Choosing the Chaparral

[Tgmr05]

Most of the time I prefer to carry in the pocket, not clipped. I am older, so I suppose the term pocketknife stuck. I admit I sometimes carry fixed blades, multitools, and even some larger folders clipped or in a sheath, but am always looking for that optimal pocketknife. The Chaparral appears to be the current Spyderco solution for that quest.

The Chaparral is a tough small lightweight thin slicer with a deceptively long cutting edge for it’s size. Some photos may help, though I am not the best at taking photos.

First one just shows how much a clip adds to the thickness of a knife, hence why I remove them for pocket carry. On the Chaparral, it really adds quite a bit in comparison.



Next photo shows one way to see the size of their footprint. This shows how close the Dragonfly, Lil Native, and Chaparral are - from this viewpoint.



This one shows thickness, and also how efficiently the blade length fits in the handle. Notice the Chaparral and Manbug blades use almost all the space in the handle, vs the Delica/Dragonfly/Native/Lil Native.



Which is why, as this photo shows, the Chaparral cutting length is very, very close to the same length as the Native. While the Chaparral is thin and slicey, it also has liners which give a little extra strength and weight for those times when a little extra is needed. It is a deceptively tough little knife, though it is not a pry-bar.



This last photo shows not only blade thickness, but also lockbar thickness. This helps show why some have an issue with the way it feels to operate the backlock. It is simply very thin with no detent. There are mods to help, either moving the spring or smoothing out the edges, but usage and time also help overcome that initial feeling of discomfort. The Chaparral does not feel like a fidget friendly knife, but it definitely grows on you.

[FrenchBlob]

Nice review, very informative for size comparisons ... As I have a FRN Chaparral, I was hesitating buying a DF2. I was afraid of a too short grip for 4 fingers. It seems that the grip length of the DF2 is very similar to the Chap's one...

I made my choice, I will definitely try the upcoming DF2 Salt (hope so fingers crossed :) )

And due to all those threads about SE, i think I'll try my first Serrated Edge .. thx PeaceInOurTime, Wartstein and all other SE aficionados

Thank you,

My 2 apples, Frenchblob

[cycleguy]

A picture ... in this case ... is worth a million words! Thanks

CG

[elena86]

Good choice. Enjoy !

[Wartstein]

Great comparison and review! :)

You practically mentioned all I too Iove in that perfect little knife and better than I could (resp. than in fact I DID mention a lot of times here already... :rolleyes: )

I may add what a great, rock solid backlock the Chap has (internal stop pin) and emphasize what you said about the construction and built quality: This is actually a very solid little knife, capable of real, hard work. No one should hesitate to use it for any knife task, in quite a few it will perform better than many other Spydies, due to the thin, slicey blade.

I put it once that way: The Chap FRN could never be my number one folder, but would most likely always be my number two, regardless whatever number one might be (some large, serrated one). So if I could only have TWO folders, the Chap would be one of those two.

[Tgmr05]

Nice review, very informative for size comparisons ... As I have a FRN Chaparral, I was hesitating buying a DF2. I was afraid of a too short grip for 4 fingers. It seems that the grip length of the DF2 is very similar to the Chap's one...

I made my choice, I will definitely try the upcoming DF2 Salt (hope so fingers crossed :) )

And due to all those threads about SE, i think I'll try my first Serrated Edge .. thx PeaceInOurTime, Wartstein and all other SE aficionados

Thank you,

My 2 apples, Frenchblob

You will be quite happy with the Dragonfly, a great ‘little big knife’. Unless you have x-large hands, a four finger grip is what really makes the knife feel so good.

A se Dragonfly in AUS-8 was my first Spyderco. Sold me on se.

[Wartstein]

Nice review, very informative for size comparisons ... As I have a FRN Chaparral, I was hesitating buying a DF2. I was afraid of a too short grip for 4 fingers. It seems that the grip length of the DF2 is very similar to the Chap's one...

I made my choice, I will definitely try the upcoming DF2 Salt (hope so fingers crossed :) )

And due to all those threads about SE, i think I'll try my first Serrated Edge .. thx PeaceInOurTime, Wartstein and all other SE aficionados

....

Just a quick sidenote, don´t want to derail the thread: I am sure you know that there IS a serrated DFLY Salt already, right (sabre hollow grind H1) ? So I assume you´re talking about the (hopefully upcoming) LC200N ffg version, right? (Good idea in my book, especially in SE!)

