The serrated Chaparral is pretty cool

[Wartstein]

That's interesting, I never thought about that, since it worked so great with the Delica SE on the Sharpmaker.

Actually part of why SE is easier to sharpen than the typical V-grind PE:

With SE one can really feel and easily keep the correct angle, just like with a true scandi.

(And has to sharpen only one side)

[JoviAl]

That's interesting, I never thought about that, since it worked so great with the Delica SE on the Sharpmaker.

Actually part of why SE is easier to sharpen than the typical V-grind PE:

With SE one can really feel and easily keep the correct angle, just like with a true scandi.

(And has to sharpen only one side)

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[JoviAl]

Just musing a little on the ease of sharpening @Wartstein mentioned - I always find SE that bit easier to get back to an excellent standard of sharpness. I would posit that this might be that due to the inherent nature of the scallops on SE, in that it rarely gets fully dull or rolled in the recesses.

[Wartstein]

Owning the Chaparral SE for a few days now my first impressions are as followed.

- I haven't owned a Chaparral before, it feels like a premium knife, even with the FRN scales. Fit an finish is perfect, I love the steel backspacer, action is smooth. No complaints from me, except that now I'm tempted to get it in different scale variations.

- I'm unable to flick it open, no chance. So I open it like a gentleman, which somehow seems to fit the concept of the Chaparral anyways.

- The blade. I have to compare it to the Delica SE, and this is where I got really surprised. The blade is really thin, Opinel territory, I really like it. Compared to the Delica the serrrations are way more aggressive, they are deeper and the bevel is much higher. I've tested it on paper, cardboard, onions and tomatoes - it's a great slicer, but I feel like especially on cardboard the Delica worked a bit smoother, especially in a sawing motion the serrations on the Delica don't get hung up that easily. On the tomatoes and onions the clear winner is the Chaparral, no doubt.


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I will carry it for the next couple of weeks. It feels great in the pocket - in the sense that I don't feel it in there. I'm glad it has the wire clip, which I really enjoy. All in all a solid knife.

Also I would like to ask how you guys are planning on sharpening the Chaparral SE. On my Delica SE I've used the Sharpmaker at the 20 degree angle to create ta micro bevel (I think you can clearly see that on the picture above) and it works great, it's a scary sharp knife I would not want to hand to anybody. But the Serrations on the Chaparral are quite different, and seem to be more fragile. If anyone here has already sharpened it, please let me know your process and thoughts.

Thanks for reporting back! Glad you like the Chap!

- Yes, the unique combination of superthin carry and blade, but very solid, high quality built is one of the great things about the Chap

- I actually can thumbflick both of mine (PE and SE FRN), but not with index-, middle- or ring finger (while this works for me with any other backlock Spyderco).
Probably cause the blade is so light.

- You REALLY make me want a K390 Delica SE! I think the Chaps serrations are very good on cardboard already, now our Delica must be something if it is even better!
But keep in mind: The Chaps serrations will only get "mellower" and imo thus "better" over time with sharpening

- Sharpening: Like with @Evil D s piece, my Chap also sharpens up nicely on the 15 degree Sharpmaker setting.
Concerning "more fragile": Different story, but as I always say: The thin Chap PE blade is really NOT fragile, but one can absolutely beat on it, I can say that from a a lot of experience.
I obviously don´t have that long term experience with the SE Chap, but I really don´t baby it: No damage at all so far on the teeth.
I personally will stick to using the 15 degree Sharpmaker setting and think the serrations can take that even in harder use (like whittling hard wood with some twisting of the blade and the like)

[cabfrank]

Interesting that it hasn't been mentioned the Chaparral is more difficult to flick than typical. I suppose the light blade is a factor. I wonder how it compares to the Dragonfly, which is fairly easy with the thumb.

[Wartstein]

Interesting that it hasn't been mentioned the Chaparral is more difficult to flick than typical. I suppose the light blade is a factor. I wonder how it compares to the Dragonfly, which is fairly easy with the thumb.

It actually has been mentioned several times in various threads (including this one), though seldom enough that it can easily be missed.

As said in my post above yours:
The Chap can be flicked with the thumb no problem in my experience, but differently to all other Spyderco backlocks I tried not consistently with any other finger. So it is harder to flick indeed imo.

One reason probably is the light blade, as you and I speculated.
But also the "geometry" concerning where the opening hole sits in relation to the handle/the pivot:
Compared to the Dfly the much less pronounced thumbramp of the Chap makes for a more recessed opening hole (even slightly covered by the scales when closed), so the arc of opening is different.

