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

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

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

The obvious difference is that the Chaparral is 1 mm (which is 33% in this case) thinner than the Caly 3.5. On top of that, the ergonomics are quite different (differences in choils, thumb ramps, the way the handles terminates where the user's pinky fingers rests). And then, on top of that, the internal stop pin makes the Chaparral Spyderco's best back lock mechanism, bar none.

Of course we all have our own opinions, but for me I see plenty of differentiation.

[cycleguy]

Wartstein,

I think Chaparral XL is an excellent idea!!!!! and I’m fine with “Chaparral XL” naming which is very clear and concise that it is a Chaparral in a longer length. It is what it is, I like that. XL = extra length, not extra large.

Chaparral thin slicey blade in a bit longer length makes more sense to me than the high performance Delica that keeps getting mentioned - and I am a huge fan of the Delica.

A little history:
I was around when you first proposed … and I responded not a knife I would have interest in.

About midway between then and now … I jumped on the bandwagon and reversed that decision and posted that it is a knife I would purchase. Still feel the same today. Hopeful it becomes reality.

Over those years I have owned many Spyderco folder models (PM2, Para 3, Endura, Endela, Stretch, Native 5, Lil Native, Dragonfly, Caly 3, UKPK, something Jumper, to name a few ) …. And all have come and gone.

Delica 4 is my g.o.a.t., and Native Chief is my Golden manufacture collector (since I live near the factory I wanted to collect something Golden), and I’ve held onto two Chaparrals as they are favorite Spyderco, and a Rescue for the serrated edge.

I also think the proposed knife that falls between the Native and the Native Chief is an excellent idea as well.

Keep at it and maybe them cotton-balls will fall from Sal’s & Eric’s ears someday.

CG

[spydergoat]

I would have to try one I think. I am happiest with FRN backlocks, but never justified the Chap as I have that size range covered

[xceptnl]

The Chaparral never really appealed to me other than the maple versions. A longer blade in the same thing stock would be more appealing to me than the Lil Temp, Native or potentially even the Para 2. Either edge would be great and just about any steel Sal wants to throw at it. Selfishly I would love it to be K390 or Cruwear, but even VG10 would make me extremely pleased. I'm ready to place my preorder.

[abbazaba]

This should be awesome if it remains only changed in length.

Chaparral Epic

Yacht

Runabout

Regal

Savanna

Photoslopped proportionately:

[elena86]

This should be awesome if it remains only changed in length.

Chaparral Epic

Yacht

Runabout

Regal

Savanna

Photoslopped proportionately:

Nice ! That’s how I imagined it will look. Now do one in spyderedge

[abbazaba]

Nice ! That’s how I imagined it will look. Now do one in spyderedge

Here you go

[Manixguy@1994]

Nice ! That’s how I imagined it will look. Now do one in spyderedge

Here you go

You are my kind of guy ! ! Dan

[xceptnl]

Nice ! That’s how I imagined it will look. Now do one in spyderedge

Here you go

Might have to call it the shipwreck with a snaggletooth like that. I do like the Runabout nomenclature.

[p_atrick]

Why not call it the Roadrunner? Hear me out, Chaparral was the name of an American race car from back in the day. They had a reputation for “weird” designs. Sal likes race cars, and he’s no stranger to doing “weird” things. The race car took its name from the roadrunner. See, it fits.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaparral_Cars

[Flash]

This should be awesome if it remains only changed in length.

Chaparral Epic

Yacht

Runabout

Regal

Savanna

Photoslopped proportionately:

Nice photoshop work.
The blade profile is not dissimilar to a Native Chief, particularly the fine pointy tip.

I think a wider more robust tip area would be better suited to The Chap XL, possibly even one more similar to that of a Sage to compensate for the increased leverage that could be exerted on it.

I imagine the combination of a fine tip and 2mm blade stock would result in a few swear words.

[sal]

The Concept Model that I'm carrying looks like the one above. Carbon scales.

sal

[Wallach]

The Concept Model that I'm carrying looks like the one above. Carbon scales.

sal

Do you think you'll be able to keep the same stock thickness? If you can get me a 3.5" blade that's still as much of a razor as the Chaparral it'd probably jump all the way to the top of my list.

[abbazaba]

The Concept Model that I'm carrying looks like the one above. Carbon scales.

sal

Stoked! The 1st Chaparral with the blind lock bar screws under CF is still my favorite version, and a gift I had given many times. "Pocket Perfection" IMO.

[Wartstein]

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

Respectfully disagree.

In my opinion a Chap XL would be one of the least redundant realistic Spyderco designs I can think of (regardless if one like the idea or not).

Why?

Just cause there is nothing really comparable yet in Spdercos lineup if you look on the combination of features:

Of course first and foremost the 2mm, ffg blade in a 3.5" length; then there is the uniquely thin carry, while still keeping a rigid and sturdy handle and imo great, locked in ergos. Then the also unique backlock (for Spyderco) with its stop pin.

While the Caly 3.5" in a way / some main aspects is "more of the same" - the "usual" handle thickness, the "usual" 3 - ish blade stock, the "usual" backlock ( - which, don´t get me wrong, is not a bad thing at all! The Caly offers what worked and works great in many Spydies, but is NOT like a Chap XL which would be about trying a whole new concept (= the unique Chap features in a longer format) and if this will work or not.

Also the Chap has the subtle imo "best of both worlds" thumb ramp, while the Caly features a rather steep one.

[Wartstein]

The Concept Model that I'm carrying looks like the one above. Carbon scales.
sal

Looks great, and thanks @abbazaba for the "mock up"!

Though I have to say again: What might worry me a bit is the tip.

- In my experience the tip (generally) is the main or even only place where a blade might realistically snap in even harder folder use.
- Now I think if we´ll ever see a Chap XL, it´s success (or not) on the market will partly depend on if people perceive the thin blade to be strong enough for general EDC, so that one can really make use of the great sliciness and not be too worried.
- If the tip gets too fragile (a higher probability with such a thin blade, depending on the tapering of course) this could be detrimental.

So, personally I´d like to see a tip shape that is LESS pointy when looking at the flat of the blade - perhaps even "blunter" than on the current "small" Chap, since due to the tapering the spine on the XL will be thinner towards the tip already anyway...(and the tip still pointy enough even with a more "blunt" leaf shape of the blade...)

Just my 2c, and of course I´ll be a super happy camper if we ever really see a Chap XL, regardless of the tip shape it would have!

[sal]

The Concept Model that I'm carrying looks like the one above. Carbon scales.

sal

Do you think you'll be able to keep the same stock thickness? If you can get me a 3.5" blade that's still as much of a razor as the Chaparral it'd probably jump all the way to the top of my list.

Hi Wallach,

That's the plan.

sal

[Wallach]

The Concept Model that I'm carrying looks like the one above. Carbon scales.

sal

Do you think you'll be able to keep the same stock thickness? If you can get me a 3.5" blade that's still as much of a razor as the Chaparral it'd probably jump all the way to the top of my list.

Hi Wallach,

That's the plan.

sal

Well, you've got my money at least, day & date.

[Wartstein]

Really like looking at that photoshopped "XL"... almost can "feel" how a longer Chap along those lines must, well, feel in hand and how it would cut...

[Wartstein]

@Bolster also did an I think a tad shorter "XL" mock up in this thread viewtopic.php?p=1765342#p1765342 and I may share it here... also really nice! (tip perhaps a bit stronger than in @abbazaba s version - ?)