Another thread for discussing a Chaparral XL - now that it came one step closer to becoming a reality

[Wartstein]

I started at least two threads about this topic already since 2019 (the first one including a poll) viewtopic.php?t=82492 ; viewtopic.php?p=1377379#p1377379)
and talked about this dream knife a ton.

Since Sal announced he´d be willing to make and test a 3.5" concept Chap XL(viewtopic.php?p=1814230#p1814230), now follows through (viewtopic.php?p=1830026#p1830026) and motivated by @Manix Guy 2 s input I thought a new, dedicated thread for sharing thoughts could do no harm
(I am fully aware that this of course still does not mean we´ll ever see a Chap XL actually in the lineup.. but still... )

My personal ideal "vision" for a Chap XL again:

- Compared to the current Chap FRN nothing should be changed, except length.

So same handle thinness, same handle height, same great backlock with stop pin, same sturdy construction (exposed steel liners, steel backspacer), and - most important to me:
Same thin, 2mm ffg bladestock also in the longer blade (how thin it would get in the end depends a lot on the tapering of course).

- Practical thoughts

I think the 2mm ffg XHP blade should be strong enough to handle almost all folder tasks people realistically do (as long as the tip keeps the rather "blunt" leaf blade shape of the current Chap and does not get too pointy)

This should become a general EDC knife with a great, superthin carry, very sturdy built but nevertheless still light (Current Chap FRN closed length 91 mm /3.60" ; weight 60 grams /2.1 oz.
Lengthen this to about 119 mm / 4.69" closed (like an Endela) and it should come in at about 75 g / 2.65 oz (LIGHTER than an Endela)

All this in "TWO sizes larger", so not "just" kind of a thin, backlock Sage, but about Endela size (3.5" blade).

[JoviAl]

I started at least two threads about this topic already since 2019 (the first one including a poll) viewtopic.php?t=82492 ; viewtopic.php?p=1377379#p1377379)
and talked about this dream knife a ton.

Since Sal announced he´d be willing to make and test a 3.5" concept Chap XL(viewtopic.php?p=1814230#p1814230), now follows through (viewtopic.php?p=1830026#p1830026) and motivated by @Manix Guy 2 s input I thought a new, dedicated thread for sharing thoughts could do no harm
(I am fully aware that this of course still does not mean we´ll ever see a Chap XL actually in the lineup.. but still... )

My personal ideal "vision" for a Chap XL again:

- Compared to the current Chap FRN nothing should be changed, except length.

So same handle thinness, same handle height, same great backlock with stop pin, same sturdy construction (exposed steel liners, steel backspacer), and - most important to me:
Same thin, 2mm ffg bladestock also in the longer blade (how thin it would get in the end depends a lot on the tapering of course).

- Practical thoughts

I think the 2mm ffg XHP blade should be strong enough to handle almost all folder tasks people realistically do (as long as the tip keeps the rather "blunt" leaf blade shape of the current Chap and does not get too pointy)

This should become a general EDC knife with a great, superthin carry, very sturdy built but nevertheless still light (Current Chap FRN closed length 91 mm /3.60" ; weight 60 grams /2.1 oz.
Lengthen this to about 119 mm / 4.69" closed (like an Endela) and it should come in at about 75 g / 2.65 oz (LIGHTER than an Endela)

All this in "TWO sizes larger", so not "just" kind of a thin, backlock Sage, but about Endela size (3.5" blade).

YES! to all of the above

I would be especially thrilled if the blade came in something a tad more rust resistant than XHP, but let’s face it - I’ll be buying some even if it was made from pot metal

Thanks for making this new thread Gernot

[elena86]

I hope and pray for a decent stalnless steel and even more important, for a SPYDEREDGED variant. The LW Chapie in spyderedge is in my pocket right now. I love this thing. I call it “my little obsidian”.

[olywa]

I'm on board! Magnacut for both toughness and corrosion resistance would be a great choice.

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

Agreed on all accounts. The only thing I'd add is my preference for a Boye dent, which is pretty much my only nit-pick on the newer Chaparral LW's.

As for steel, I don't mind if they stick with XHP, but of course I'd love to see MagnaCut or LC200N. Just make a SE version and I'm a buyer.

