Where are the Chaparral steels?

[Mushroom]

I like smaller knives in ultra-hard steels, so REX-121 a Chap for me!

An XL (roughly Endela size) could become the best knife they ever made imo - and it should absolutely maintain everything that makes a Chap a Chap. So not "just" the thin blade, but also the thin handle, the overall handle and blade height, only made longer (handle and blade), nothing else changed.

For the folks who haven't seen a mockup of your stretched-chap idea yet, the "Chapastein" (or was it the "Wartarral"? I forget which):

I've always said if they make a larger a Chaparral, I'd like to see it adopt a new creative name as a way of differentiating it from the formal Chaparral series but if it had to be called the "Chapastein," that would be perfectly acceptable to me as well.

[Flash]

Also 20CV in 2mm stock which was available for the Watu at Taichung. Wouldn’t mind trying some of that on the Chap if they happen to have some left over…

[Wartstein]

Also 20CV in 2mm stock which was available for the Watu at Taichung. Wouldn’t mind trying some of that on the Chap if they happen to have some left over…

Watu bladestock is actually 2.5 mm, so just like a Delica (still nice and thin, especially for a comp.lock (or also linerlock) Spydie!)

I am pretty sure that the Chap is the only ffg Spydie that comes in just 2 mm stock? (Except the Catcherman sprint with even less 1.8 mm)

[Wartstein]

For the folks who haven't seen a mockup of your stretched-chap idea yet, the "Chapastein" (or was it the "Wartarral"? I forget which):

Thanks, this looks pretty good! (Assuming it would have the same overall thinness (blade and handle) that he current Chap offers. And be long enough so that also larger hands could get a good four finger grip also behind the choil (so for me Sage or Native size would be too small, Endela size great)

¹@Bolster @Mushroom - also thanks for the name suggestion, I am honored
But having a part in naming a knife just for being a nuisance by constantly advocating for a dream-Spydie would be a bit much...

[Doc Dan]

I don't think I would want a larger chaparral because then there's the sage. I would not mind seeing new steels, especially in the lightweight version. The chaparral is always been slated for showing off different handle materials and things and not steels. However, a chaparral salt (isn't there one coming) is a good idea with magna cut. I would actually like to see the base steel for all chaparral Be SPY 27.

[Wartstein]

I don't think I would want a larger chaparral because then there's the sage. I would not mind seeing new steels, especially in the lightweight version. The chaparral is always been slated for showing off different handle materials and things and not steels. However, a chaparral salt (isn't there one coming) is a good idea with magna cut. I would actually like to see the base steel for all chaparral Be SPY 27.

Doc, the Sage must be a great knife in itself, but it is VERY far from being what a Chaparral XL should be (even the backlock Sage 4 is)
The Sage has a very similar shape when looking at the knives from the side, but that´s about it.

The Sage is in a way "more of the same" - and I do mean explicitly "more of the same things that work great for many",(!) don´t get me wrong! It is in the "usual" blade stock thickness range, has the "usual" comp.lock (cause realistically available is only the Sage 5, right?), the "usual" handle thickness and so on.

A Chap XL though would be about bringing the unique for Spyderco Chap features (2mm thin ffg blade; supersolid backlock with internal stop pin; very thin, but extremely solid built and carry,..) in a larger, more versatile knife, where one could among other things make even better use of the slicey blade.

Also, a Chap XL should definitely be LARGER than a Sage - as said, offering a good four finger grip also behind the choil and a blade long enough for making real use of the sliciness of the 2mm ffg stock. So about Endela size (larger than a Sage)

[Wartstein]

... The chaparral is always been slated for showing off different handle materials and things and not steels. However, a chaparral salt (isn't there one coming) is a good idea with magna cut. I would actually like to see the base steel for all chaparral Be SPY 27.

I may post again what Sal had to say to this about 2.5 years ago (viewtopic.php?p=1613132#p1613132) - I personally really liked to hear that!!

" I made the FRN version [of the Chaparral] because I felt there was a market for a less expensive utility version. This also offers opportunity for colors, exclusive variations and who knows what else. I'm currently testing a serrated version, which is performing well."

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

A Chaparral Salt would be super interesting given the line's intent to showcase different handle materials. Has there ever been a yellow G10 (or yellow micarta, I suppose) Salt model?

[Mushroom]

I don't think I would want a larger chaparral because then there's the sage. I would not mind seeing new steels, especially in the lightweight version. The chaparral is always been slated for showing off different handle materials and things and not steels. However, a chaparral salt (isn't there one coming) is a good idea with magna cut. I would actually like to see the base steel for all chaparral Be SPY 27.

You are correct saying that the Sage is a larger Chaparral, as that was exactly Sal's intention. The Chaparral was designed to be a smaller Sage.

There are, at least, two ways to define what makes a larger version of a Spyderco knife though - for example Delica to Endura versus Native 5 to Native Chief. The Chaparral is a smaller Sage in the same way the Delica is a smaller Endura. What I interpret Wartsteins desire to be, is a larger Chaparral in the same way the Native Chief is a larger Native 5.

