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Advice, Folders, Review

Spyderco Sage 6 REX 121 –C123GPBOR – One week of Tango (part 2)

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Disclosure: This is the same Sage 6 REX 121 as my last review, only one week later, provided by Spyderco as a complimentary review sample through the Spyderco Ambassador Program. Receiving this amazing knife does not influence my opinions. Spyderco does not preview, edit, or approve my reviews, and all conclusions are based solely on my own testing and experience.

I call this Sage 6 “Tango”.

Why Tango? Because orange is the color that immediately comes to mind when I look at it — and because the name evokes the Argentine tango dancers of the early 20th century, with their flamboyant, warm-colored clothing.

So, for the rest of this review, Tango it is.

And this particular knife is about to take us somewhere rather unusual: into the world of REX 121, one of the most extreme cutting steels I have ever had the pleasure — and sometimes the frustration — of using.

The Sage 6 Rex121 is not without its flaws. Like every Sage I’ve used, the quillon at the choil is just a little too sharp for my index finger.

The idea was simple: just knock the edge down a bit with a diamond file.
Well, it’s moments like this that make you realize just what a fucking bastard of a steel REX 121 is to file!! Pardon my French.

And on that note, I still haven’t achieved the convex edge I ultimately want.
One thing is certain: REX 121, with its huge percentage of tungsten and cobalt, responds politely only to diamond.

As I’m rather clumsy, I use gaffer tape to protect my blade’sides from scratches I might otherwise cause. Diamonds are unforgiving.
And remember I don’t really sharpen; I reshape that edge, rounding off the angle and turning the original bevel into something more convex and organic — and, above all, much easier to maintain freehand.

The result is immediately apparent in my test, where I push-cut through the bottom of a Coca-Cola plastic bottle. The plastic is thickest right in the center of the bottle’s base, where it corresponds to the injection gate used to form the bottle.

Straight out of the box, Tango couldn’t cut through it.
Once I had convexed the edge, however, the blade went through it with ease.
(But when it comes to this particular test, the Nilakka by Pekka Tuominen wins every single time as also Opinel’s thin blades…)

Naturally, I’ve cut a lot of cardboard with it.

That’s probably the one area where REX 121 absolutely makes a mockery of every other steel on the market, treating them all like a bunch of under-carbonized losers.

I used a Triangle Sharpener with CBN rods, setting the edge at 15° per side.

Once I had established a good edge, I went straight to the leather strop.

The result is a rough shaver, but a shaver nonetheless. It has plenty of bite.

Now, this big show-off of Tango has also been put to work on much more mundane tasks.

Now you’re going to tell me that a 440A knife would handle sausage meat or bread perfectly well, and I’ll tell you that you’re absolutely right.

But this blog isn’t called Nemo Steel Review, is it?

And so that very Sage 6 gets exposed to grease and crumbs.

Those two organic contaminants, once they make their way into the mechanism, can become a problem…

And things could get even worse when you’re skinning a hare…

I don’t have those kinds of thoughts when I use my Manix MagnaMax, fitted with the handle from my Manix 2 Salt, because I know I can soak the knife in hot, soapy water without worrying about corrosion.

But with a Sage 6 carrying a steel this extreme?

Is it going to start rusting somewhere I can’t see?

And will those uncoated skeletonized liners eventually turn into little pockets of rust? Or bacteria colonies ?…

My first thought was to apply a thin layer of Teflon-based bicycle chain oil inside the handle, using a cotton swab soaked in it.

Then I thought: am I really going to have to do this every single time I use it ?

Why the hell am I putting myself through this when I have…

Its little brother, the Sage 5 Salt Lightweight with its CPM MagnaCut blade.
A pure masterpiece of an EDC knife, with every metal component built to withstand a dip in the ocean. Its review is here BTW.

The kind of knife you can throw into the bottom of your suitcase before taking off for some unknown destination. It’ll survive a stint in the rainforest or a picnic beside a salt lake without batting its spyderhole of an eye.

The Sage 6 REX 121 and the Sage 5 Salt MagnaCut represent two almost opposite philosophies of EDC knife.

