FRN Delica 4 vs new FRN Chapperal

[bryan123]

Delica is now more expensive and Chap is now available in FRN.

Which is better for light to medium duty EDC?

Thanks

[NickShabazz]

They're very different knives in terms of ergonomics, and the Chappie blade is really thin, which is great for most, bad for some (and in the case of the backlock, bad for thumbs).

But that said, with the Delica price hike bringing it within spitting distance, and with the Chaparral's improved fit-and-finish, disassembly process, ergos, and materials, I'm probably going to be recommending the FRN Chaparral instead to most people. Chaparral for a light-use, daily carry piece, Native 5 for harder work, PM2 for harder work or bigger blades, and Shaman if you really need something you can beat on.

Don't get me wrong, the Delica's great, and still one of the best value-focused knife designs out there, but this latest round of price hikes has just pushed it out of the territory where it's able to compete strongly. And with the FRN Chaparral offering such strong value, I think it'll pick up a lot of the slack.

[Omlin]

Maybe this sounds shallow but looks do matter. Took me years to realize I don't like the blade profile of my Delica4, Ladybug3 & Robin2. They are all great knives but I prefer leaf shaped blades like the Dragonfly, Native, Manix, etc.

Ergos are important, too. Never held a Chaparral but I'm sure it will feel decent. Ergos on the Delica fantastic.

[jimmd]

Ergos are important, too. Never held a Chaparral but I'm sure it will feel decent. Ergos on the Delica fantastic.

The Chaparral works well for me ergonomically, but I couldn't get used to the Delica's ergos. Just shows how much individuals' hands can differ.

[Nate]

Chap for me. I had a Delica once wanted to like it, but it just couldn't beat out the Chap, (or the UKPK, Urban, and Calys,) for me. Just not quite right for my hand and I like choils I guess.

[phurgawtin]

If you like a choil, go with the Chaparral.

If you prefer to hammer grip and keep your fingers away from the blade, go with the Delica.

[bryan123]

They're very different knives in terms of ergonomics, and the Chappie blade is really thin, which is great for most, bad for some (and in the case of the backlock, bad for thumbs).

But that said, with the Delica price hike bringing it within spitting distance, and with the Chaparral's improved fit-and-finish, disassembly process, ergos, and materials, I'm probably going to be recommending the FRN Chaparral instead to most people. Chaparral for a light-use, daily carry piece, Native 5 for harder work, PM2 for harder work or bigger blades, and Shaman if you really need something you can beat on.

Don't get me wrong, the Delica's great, and still one of the best value-focused knife designs out there, but this latest round of price hikes has just pushed it out of the territory where it's able to compete strongly. And with the FRN Chaparral offering such strong value, I think it'll pick up a lot of the slack.

Thanks Nick...The backlock on the Chap is a concern of mine. Clearly not as thumb-friendly as the DF2 and Delica 4. Plus the fact that my DF2 (purchased on your recommendation) is not all that much smaller than the Chap, I may continue EDCing the DF2 most of the time especially in Boston.

[jimmd]

Thanks Nick...The backlock on the Chap is a concern of mine. Clearly not as thumb-friendly as the DF2 and Delica 4. Plus the fact that my DF2 (purchased on your recommendation) is not all that much smaller than the Chap, I may continue EDCing the DF2 most of the time especially in Boston.

I held off on getting the Chaparral only because of Nick's report of the sharp, thin lockbar. I got the Native 5 instead, but after using it for a while, I found I really wanted a thinner, slicier blade, especially since I have a Spydiechef and PM2 for when I needed something bigger.

I decided to return the LW Native 5 and get a Chaparral. A week since receiving it, I don't perceive the lockbar as much less comfortable than that of the Native. It's probably sightly less so, but not nearly as uncomfortable as on its first day. Both knives have extremely strong, reassuring backlocks.