Anyway: Thumb flicking is my preferred opening method (I find it a bit more convenient, a bit faster and a bit safer in hand than slow rolling) and as long as this works I am a happy camper.

[cabfrank]

I did miss where it was mentioned before.
Thanks for the cockpit info. It's not crucial, but it is good to know and consider. Thumb flicking is my preferred method too, but options are always nice.

[Wartstein]

I did miss where it was mentioned before.
Thanks for the cockpit info. It's not crucial, but it is good to know and consider. Thumb flicking is my preferred method too, but options are always nice.

Easy to miss, since the Chap being hard to flick open probably was only really mentioned in some dedicated "flicking" threads - really not the most important knife topic in the world...

Like probably you too, I am not one of those who likes to flick open a Spydie primarily for fun (though I am fine with people who enjoy just this), but as a valid or for me overall even just best opening method (I am aware of potentially higher wear on the lock interface, but personally never had any issues with that on my backlocks (and except one Manix 2 LW these days I exclusively own backlock Spydies))

I think I may say that I am pretty good in and my fingers well trained for flicking open a knife, and with the Chap this is still harder to do than with any other backlock.
So if one just likes to flick open a knife, but maybe is not really used to it or has "weaker" fingers, the Chap will not be the best choice.

[Wartstein]

...
The reason I like it so much is even though I have quite a few Spyderco’s I normally carry the Native Salt PE and the Dfly Salt SE but the Chap SE is so good it’s all I need for EDC plus it would allow me to carry a larger knife if I was so inclined…I apologize for yet again raving about this little beast but it has really won me over…Taiwan is already set up for salt production and Magnacut so maybe one day it’ll happen

....
In all honesty I literally don’t bother carrying any other knife at home anymore unless I have a need of a particular blade shape. I sincerely hope Sal et al deem fit to make some other permutations of it in SE, otherwise I’m not going to be buying many knives in future. Well, for myself at least.

I allowed myself to not quote you guys in the "in your pocket" thread, but in this one cause it just fits.

To me this "at home carry" aspect has become a great niche for the Chap SE:
Almost unnoticeable in carry, but often the just best and most efficient choice among all my knives for tasks that spontaneously occur at home. And if one really requires a larger knife, I have those right at hand anyway.

[JoviAl]

...
The reason I like it so much is even though I have quite a few Spyderco’s I normally carry the Native Salt PE and the Dfly Salt SE but the Chap SE is so good it’s all I need for EDC plus it would allow me to carry a larger knife if I was so inclined…I apologize for yet again raving about this little beast but it has really won me over…Taiwan is already set up for salt production and Magnacut so maybe one day it’ll happen

....
In all honesty I literally don’t bother carrying any other knife at home anymore unless I have a need of a particular blade shape. I sincerely hope Sal et al deem fit to make some other permutations of it in SE, otherwise I’m not going to be buying many knives in future. Well, for myself at least.

I allowed myself to not quote you guys in the "in your pocket" thread, but in this one cause it just fits.

To me this "at home carry" aspect has become a great niche for the Chap SE:
Almost unnoticeable in carry, but often the just best and most efficient choice among all my knives for tasks that spontaneously occur at home. And if one really requires a larger knife, I have those right at hand anyway.

I absolutely agree

[elena86]

Just received mine. I am not a fan of the wavy serrations but I must admit it's a beasty. I was bitten twice even before realizing it. These kind of serrations are deceiving. The rounded tips might give you the impression that the little sucker is not that sharp but the bloody thing cuts like a razor. Someone wrote that it's obsidian sharp and he was right. I am sure the fact that the blade is so thin only helps but I am a convert anyway. It's a huge pleasant surprise for me. We need a longer similar blade Sal. Keep it thin and give it teeth.

[twinboysdad]

Just received mine. I am not a fan of the wavy serrations but I must admit it's a beasty. I was bitten twice even before realizing it. These kind of serrations are deceiving. The rounded tips might give you the impression that the little sucker is not that sharp but the bloody thing cuts like a razor. Someone wrote that it's obsidian sharp and he was right. I am sure the fact that the blade is so thin only helps but I am a convert anyway. It's a huge pleasant surprise for me. We need a longer similar blade Sal. Keep it thin and give it teeth.

