Thoughts on the Chaparral Carbon Fiber CTS-XHP

[VeloWeave]

That Vesuvius looks alot like a Centofante 3. My Chaparral CF S30v is smooth as butter but I had to send the first one back for excessive grittiness. They replaced it with one as smooth as butter. Love that knife, it's my go to for a lightweight classy option.

[kbuzbee]

That Vesuvius looks alot like a Centofante 3.

It does. The biggest difference is the lock. Some folks didn't like this iteration of the Comp lock, but it works just fine for me.

Ken

[Doc Dan]

Pretty good review of the Chaparral CF Dan. I would agree with what you have said. You asked so I'll add my thoughts to yours. :) The polish on the blade looks more like a choice during manufacturing instead of a quality of the steel. I'm looking at mine (Chaparral 2, ti, XHP) and it's definately not polished. However I have a very nice mirror finish on the edge bevels so the steel will polish. I can see a great reflection of the limbs and leaves on the trees above my head when outside. Also a just about perfect reflection of print when resting the edge on a magazine page. I think if you want your entire blade polished you (or someone) could get the entire blade to a mirror polish.

About the pivot stiffness. What lube do you use? I use Nano-oil and it's quite unbelievable compared to Quick Release (great lube), Tuf-Glide (corrosion prevention mainly) or other oils I use. I believe Nano-oil will improve any pivot IF lubrication is the problem. Have you tried adjusting the pivot screw? Actually I have needed to adjust every pivot screw on every knife I've used if I want to get it perfect for me. BUT, the one I know I haven't adjusted is my Chaparral 2. This is just a coincidence that it was adjusted just right at the factory. If I weren't happy with it I'd loosen the pivot a lot, rinse it out real good with dish soap and water, finish rinsing with clean warm water, dry quickly with hair dryer and apply ample amounts of oil and move the blade back and forth many times. THEN, after the oil is circulated will tighten the pivot screw to your liking. All this is not really necessary but it should guarantee you get the pivot like you want it.

I don't like to carry one knife just in case I am caught in the jungles of Brazil. Some may laugh but this happens all the time in the movies. :) Even when I go to Wal Mart I would carry a Chaparral and a GB or Sage4 or Manix2 or other bigger knife. I also may have a Manbug in a pocket or a D'fly in a neck sheath under my shirt. :) I paid for these things! Might as well carry them around. :)

I congratulate you on owning any model of the Chaparral. I had the CF model with S30v which I love but now have the ti model with XHP. I love both steels. If I had to choose I'd choose XHP I think but that is NOT based on any reliable testing at all. I don't even really know if it would be the better choice. The Chaparral IMO of any model or either of the two steels is a great knife for its intended use.

Jack

Hi Jack,
I was speaking of how stiff it came from the factory and before I worked over it. I love the knife as far as design, it should be noted.

As far as being caught out in the jungle, where I live jungle is everywhere and some places are far from help. So...

[Doc Dan]

I believe this is specific to the XHP run of Chaparral 1's. My S30V Chaparral 1 doesn't have the overly strong spring, but the XHP one does. Someone posted a thread about it a while back.

I lubed this thing like crazy 2 or 3 times and the spring is still very strong.

It won't stop me from carrying it, but it is something that is noticed. I wouldn't want to carry it on a day I will need to open and close it 50 times.

Yeah, wasn't that way on an earlier specimen I saw, either. I actually like a stiff spring as I must carry in my pocket. It is the pivot that is stiff. But it is smooth.

[Doc Dan]

I forgot to speak of the sharp liner edges Deacon. I like when mine come sharp, even too sharp. It's not a big deal except my understanding is for the edges to be this sharp or "crisp" as you put it it demonstrates exceptional manufacturing to be able to get this without "sharpening". I have used a fine or UF triangle rod to round the sharp edges because I could see myself getting cut if the circumstances were just right. I look at is as an indication of good manufacturing and I'd rather take 15 or 20 seconds to round the edges myself than for it to be done at the factory which may increase the price of a product to have someone sitting there with an UF Spyderco triangle rod rounding off crisp corners on every knife. :)

Of the knives I have gotten from the Taichung Taiwan factory they have some of the best fit and finish and performance of any Spyderco knives. That's saying a lot IMO because I've been impressed by Spyderco's products every time. I haven't been satisfied by any company on such a regular basis as I have been with Spyderco's.