[thuyenbuom]

I'm all in for a Chaparral XL version and ditto olywa's earlier comment: "Magnacut for both toughness and corrosion resistance would be a great choice."

[Mushroom]

I don't mean to be such a stickler about names but I'm really hoping to see Spyderco separate this one from the original Chaparral series with more than just an added "XL" acronym.

[Mat_ski]

Agree with everyone above. It would be an instabuy for me unless the price was crazy.

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

I don't mean to be such a stickler about names but I'm really hoping to see Spyderco separate this one from the original Chaparral series with more than just an added "XL" acronym.

Yeah I mostly feel the same way, especially when it comes to knives that wouldn't normally be considered large, let alone extra-large.

I do like what Spyderco did with the Native and Native Chief designations (instead of "Native & Native XL," which must've been tempting given that they already had the Lil' Native). Maybe they will find a fun way to do something similar when naming this larger Chaparral.

[Infinite Zero]

Instabuy no matter what, but I’d like it with g10 scales. I don’t think the Chap has ever had them. Closest was the CF/G10 laminate.

[Wartstein]

Instabuy no matter what, but I’d like it with g10 scales. I don’t think the Chap has ever had them. Closest was the CF/G10 laminate.

The "sun and moon" features (featured...) G10 scales...
(... and I would not mind that as a version of an "XL" (or whatever the name could be) too... - just dreaming of course)

[Jumpin'Spyder]

I love so much the actual LW SE that I will buy every iteration of the Chappy :-))) ..even if I do not love big knife (I mean the size of the LW is perfect for me).

For the steels I would like obviously MagnaCut but also k390 or CruWear; CPM 15V would be a dream like all other supersteels.

Every kind of handle could be fine for me but my preference should go to Micarta (Mi-Carta)...and in this case I will use the gorgeous and historical nickname of "Magna Carta" :-)))))

[Coastal]

Automatic buy, that could possibly become one of my favorite knives. Hard to unseat larger knives, but still. This would be an awesome knife!

Edit: In honor of Wartstein's countryside, call it the High Chaparral.

[Mushroom]

I don't mean to be such a stickler about names but I'm really hoping to see Spyderco separate this one from the original Chaparral series with more than just an added "XL" acronym.

Yeah I mostly feel the same way, especially when it comes to knives that wouldn't normally be considered large, let alone extra-large.

I do like what Spyderco did with the Native and Native Chief designations (instead of "Native & Native XL," which must've been tempting given that they already had the Lil' Native). Maybe they will find a fun way to do something similar when naming this larger Chaparral.

Exactly! The name Native Chief is so much better than Native XL!

This knife has been discussed on numerous occasions in the past and I've shared similar thoughts about the name. Rather than paraphrase what I've said in the past, I'll just copy and paste it instead.

"I personally believe they should at least be more creative with the name than just “Chaparral 2” or “Chaparral XL.” Something that really removes it from the traditional Chaparral series but still recognizes where it came from.

After a little bit of research I’ve noticed an interesting connection between the Chaparral and Sage names. “Sagebrush” is one of the most dominant plant species that makes up the “Chaparral” biome. The name “Sage” is easily derived from “Sagebrush” and with the Sagebrush being a large part of the “Chaparral biome,” one could make the case that is why the “Chaparral” was named the way it was.

Another interesting similarity is that they’re both controlled series’ that feature a uniquely different feature per variation. (Lock and Handle material) It’s almost as if they were always intended to be the bigger and smaller versions of each other. [In the past Sal has explained that the Sage was created as the larger version of the Chaparral.]

Circling back to my point about naming the “longer Chaparral” that you’re looking for, I think the model name should be similarly as creative and well-considered as the Sage and Chaparral names already are. One idea I came up with is the name “Chamise” or “Chamise Chaparral.” (shə-ˈmēs - shuh mees) It is a shrub species that grows in the Chaparral biome and has one of the largest growing ranges of any Chaparral species. It would be similar to how the Native 5 evolved into the Native Chief and not the Native XL. I can’t even begin to describe how much better the name “Native Chief” is over “Native XL.”"

From the thread - Now that Sal has mentioned that possibility: Chaparral FRN variants? (blade shape, color, steel...) - your proposals?

