Chaparral Lightweight - thoughts and pics

[RickC27]

Made in Japan...Interesting, I thought it was Taiwan?? Mine will be arriving tomorrow, I'll follow up on this thread with what my box says as well as the lockbar edges.

[Daveho]

Shoot, I forgot to ask because I don't recall seeing it in the thread...is it easy to close this knife using just one hand? Depress the lock and let the blade drop to your finger while in the choil, then close from there? I feel like I may not like a lock back design if it can't be closed using one hand.

The blade drops when I push the lock bar on both my Chaps and all my Natives. Even if they didn't drop you can guide the blade down using your index finger in the Spydie hole.

BTW, the Delica is an excellent value regardless of price.

I was honestly leaning towards the Delica first because of all the raving reviews I've seen and read about it. Seeing reviews from just 2-3 years ago where it was priced around $55-60, which seems reasonable and I'd buy one in a heart beat. But now being priced for $74 everywhere I look, I can't justify it in my mind when you can get all these other upgrades with other models for a mere $12-20 more. Though I do feel like I would love the ergos of the Delica. I'm certainly not bashing the knife itself, I know it's been around forever for good reason and is a Spyderco staple. Just that spike in price, with no upgrades has me leaning other directions.

I love the delica but the chaparral FRN is better value IMHO, better steel and ergos are on par (in my hand the Chappy has a slight edge but it’s negligible) deep carry clip on the chaparral and it disappears in the pocket.
The delica is no slouch and you should definitely get one but I think a sprint with cool steel or a used would be my choice, personally I think the delica isn’t “good value regardless of price” as that is kind of an oxymoron but the delica is a classic.

[RickC27]

As I've been bit by the Spydie and have acquired 4 new knives in less than a month now, I'm sure I will certain pick up the classic Delica at some point. I also agree when I do it will be a sprint of some sort. Can't build a Spyderco collection without one of its cornerstones.

[Forest Green]

If it's no trouble, a couple of photos would be useful.

Sure

Thanks for posting, I couldn't tell from photo if our lock backs were any different, but the label is obvious.

[curlyhairedboy]

Finally got one of these. I've never been a huge fan of sub-3mm blade stock, but the Chap LW has made me a believer. It's plenty beefy and feels incredibly solid in hand. The choil is what really sets it apart from the Delica. I'm definitely happy with this!

[Nate]

What steel is in that Native? I've never seen one with those color scales before.

2015 Forum Native, S90V.

[MichaelScott]

They are made in Tai Chung. Mine does not have a chamfered edges.

Strange.

[ucfgrad93]

What steel is in that Native? I've never seen one with those color scales before.

2015 Forum Native, S90V.

Thanks!

[Nord]

It would be great to get clarification on this seemingly updated model with chamfered back lock (and possibly made in Japan??).

I would buy one if I can get the chamfered version.

[RickC27]

It would be great to get clarification on this seemingly updated model with chamfered back lock (and possibly made in Japan??).

I would buy one if I can get the chamfered version.

I have one showing up tomorrow. Very curious, and slightly nervous now. What does it say on the blade one the one that says it's from Japan?? I hope Sal sees this thread and can possibly elaborate on this for us.

[curlyhairedboy]

On mine the backlock and blade spine have a tiny chamfer.

[Daveho]

Mind too is chamfered.. I’ll check the box when I get home

[Nord]

On mine the backlock and blade spine have a tiny chamfer.

Do you still have the box? Does yours say Japan? I'm thinking the Japan thing may be a misprint.

Also, when did you get yours?

I wonder when they started chamfering. I suppose the best chance to get a chamfered one is to purchase from a place that sells a high volume and turns over stock frequently.

[cabfrank]

Maybe it's the CQI process in action. Sal will probably let us know when he has time. I was thinking a mistake on the label too. We'll see.

[sal]

Mistake on the label.

sal

[Doc Dan]

It was made by some of the Chapanese in Tokywan.

[MichaelScott]

It was made by some of the Chapanese in Tokywan.

Dan,
Reading your signature lines it occurs to me that you probably remember Lash Larue and Hoppy too.

[RickC27]

Looks like mine also has the Japan sticker. I don't seem to notice any chamfering on my back lock.

[RickC27]

Made in Taiwan, so as Sal said it be a sticker mistake. Maybe that makes ours more valuable, a limited edition! Haha

[Doc Dan]

It was made by some of the Chapanese in Tokywan.

Dan,
Reading your signature lines it occurs to me that you probably remember Lash Larue and Hoppy too.

I do, indeed. I also remember Gene Autry, Randolph Scott, Tom Mix, and of course, John Wayne.