over DLC) going forward out of Golden factory. I’m not going to make any judgements until I actually use the new coating and see how it lasts.
 
DA170 said:
They know the knife will probably sell out!
Click to expand...
I have no doubt, simply because REX-121...

DA170 said:
I’m pretty sure this is going to be the default process (over DLC) going forward out of Golden factory.
Click to expand...
Probably correct. Less costly, and can be done in-house (which means even more $$ savings for Spyderco). They would have zero incentive to use DLC unless it was spec'd on a custom exclusive.

DA170 said:
I’m not going to make any judgements until I actually use the new coating and see how it lasts.
Click to expand...
Sadly, there is NO way it will be as durable as DLC! About the only thing it might do better, is it might have slightly higher corrosion resistance. And colors other than black, if a person cares about that. Maybe we'll get a pink donut Spydie! 🤣
 
I'm not sure what the issue is/was with DLC, but since one generally doesn't fix what's not broken, there must have been some issue. That said, I have zero doubt that Spyderco will do everything possible to recoup their capital outlay. Their use of DLC may very well be going the way of the dodo. Going forward...

Screenshot 2026-04-11 at 7.15.39 AM.png
 
I like this one.
I would be in line for it, but the timing is not good for a purchase like this.

Good looking knife
 
on_the_edge said:
I'm not sure what the issue is/was with DLC, but since one generally doesn't fix what's not broken, there must have been some issue. That said, I have zero doubt that Spyderco will do everything possible to recoup their capital outlay. Their use of DLC may very well be going the way of the dodo. Going forward...

View attachment 3156753
Click to expand...
Nothing better about it for black. They said they wanted more colors and to move in house (cheaper)
 
Anyone know if cpm 121 will continue to be made? Or is it a finite steel that is done since CPM went bankrupt?
 
P2P said:
Anyone know if cpm 121 will continue to be made? Or is it a finite steel that is done since CPM went bankrupt?
Click to expand...
I believe CPM-121 is discontinued. The purchaser of Crucible's assets does not have the equipment to make it.
 
Erasteel hasn’t committed to make REX-121 or 15V. Not sure but I read somewhere that their capabilities didn’t allow for production of these 2 alloys!
 
Live at Cutlery Shoppe Now!

Spyderco Para Military 2 - 3.45" CPM-REX 121 Black ZrOC Blade Finish Wharncliffe Blade - HEX Pattern Orange G-10 Scales - CUTLERY SHOPPE EXCLUSIVE - C81GPWCORRX121BK2 $285.00​

 
P2P said:
And sold out!
Click to expand...
Had a feeling this was going to sellout within minutes, especially for what the satin versions are going for on EBay! Entered card info temporarily, into safari autofill this morning ,because of the interest for this release.
 
P2P said:
Anyone know if cpm 121 will continue to be made? Or is it a finite steel that is done since CPM went bankrupt?
Click to expand...
DA170 said:
Erasteel hasn’t committed to make REX-121 or 15V. Not sure but I read somewhere that their capabilities didn’t allow for production of these 2 alloys!
Click to expand...
I seem to recall Sal saying (over on the Spyderco home forum) that REX-121 was done and there were no plans to make more under the Erasteel label. As such, note the description on these 3 drops at CS... "This Cutlery Shoppe exclusive version of the PM2 is the ONLY one that will ever feature a Crucible Industries CPM REX 121 blade." Granted, they're not wrong, with CPM in the description.

DA170 said:
Had a feeling this was going to sellout within minutes, especially for what the satin versions are going for on EBay! Entered card info temporarily, into safari autofill this morning ,because of the interest for this release.
Click to expand...
Would have been nice if it had actually gone live on time at 10. What's 20 seconds? 🤣 Was sold out by 10:03. Yes, I grabbed one.

I'm wondering if they are going to have any of the regular blades in the new coated/blacked out version in the future? I have a suspicion that they won't, that they might have taken some of the wharnies out of the first production run and did those as coated/blacked out. Would explain why those seemed in shorter supply during the first drop of uncoated.
 
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