The REX 121 is a cutting machine: its extreme wear resistance gives it phenomenal edge retention, especially when cutting cardboard.

The trade-off is an exceptionally demanding steel to sharpen, with far less tolerance for moisture and corrosion.

The Sage 5 Salt takes a completely different approach: MagnaCut offers an outstanding balance of edge retention, toughness, and exceptional corrosion resistance.
And the Salt takes that philosophy all the way.

The Sage 6 is the one I’d choose when I want to push cutting performance to the limit, while the Sage 5 is the one I’d take anywhere without having to worry about maintenance.

One makes you think about its steel; the other simply lets you use your knife.

And that, ultimately, is the difference between an extraordinary specialist blade and a true adventure EDC.

I also managed to get a really nice convex edge on my Sage 5, and at this point it needs nothing more than a strop to keep it sharp. It’s a whittling champion, whereas the Sage 6 still needs some work to refine its edge.

MagnaCut is also remarkably tough, while REX 121 is considerably less so. That difference in toughness is something you can feel in actual use: MagnaCut will be much more forgiving when the blade encounters twisting, knots, or lateral stress.

In short, comparing these two brothers is genuinely fascinating.

And I have to admit, choosing REX 121 could almost be considered a form of masochism: it’s more demanding to maintain, both when it comes to mechanism and edge.

But there’s something intoxicating about using REX 121. Putting a steel of this caliber into such an “approachable” friendly platform as the Sage 6 is an experience you really have to live through.

It’s like having a lion in your pocket, ready to roar — to borrow Prince’s words from 1999.

So, ten days later, where does that leave the Sage 6 REX 121?Somewhere between a brilliant EDC knife and a beautifully unnecessary piece of madness.

The REX 121 is an extraordinary steel, but it comes with a price: sharpening is a pain in the arsenal (!!), corrosion resistance requires attention, the edge is less forgiving, and even the mechanism makes you think twice about what you’re putting this knife through.
(The Sage 5 Salt MagnaCut is, in many ways, the rational choice. It is tougher, vastly more corrosion resistant, easier to maintain, and an outstanding whittling knife.)

And yet, if you ask me which one I find more exciting to use, the answer is the Sage 6.

There is something deeply satisfying about having a steel this extreme on such an elegant, compact and friendly platform. It makes very little practical sense — and that is precisely what makes it so much fun.

The Sage 6 REX 121 is not the knife I would recommend to someone looking for the easiest EDC life. It is the knife I would recommend to someone who wants to experience what happens when you put one of the most extreme cutting steels available into one of Spyderco’s most refined platforms.

And if this review occasionally wandered a little too far down the rabbit hole, well…

“I was dreamin’ when I wrote this. Forgive me if it goes astray...”

After all, this is a knife made from REX 121. A little madness was probably unavoidable.

Review

De-Shouldering Process – How I get a convex edge in 15 minutes.

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The new Sage 5 Salt got a great geometry but I love convex edges.
I like to remove the shoulder on the edge and with diamonds it is only a matter of minutes.

First thing. I do protect the sides of the blade to avoid scratching because I’m clumsy. I use thick duct tape AKA gaffer used to fix everything on the movie sets for everything including marks on the floor or information on magazines.

As I’m clumsy it even not symetrical.

Next I use some diamond. Here it is a Spyderco Double Stuff II.

A two-sided pocket stone has long been the sharpening tool of choice for fishermen, outdoorsmen, and other knife users who needed a handy, versatile sharpener for touch-ups in the field.

In 7 minutes I got that result.
I do not touch up the edge, my angle is aim toward the shoulder of the edge to thin it.
You can see the edge is styill the factory edge.

Now it is just a matter to rinse it.

The factory edge still is razor sharp.
But the geometry is improved and it cuts much more easily into hard matter.
In 15 minutes I got an edge like I want. This was made on my Sage Magnacut.

Now with a more convex edge it is easier to strop it on leather.
Magnacut behave a lot like Cruwear and both love leather.
It won’t be that easy on CPM – 15V which needs much more patience !
Anyway a part 2 is now available.