In addition, I find retracting the Chaparral blade easier in a way: once the blade is partly disengaged, I can get my forefinger and thumb on either side within the Spydiehole and pull the blade in quickly and safely:
https://youtu.be/dYJHwiwRoj8

I plan to get another Native 5 eventually, as it's a great all-around performer for the size. I want to get the G-10 version with the new linerless construction. The FRN version was ergonomically great but the tactile sensation of those scales was a little uncomfortable for me with a firm grip, and the CF/G-10 Chaparral is better in that sense, with the ergonomics otherwise almost as good as the Native 5 for my XL hands.

I think the Chaparral should feel somewhat bigger in hand than the DF2.

[likethevegetable]

I was in the same debate - I had a DF2 and it felt like a big mini-knife to me (I still love it), but I wanted to get a small full-knife. I ended up picking the Chappie over the Delica for a few reasons. It's a bit smaller, I like choil, the new FRN pattern is nice and something different, the steel is (from what I've heard) better. and the fit and finish from Taichung is apparently better. The Delica had amazing ergonomics when I held it in store, but I took a gamble and ordered the Chappie online. After receiving the Chappie, I immediately knew I made the right choice. The back-lock isn't too stiff after breaking it in, I don't think it should be the sole dealbreaker.

[Molle Ninja]

Are the edges on the lockbar the problem? Too sharp? If so, could the knife be disassembled and those edges sanded or filed to fix the problem?

[jimmd]

As with all Spyderco back locks, the lockbar thickness is that of the blade stock. The Chaparral's blade is 1.9 mm thick, thus the lockbar is thinner than the other popular back lock Spydercos. Combine that with a strong spring and the squared off Taichung edges of the lockbar, and it can feel sharp to press, especially before it breaks in. I don't find mine uncomfortable to use at all now that's it's seen some use.

Both the Chaparral and Native 5 have strong back locks with no blade play. The Native 5's lockbar is wider and easier to use, but the blade is correspondingly thicker.

[Mr Blonde]

For light duty, I'd recommend the Chapparal. It works great for smaller cutting chores and carries almost like pocket lint. However, if you're looking for a more all-round pocket knife, I'd recommend the slightly bigger Delica.

[Termite Toothpick]

Wow, this has been good.

I have always not liked something about the Delica's blade shape. I have been holding off till I could get a Delica with the Wharncliffe blade. That being said, and me just waiting on the release of the HAP40 Wharncliffe; I think I may need to give the LW Chaparral a go. I do love leaf shaped blades and I have been thinking of this one. The input from this thread has been very helpful.

[jmh58]

For light duty, I'd recommend the Chapparal. It works great for smaller cutting chores and carries almost like pocket lint. However, if you're looking for a more all-round pocket knife, I'd recommend the slightly bigger Delica.

Pocket lint!! That's funny :D !! John

[PanChango]

For light duty, I'd recommend the Chapparal. It works great for smaller cutting chores and carries almost like pocket lint. However, if you're looking for a more all-round pocket knife, I'd recommend the slightly bigger Delica.

+1

[Evil D]

Hate the Delica ergos so I'd choose the Chap.

[TomAiello]

I carry my Chap about 50 times more often than my Delica.

[Doc Dan]

I am a Delica lover. It is a great pocket knife and was my everyday knife. I was never really in love with my Chaparral but it was the early edition. The new Light Weight FRN model changed all of that and I have not carried a Delica since I got it.

As to the lock bar, mine is not at all hard to depress and the edges are not sharp. I read where someone repositioned the lock bar spring just a little and it made all the difference on their particular knife.

[Molle Ninja]

I’ve put the Chaparral Lightweight in my cart several times since it was released. Finally pulled the trigger just now because of this thread.

Spyderco: resistance is futile.

[PSquared]

Between the FRN Chaparral and a FFG Delica with stock scales, I'd probably take the Chaparral most days. If you would consider a non-locking knife and can live with the colour, I'd take an S110V UKPK before either every time.