The Native Chief maintains the same "cockpit" and design specs as the Native 5 but the blade and handle are extended respectively. The difference between the two models is exclusively length.

The Endura shares much of the same design language as the Delica but numerous other specs change with the overall size difference. Handle height, blade thickness, blade shape, etc. The differences are subtle but they're noticeably more than just a length difference. This is how the Chaparral can be viewed in relation to the Sage.

So in this case, I believe Warstein is asking for a Chaparral with the only difference in specs from the current iteration to be overall length.

[ASmitty]

I would definitely buy a larger Chap Lightweight in any steel/color combo Spyderco offered. Navy blue FRN and 20CV would be top tier though.

[Wartstein]

You are correct saying that the Sage is a larger Chaparral, as that was exactly Sal's intention. The Chaparral was designed to be a smaller Sage.

There are, at least, two ways to define what makes a larger version of a Spyderco knife though - for example Delica to Endura versus Native 5 to Native Chief. The Chaparral is a smaller Sage in the same way the Delica is a smaller Endura. What I interpret Wartsteins desire to be, is a larger Chaparral in the same way the Native Chief is a larger Native 5.

The Native Chief maintains the same "cockpit" and design specs as the Native 5 but the blade and handle are extended respectively. The difference between the two models is exclusively length.

The Endura shares much of the same design language as the Delica but numerous other specs change with the overall size difference. Handle height, blade thickness, blade shape, etc. The differences are subtle but they're noticeably more than just a length difference. This is how the Chaparral can be viewed in relation to the Sage.

So in this case, I believe Warstein is asking for a Chaparral with the only difference in specs from the current iteration to be overall length.

Perfectly said, and just like I tried to explain this myself in the past!

I figure not only, but especially in a typical EDC knife, many would appreciate the Chap features in a lengthened, but otherwise unchanged form. The supernice, thin carry with still decent ergos, the extremely solid lockup and first and foremost the very slicey, thin blade, that just makes a majority of typical tasks easier to perform imo and would be even more efficient when longer.

I could be wrong of course, but at least we don´t HAVE a Spydie yet that combines all of that features in a larger, more versatile size, so perhaps it would be worth trying out how the reception would be... and if one thinks of most folks "EDC situation" (knife 99.99% of time in pocket, so the thin carry would be nice, and most tasks could not only be done, but perhaps even done BETTER with a thin blade) it maybe could work out....?
Well, of course Sal will know... 99.99 times better than me

[cabfrank]

I still want to, must, can't wait to try the current SE model, but I'd certainly be interested in other SE models as well, especially Salts.

[cabfrank]

...and of course the XL Wartstein wants as well.

[RazorSharp86]

I concur.
A Chap with MC, Rex and other cool steels would be a treat. The geometry is very exciting and different

[sal]

OK. For the sake of discussion, What blade size would you want this Chappy XL to be?

sal

[WilliamMunny]

It’s currently just under 3”, so would just under 3.5” work?

Anything approaching 4” IMO would be too big.

[Flash]

OK. For the sake of discussion, What blade size would you want this Chappy XL to be?

sal

Hi Sal,

I think a 3.8” blade would be a nice size step up, but the most important dimension would be maintaining the 2mm blade stock of the original.

[Red Leader]

It’s currently just under 3”, so would just under 3.5” work?

Anything approaching 4” IMO would be too big.

Yeah, I concur. 3.48" so I can legally carry it here in Colorado. Purely selfish, but that is my request!

[Red Leader]

OK. For the sake of discussion, What blade size would you want this Chappy XL to be?

sal

Hi Sal,

I think a 3.8” blade would be a nice size step up, but the most important dimension would be maintaining the 2mm blade stock of the original.

2mm stock thickness, yes. And serrations.

And...K390???

[Wartstein]

OK. For the sake of discussion, What blade size would you want this Chappy XL to be?

sal

Sal, I know this does not mean by any means we´ll actually ever see a Chap XL, but it is so cool already discussing this with you! It is a dream knife if mine for years now!

- To me main thing in a Chap XL would be that it keeps the 2mm blade stock

- In the current small Chap imo it is vastly underestimated what this thin blade can take in that broad leaf blade with its not too pointy tip (I tested and use this thing pretty hard for a folder)
- Now I don´t know at what length a 2mm ffg blade WOULD actually start to get a bit too weak for giving it in peoples hand for all kinds of EDC tasks without the risk of breaking it, but I guess Endela size would still be fine?`(Depening also on things like tapering, steel type and grind?)

- So I think a 3.5 " blade would be perfect for a Chap XL!

- In any case it should be clearly longer than a Sage in my laymans mind:
1.) I think especially LONGER blades profit from thin stock
2.) A Chap XL should offer a good four finger grip also BEHIND the choil, and Sage-size does perhaps not do this for bigger hands

Sal, thanks once more for discussing this! Really makes my day!