Review

SAGE™ 5 LIGHTWEIGHT SALT® – C123YL – The Magnacut Amphibian EDC –

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First of all, thank you to Guillaume Xais who has convinced me to try the Sage 5 Salt. I have found a deal under 200 euros.
In the past, I have owned some Sage(s) from the Sage 2 to the Sage 4 actually.
You still can find the reviewss by clicking the links.
The Sage 2 was a Sebenza killer when all the crave was about Christopher Reeves Integral Lock and titanium slabs.
The Sage 3 was the Blue Brother.
The Sage 4 was a masterpiece with its Front Lock and titanium Bolster never reviewed because too much a jewel of a knife.

(Picture by Guillaume Xais – instagram Spydigex_knives)

I wasn’t particularly interested in the Sage 5 Compression Lock, and even less in the Sage 5 Lightweight. Yet both the Sage 5 G10 and Lightweight versions proved so popular and well-regarded that Spyderco expanded the lineup into Maxamet, SPY27, REX 121, Magnacut, and CPM-M4 (thanks to Guillaume for the editing).

With the vanilla S30V, the Sage 5 was offered in six different alloys — some of the most impressive in terms of performance — demonstrating just how versatile and capable this design can be.
 “The Sage 5 Lightweight has also proven itself to be a perfect platform for showcasing the elite properties of high-performance blade steels.”

(Picture by Guillaume Xais – instagram Spydigex_knives)


For the record the Sage Series has traditionally expressed the same iconic design with different lock mechanisms, paying homage to the innovative designers who created them. Also Spyderco donates approximately 5% of sales of the Sage line to the National Alzheimer’s Association Denver, Colorado Chapter.
(A Sage 6 is soon coming with a button/compression lock as found on the Smock.)
So I have asked to Guillaume in the Spyderco Fan Club France, why should I invest in a Sage 5 Salt Lightweight in the first place ?

(Picture by Guillaume Xais – instagram Spydigex_knives)

“Its action, like any self-respecting Sage LW, is dazzling!
This yellow contrasts with the hardware, the clip, and the deep black of the liners, like a Black Mamba face… I love it!
My first Magnacut, by the way… I fish and am quite often at the seaside, it will complement my Ukpk salt (which is also very good).
My favorites, however, remain the 2 and 4, true works of art!

For me, it does everything better than a Para3: handling, fluidity, less fragile tip, less tactical image, more rewarding feel of the FRN… there’s no comparison (from my point of view, of course).
Add to that the Taichung Quality and Magna’versatility… they’re worth it, right?“

I was convinced !

First impressions: there’s some real heft to this lightweight — thanks to the full liners. I love it. The blade is perfectly centered, and the lock doesn’t stick.

The detent is impressively strong, almost magnetic — stronger than the detents on my recent Para 3 and Military 2. Go figure! And the action is smooth as oily butter. Classic, perfect Taichung craftsmanship.

The FRN pattern is hard, grippy and catchy I even got some issue to put in my pocket.
It the same issue I had with my Chaparral Lightweight.


A passage under the sandpaper would be perhaps mandatory ? Let’s see what Papa Sal would advice in my case of protecting my pockets:
“You can lessen the tension on the clip as an easy solution. Some sand the scales bit.” Sal in the Forums.

Some gaffer to protect the black screws when using sandpaper.
Then cleaned under the tap and it’s good to go.

Well… it is so compact it can eventually be carried inside the pocket watch.
But Sal was right like always, bending the clip a little has completely changed the way it clipped and for the better.

The metal hardware is all black certainly PVD coated.  “Like all Salt Series folders, the clip, liners, and all handle hardware are also crafted from marine-grade materials.” said Spyderco.
And Guillaume is right, the contrast between the black and yellow is an eye candy.

I have found a little hot spot on the choil which I felt under my index finger. Nothing a little diamond file won’t eliminate in a matter of minutes.

Now let’s compare it to the Para3 Lightweight.

The Para3 is a really light package because there is almost no liner.

64 grams.

78 grams for the Sage 5 with its nested steel liners

The FRN is smoother on the Para3 as it is not the same pattern.
Being a Salt the Sage 5 is destined to be used with wet hands.