My SE Chapparel has spilled more of my blood than the rest of my collection combined. Like you touch your skin and it bleeds sharp

[sal]

Hi Marius,

The serrations on the Chaparral are proper. One of our Engineers, Morton, sent proper 3D drawings and dimensions to the maker and the maker followed them exactly. I am thrilled with the results. I've been trying to get rid of pointy Spikey serrations from the makers for years. I think maybe we may be getting there. That's why I've always said to sharpen SE on the Sharpmaker to round off the points.

sal

[Evil D]

Hi Marius,

The serrations on the Chaparral are proper. One of our Engineers, Morton, sent proper 3D drawings and dimensions to the maker and the maker followed them exactly. I am thrilled with the results. I've been trying to get rid of pointy Spikey serrations from the makers for years. I think maybe we may be getting there. That's why I've always said to sharpen SE on the Sharpmaker to round off the points.

sal

You're doing a great job, not just with this knife but whatever the folks in Taichung did for the Caribbean is also very excellent. The Golden serrations are also better than any I've tried from the past, particularly on the Native and Chief, though as you said they could be a little less pointy. How are all these factories cutting them, is it still on a formed grinding wheel? Do you have the technology to cut serrations with a robot or am I just wishing that was a reality?

[sal]

Thanx David,

I have to give credit to crew, Mort, for engineering, Taichung for making it work, and the Golden knifemakers for getting it down on our in house teeth..

A formed wheel is still the most efficient way to form the teeth, at least for now.

sal

[zhyla]

I am not a fan of the wavy serrations but I must admit it's a beasty.

I know what you mean. It doesn't look as aggressive as the old style serrations. I think that aesthetic doesn't inspire as much confidence as the sharp points.

I assume wavy SE work as well or better than the pointy teeth based on comments of Sal and others. I don't think I've really used mine enough to comment on that.

[Wartstein]

Just received mine. I am not a fan of the wavy serrations but I must admit it's a beasty. I was bitten twice even before realizing it. These kind of serrations are deceiving. The rounded tips might give you the impression that the little sucker is not that sharp but the bloody thing cuts like a razor. Someone wrote that it's obsidian sharp and he was right. I am sure the fact that the blade is so thin only helps but I am a convert anyway. It's a huge pleasant surprise for me. We need a longer similar blade Sal. Keep it thin and give it teeth.

Thanks for reporting back and posting your impressions... and "welcome to the club" The Chap SE imo just is a true highlight even among the many great designs and variations Spyderco gave us in the last years. I can´t get enough of cutting up things with mine, the performance is just something else.

Also thanks for supporting the "quest" for a Chap XL. As I always say: NOT just the "same old wish" for a larger or smaller version of model x,y,z... but a) transforming a unique and great whole concept to a longer and more versatile format and b) starting kind of an experiment how well (or not) this thin, superslicey blade would work and hold up in "long" (about Endela size). I´d expect great things from such a knife, and also that the blade would still be strong enough, especially in the Chap leaf shape with its not too pointy (and thus not too fragile) tip...

[Wartstein]

I am not a fan of the wavy serrations but I must admit it's a beasty.

I know what you mean. It doesn't look as aggressive as the old style serrations. I think that aesthetic doesn't inspire as much confidence as the sharp points.

I assume wavy SE work as well or better than the pointy teeth based on comments of Sal and others. I don't think I've really used mine enough to comment on that.

I don´t want to and can´t speak too much for @elena86 , perhaps he would like to weigh in himself, but since I asked him specifically to share his impressions concerning the Chap serrations I may say a few words:
As far as I know Marius (elena86) is one of the very few who actually prefers the old, "pointy-spikey" (quoting @sal ) serrations due to the way he (fully) sharpens those.

I personally and with how I (perhaps more sloppy) sharpen serrations much prefer the "wavy" ones, and the fact that they usually get even "wavier" with sharpening.

[Wartstein]

Hi Marius,

The serrations on the Chaparral are proper. One of our Engineers, Morton, sent proper 3D drawings and dimensions to the maker and the maker followed them exactly. I am thrilled with the results. I've been trying to get rid of pointy Spikey serrations from the makers for years. I think maybe we may be getting there. That's why I've always said to sharpen SE on the Sharpmaker to round off the points.

sal

You have every right to be that, Sal!

Both concerning the performance of the Chap serrations and the whole great design!
If the Chap SE came in "long" I think I would rarely carry anything else.

[WilliamMunny]

I agree with everyone the design of the teeth on the Chap has been great. It is quickly becoming my go to knife when I am in a suit for work.