I'm not suggesting you are knocking Spyderco Dan. I thought your comments were accurate.

Jack

You are correct. I am not knocking Spyderco. I am a huge fan and own a box full. I have had exactly 2 knives from Spyderco in all these years with issues. That is quite a complement. Also, you are correct in your assessment. My observations of this particular knife are accurate. I did not say all were or would be like this.

I usually get out fine diamond hone, like yourself, and smooth any rough edges. However, on my Japanese made and American made Spydies I have never needed to do this. Either I am lucky or these factories produce good knives.

[Doc Dan]

Hey Doc Dan, I'm pulling out my chaparral now. I think I was lucky to get an xhp Chaparral while there were still mosly the s30v being sold. Truthfully I'd nver know the difference other than the letters but I like variety and have lots of s30v.

Regarding your cons, I'm indifferent to blade polish and my chap is almost perfectly finished. The only imperfection I see is a larger gap on one side of the lock bar than the other and only my Native 5 is perfectly flush there among ten back locks or so. I think Deacon might be laughing to himself knowing people are out there rubbing their noses all over their knives :) but my fingers are pretty callused, I know what he means.

I guess you're right about it being slow to close, but I'm not sure what to compare it to. Basically all my frn seki models take a small wrist flick to close.
Among 4 caly models from Moki they all drop pretty freely with the proper thumb positioning, and my Natives fall completely loose.
I didn't know about the spring differences Donut mentioned but it doesn't bother me. Given a choice I would opt for (an increase in?) strength over a looser pivot. I have a lot of confidence in my chaparral due to the grip and lock stability.

Yeah, I like the stiffer lock. Mine does not have a large gap, though. Everything else, other than what I mentioned, is top notch.

[cawallace99]

I flat out love the CF Chaparral, it's my favorite "City of Greenville legal" blade. However, as of now, the only XHP Chaparral I own is the titanium "stealth" version, so I can't do a direct comparison with yours. That said, I see no difference in the level of finish on the blade flats when I compare it with my CF/S30V Chaparral, and no difference in the level of finish between either Chaparral and a couple S30V Military versions that I own. As for sharp edges I can press my nose against the liners, blade spine and the lock release area of the lockbar of my CF Chaparral and the blade spine and lock release of the titanium one, and slide it along without cutting myself. Wouldn't do that with the Spyderholes, but I wouldn't do it with the Spyderholes of any other Spyderco made in the last ten years either.

I won't allow Benchmade products in my home, so I can't compare finish with them.

As for hard use, no it would not be my first choice as a "survival knife". As much as I love folders, IMHO only and imbecile would intentionally select a folder for that role. Still, given the abuse I put the "pilot run" S30V one Sal sent me through cutting heavy cardboard when I was packing to move down here from NY, I'm confident that, as long as I didn't do anything stupid, it would serve me as well as any 2.8" blade possibly could.

Can you explain your disdain for Benchmade..???

[Drahkis]

Can you explain your disdain for Benchmade..???

The Deacon probably doesn't feel the need to bring that old news up in today's forum.

this link explains his position

http://paulberetta.com/main_page.htm#boycott

[Doc Dan]

Welcome to the forum cawallace99.

[sal]

Hi Cawallace,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[cawallace99]

Ty, new member long time knifer. Now I'm trying to get educated! Love all ya'lls great knowledge. I am currently wondering about a Spyderco 154cm Taiwan knife with no spider on the blade. It's very small maybe 2.8"blade or less and is blue web with Spyderco across the handle in middle of web. Any thoughts???

[cawallace99]

Also thumb hole is horizontal tear drop.

[cawallace99]

Is the cts-xhp Steel the same for Cold Steel as Spyderco?? Just interested in the mini recon with cts-xhp. Also what is cts-xhp... closest relative... sorry if I'm going off the subject, I'm new.

[cawallace99]

I have an opportunity to buy a Spyderco very small 154cm from Taiwan, but has no black spider on the blade. Does say 154cm and Spyderco across the handle in the middle of a web.

[Doc Dan]

Since this is a very old thread, AND you are off topic, why don't you start a new thread about your knife and you will probably get some response.