Chaparral

[RamZar]

Last year I completed my Chaparral collection (all except the Blue Stepped Titanium - I tried several but just didn't like the annodization on any of them) and I'm hoping there are more new models on the way highlighting other handle materials. Also, perhaps an upgrade from XHP to a stainless steel like S45VN, SPY27, 20CV, MagnaCut, etc.

Current & Discontinued Chaparral Models:

1. Chaparral 1 CPM-S30V CF/G-10 Laminate
2. Chaparral 1 CTS-XHP CF/G-10 Laminate
3. Chaparral 2 CTS-XHP Titanium
4. Chaparral 3 CTS-XHP Stepped Titanium
5. Chaparral 4 CTS-XHP Blue Stepped Titanium
6. Chaparral 5 CTS-XHP Raffir Noble Composite Scales
7. Chaparral 6 CTS-XHP Gray FRN
8. Chaparral Sun & Moon CTS-XHP White G-10 (Red G-10 Inlay) & Black G-10 (Mother-of-Pearl Inlay)
9. Chaparral CTS-XHP Birdseye Maple

Proposed Models:

1. All Stainless Steel (perhaps engraved)
2. Simple Textured G-10
3. True Marbled CF
4. Micarta
5. FRN in new colors

Larrin's Corrosion Resistance Test (New Steel is MagnaCut)

[p_atrick]

I know the last one was wood, but there are so many types of interesting wood. Curly maple, snake wood, anything spalted, etc. Working with organic materials presents its own set of challenges though.

TeroTuff and Ultem seem to be popular.

[Sharp24/7]

For stainless I’d vote Magnacut. Between its toughness and potential hardness it seems perfect for a thin Chap blade. I’d like to see that in FRN. I’d also like a crazy high edge retention steel like K390 in a green canvas Micarta. Also, I have the Sun and Moon and I love it, just gorgeous.

[RamZar]

I’ve heard of issues with Raffir Noble and Sun & Moon having to do with scratches showing. Also, the Birdseye Maple Wood model (last one released in January 2021) having water damage. For carrying without worries, you can’t beat the CF/G-10 Laminate or FRN models.

Another desirable CF material would be one of the Fat Carbon Fiber ones but something less wild and colorful (SMKW PM2 Exclusives). I kind of like their “Dark Matter Gold” (see below).



The Marbled CF on the Fradon Lock Exclusive was also very nice.

[Bolster]

Last year I completed my Chaparral collection...

You tease...and no photo?

Regards a stainless steel...have you been having issues with corrosion on your Chaps?

[Mushroom]

I’d like to see main Chaparral series remain CTS-XHP and reserve any steel changes for the lightweight FRN model only.

As for a new handle material I’d like to see, I think “Fordite” would make for an awesome version of the Chaparral.

[Cl1ff]

Congrats on completing your collection!
I like all of your proposals.

[sn0wman72]

I think we need a photo of the complete collection

[Doc Dan]

Kirinite! They even have green and pink GITD. Here is a completely random sampling.



Black and Red Lava!

[RamZar]

Here are my 8 different Chaparral folders including two versions of the CF/G-10 Laminate with S30V & XHP steels. The only one I don’t have nor want is the Blue Anodized Stepped Titanium one. This is a photo of the boxes / pouch. I’ll take a picture of the knives during daytime this weekend.

[RamZar]

As for a Textured G-10 handle the Forest Green Diamond Arc pattern which Spyderco used on ParaMilitary2 & Para3 Sprint Runs with CPM-S45VN in April 2020 & July 2020 respectively is an excellent choice.

[PStone]

Dichrolam.
https://www.dichrolam.com/index.html
That could make for a very pretty Chap. Case just released a run of covers in the BlackSea pattern. It’s supposed to mimic opal yet be super shiny and scratch resistant. But they also offer other patterns too.

[Dazen]

I’ve heard of issues with Raffir Noble and Sun & Moon having to do with scratches showing. Also, the Birdseye Maple Wood model (last one released in January 2021) having water damage. For carrying without worries, you can’t beat the CF/G-10 Laminate or FRN models.

Another desirable CF material would be one of the Fat Carbon Fiber ones but something less wild and colorful (SMKW PM2 Exclusives). I kind of like their “Dark Matter Gold” (see below).



The Marbled CF on the Fradon Lock Exclusive was also very nice.

I would love to see a real CF Chaparral, and marbled and dark matter look great!

I would also love to see Side/Cross Cut CF in the Chaparral.

[JRinFL]

Dichrolam.
https://www.dichrolam.com/index.html
That could make for a very pretty Chap. Case just released a run of covers in the BlackSea pattern. It’s supposed to mimic opal yet be super shiny and scratch resistant. But they also offer other patterns too.

This x 100!

I have two Case knives in Dichrolam Dead Sea and it looks fantastic.

[Manixguy@1994]

I like the idea of a new Chap and a new steel even in the FRN model . Micarta or G10 would definitely interest me , but other offerings scratch resistant would be nice especially in a CF . MG2

[p_atrick]

Not sure if I should make another thread, but I'm curious about the construction of the Chaparral blade. It has a stop pin in the blade that connects with the internal blade stops. Does anybody know anything about the steel used for the stop pin? I assume it isn't XHP (seems like that would be an added cost), but it does have to stand up to repeated contact with the liners. Is it the same material as the back lock? Is it heat treated? The mechanism seems simple enough, but I'm sure it is more complex that I assume.

[cjk]

As for a Textured G-10 handle the Forest Green Diamond Arc pattern which Spyderco used on ParaMilitary2 & Para3 Sprint Runs with CPM-S45VN in April 2020 & July 2020 respectively is an excellent choice.

I would agree that the scales on those are just fantastic.

[cjk]

Not sure if I should make another thread, but I'm curious about the construction of the Chaparral blade. It has a stop pin in the blade that connects with the internal blade stops. Does anybody know anything about the steel used for the stop pin? I assume it isn't XHP (seems like that would be an added cost), but it does have to stand up to repeated contact with the liners. Is it the same material as the back lock? Is it heat treated? The mechanism seems simple enough, but I'm sure it is more complex that I assume.

I expect that the answers to your questions would be considered privileged information / Spyderco intellectual property/ something like that, so I wouldn't expect to get many of them answered.

[Superflex]

Raffir wood please
https://raffir.com/raffir-materials/raf ... ized-wood/

[RamZar]

I would also love to see Side/Cross Cut CF in the Chaparral.

That looks nice. I wonder if it has some texture to it, that is, not smooth in which case you can have your cake and eat it too.