The Sage 5 has a thinner 3 mm blade, and the chamfered edges on its spine are just stunning — smooth under the thumb and a true Taichung signature. Even the Spyderhole is gently finished.

A major plus for whittling is how easily my left-hand thumb finds a comfortable spot on the blade spine. With the Para 3, the thumb doesn’t have a proper ramp parallel to the cut. On the Sage 5, the parabolic spine of the leaf-shaped bladelets the thumb push comfortably in the middle of the spine, which makes a real difference during whittling.

Same blade length, but a different spine shape. The Para 3’s Spyderhole is especially suited for use with gloves.

Is the Sage more of a civilian EDC and the Para 3 more tactical? Not entirely certain. The Sage feels more solid in the hand and has more heft, while the Para 3 feels like a light, quick-reaction tool, and the Sage 5 is an all-terrain EDC.

The Sage handle is more compact and can be carried in the watch pocket, thanks to its grippy FRN and strong clip.

Grip is essential when working around water or with wet hands. The Para 3 is gentler on pocket edges, while the Sage out of the box can be a pocket shredder. Following Sal Glesser’s advice, I flexed the clip slightly for lighter retention — now it’s perfect.

Next, let’s take a look at the Sage’s geometry straight out of the box.

I was able to cut through the plastic without having de-shouldered the edge yet. It will be done in the next chapters. For the record, I was not able to get a clean cut with the factory geometry of my new Para3 and Military2 in CPM 15V.


So this blade has excellent geometry right out of the box: this is really impressive ! Without any touchup of the factory edge it goes deep in any material, soft or hard.

The Sage 5 Salt is a pure Sal Glesser design with its iconic leaf-shaped blade. Fun fact: the letters S‑A‑G‑E appear in order in his name!

This great folder is made in Taichung, Taiwan, renowned for its exquisite manufacturing and quality control. The blade is chamfered, and the jimping is soft under the thumb, making it a joy to handle.

Ultimately, this is a Highlander knife: “In the end, there can be only one.” The Sage 5 Salt feels like a Spyderco to rule them all — the only one I’d ever need in terms of portability, reliability, and performance.


Purely stainless from blade to screws, it is a true all terrain tool. I mean, you won’t need another knife as this one is totally impervious to salt water and boast that CPM Magnacut blade known for its great performance: “a revolutionary particle metallurgy steel that offers an exceptional balance of edge retention, toughness, and the extreme corrosion resistance.” It is true when properly heat treated and with the best geometry.
(Again all those green marks are links to previous review or sources of this review.)


Polishing the Sage’s edge on a leather strap — aka stropping — removes the final imperfections, leaving an even razor-sharp edge. Magnacut, in particular, responds beautifully to leather stropping.

With the Vigtig and the Nano. I managed to get these three knives for under €200: the Sage 5 at €194, the Vigtig at €130, and the Nano at €192.

This means that, as of March 2025, CPM Magnacut knives can be found for as low as €130 — a good deal, though it may not last. The UKPK in CPM Magnacut should be in a similar price range, which I’m looking forward to.


So far, first impressions are excellent! The yellow handle makes it feel less threatening — more like an everyday tool than a “ninja mall weapon,” which is a definite plus these days.

It’s also ready for kitchen use, thanks to a strong edge that isn’t afraid of ceramic plates. Magnacut takes a razor-sharp edge easily with just a bit of ceramic and leather work. No need for diamond paste like on the mighty CPM 15V.


The amphibious Sage 5 is a perfect traveling companion — from mountain rivers to the ocean. It delivers impressive cutting power for its size, biting into hard wood effortlessly. The blade spine is very comfortable for push cuts, making it a reliable all-terrain tool.

It’s a dream knife for fishermen and woodcrafters, capable of accompanying you in virtually any environment.
So far the Spyderco Salt serie is enlarged to very nice plateforms with Military flavours and civilian purposes.


First impressions of the Sage 5 are excellent — in terms of action, geometry, and ergonomics. This is a great EDC that’s fearlessly corrosion-resistant.

Thanks to Guillaume for the tip!
Now time to convex it !