[Tgmr05]

Great comparison and review! :)

You practically mentioned all I too Iove in that perfect little knife and better than I could (resp. than in fact I DID mention a lot of times here already... :rolleyes: )

I may add what a great, rock solid backlock the Chap has (internal stop pin) and emphasize what you said about the construction and built quality: This is actually a very solid little knife, capable of real, hard work. No one should hesitate to use it for any knife task, in quite a few it will perform better than many other Spydies, due to the thin, slicey blade.

I put it once that way: The Chap FRN could never be my number one folder, but would most likely always be my number two, regardless whatever number one might be (some large, serrated one). So if I could only have TWO folders, the Chap would be one of those two.

I have definitely enjoyed and agree with the enthusiasm for the Chaparral and all the incredible scenery/photos you post. They always inspire. I took a day off today and figured to start a thread, for once. I must admit the first photo above - I actually took when I misread the title of your thread on - easy to sharpen/high edge retention pairs... Then I saw how it clearly showed how much the clip sticks out on the Chap...

[Wartstein]

I have definitely enjoyed and agree with the enthusiasm for the Chaparral and all the incredible scenery/photos you post. They always inspire. I took a day off today and figured to start a thread, for once. I must admit the first photo above - I actually took when I misread the title of your thread on - easy to sharpen/high edge retention pairs... Then I saw how it clearly showed how much the clip sticks out on the Chap...

Thanks for your kind words, I feel honored and am glad if you find things you like in my posts! :)

You should definitely start threads more often, your write up, thoughts and comparisons are of high quality imho.

[Sharp Guy]

Nice selection of knives! I happen to like them all! :)

[Holland]

Nice photos and comparisons!

Chaparral is one of my favorites

[40mm]

I've never handled a Chaparral but always wanted to. I'm a Dragonfly guy thus far as that's really the only Spydie that has stuck around for a significant period of time. These comparison photos are top notch by the way. Great post!

[abbazaba]

Great breakdown! The Chaparral is still pocket perfection! Here's a similar shot I took: https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.ph ... 9#p1148774

[TkoK83Spy]

I did similar comparison shots in the past with the Dragonfly, Urban, Chap, UKPK. In my opinion... UKPK takes the cake when it comes to smaller models with wire clips. It's a masterpiece. The Chap is definitely a nice knife though, a bit too slim in hand for my preferences.

[prndltech]

I too, love the chaparral clipless, dropped in the pocket. It is an actual pocket knife, as you said! Extremely solid and well built, with a nice thin, slicey blade. What a novel idea! I’m so glad I gave it a shot. It is definitely one of my all time favorites.

[kobold]

Also removed the clip from my raffir noble. Added bonus: the pattern is much nicer on that side.

Keeping it on the FRN though.

[Doc Dan]

I only carry my Chaparrals clipless. It is the epitome of pocket knife design.

Why is there no Salt version?

[Mushroom]

I only carry my Chaparrals clipless. It is the epitome of pocket knife design.

Why is there no Salt version?

The Chaparral series has always been a knife series with a certain level of integrity, from my observations at least. The design and blade steel remain consistent but each model showcases a new handle material or texture. My guess is that adding a Salt version would have been a departure from that consistency.

The Sage series was similar to the Chaparral series in a certain way but a Maxamet Sage 1 was introduced in Reveal V6, so it wouldn't surprise me if we see a Salt Chaparral eventually.

[Wartstein]

I only carry my Chaparrals clipless. It is the epitome of pocket knife design.

Why is there no Salt version?

The Chaparral series has always been a knife series with a certain level of integrity, from my observations at least. The design and blade steel remain consistent but each model showcases a new handle material or texture. My guess is that adding a Salt version would have been a departure from that consistency.

The Sage series was similar to the Chaparral series in a certain way but a Maxamet Sage 1 was introduced in Reveal V6, so it wouldn't surprise me if we see a Salt Chaparral eventually.

Yes, as far as I know the Chaparral series was meant as a platform to display various handle naterials, just like the Sage series to display various locktypes - while the steels - XHP resp. S30V - remain the same in each version.

But since Sal hinted that the Sage 5 LW could come in other steels either in the future: Maybe there is hope for the Chap too (though I personally am more than just fine with XHP)

[Tgmr05]

Like Wartstein, I really like XHP, but would not turn down a lw salt Chap or maybe an s90v version. A thin slicey supersteel, hmm..