[Wartstein]

...
Circling back to my point about naming the “longer Chaparral” that you’re looking for, I think the model name should be similarly as creative and well-considered as the Sage and Chaparral names already are. One idea I came up with is the name “Chamise” or “Chamise Chaparral.” (shə-ˈmēs - shuh mees) It is a shrub species that grows in the Chaparral biome and has one of the largest growing ranges of any Chaparral species. It would be similar to how the Native 5 evolved into the Native Chief and not the Native XL. I can’t even begin to describe how much better the name “Native Chief” is over “Native XL.”"[/size]

I am quite sure I said it back then and I´ll say it again:

I´d really like that name for a larger Chap! Anyway and especially with all the background thoughts and logic.

[Flash]

I personally don’t mind what they call it, a larger Chaparral in the 3.4”-3.8” blade length range is a brilliant idea.

The main thing is the stock thickness - it must remain 2mm to be a proper standalone model, and maintain the models low BTE geometry. That would be the main thing to separate it from anything else in the Spyderco range.

Give it more steel options and I’d see the model becoming something of an “edge enthusiasts” go-to model.
…Maybe more steel options is something that can be carried across to the current, standard-size Chaparral in the interim without too much hassle?

[Paul Ardbeg]

For me it's a must that the blad thickness remains as is, the sliceyness is what's so appealing to me. Also would like to see other steel options such as Magnacut or maybe a tool steel like K390. I already requested this in the past and understand that things like stepped titanium scales are unlikely. I would love to see, besides FRN, a S90v and flutted CF version like the Native 5. I would sell my left kidney for such an itteration

[Manixguy@1994]

I don't mean to be such a stickler about names but I'm really hoping to see Spyderco separate this one from the original Chaparral series with more than just an added "XL" acronym.

Yeah I mostly feel the same way, especially when it comes to knives that wouldn't normally be considered large, let alone extra-large.

I do like what Spyderco did with the Native and Native Chief designations (instead of "Native & Native XL," which must've been tempting given that they already had the Lil' Native). Maybe they will find a fun way to do something similar when naming this larger Chaparral.

Exactly! The name Native Chief is so much better than Native XL!

This knife has been discussed on numerous occasions in the past and I've shared similar thoughts about the name. Rather than paraphrase what I've said in the past, I'll just copy and paste it instead.

"I personally believe they should at least be more creative with the name than just “Chaparral 2” or “Chaparral XL.” Something that really removes it from the traditional Chaparral series but still recognizes where it came from.

After a little bit of research I’ve noticed an interesting connection between the Chaparral and Sage names. “Sagebrush” is one of the most dominant plant species that makes up the “Chaparral” biome. The name “Sage” is easily derived from “Sagebrush” and with the Sagebrush being a large part of the “Chaparral biome,” one could make the case that is why the “Chaparral” was named the way it was.

Another interesting similarity is that they’re both controlled series’ that feature a uniquely different feature per variation. (Lock and Handle material) It’s almost as if they were always intended to be the bigger and smaller versions of each other. [In the past Sal has explained that the Sage was created as the larger version of the Chaparral.]

Circling back to my point about naming the “longer Chaparral” that you’re looking for, I think the model name should be similarly as creative and well-considered as the Sage and Chaparral names already are. One idea I came up with is the name “Chamise” or “Chamise Chaparral.” (shə-ˈmēs - shuh mees) It is a shrub species that grows in the Chaparral biome and has one of the largest growing ranges of any Chaparral species. It would be similar to how the Native 5 evolved into the Native Chief and not the Native XL. I can’t even begin to describe how much better the name “Native Chief” is over “Native XL.”"

From the thread - Now that Sal has mentioned that possibility: Chaparral FRN variants? (blade shape, color, steel...) - your proposals?

I agree , ditch the XL moniker and give the knife a well deserved name of its own . I have no problem with steel on the Chap , but would like to see a different steel with more performance for PE and SE and give the knife its own identity. MG2

[Tristan_david2001]

Personally quite a redundant design imo. The caly 3.5 exists, and essentially has all the features of chap but bigger.. designs are getting a lot more redundant in general nowadays. Nothing will beat the old days

[Catchadroppimgknife]

For names I agree Chaparral XL needs more juice

Along the line of biome -

“ Montane” borrowed from Latin montānus "of the mountains, living in the mountains

Montane ecosystems are found on the slopes of mountains. Given the location of Spyderco this might be a consideration