I purchased a Chinook several weeks ago and now that I've had a chance to use it, play with it, and do the usual breaking-in that knife-lovers do with a new acquisition, I thought I'd share a thing or two.
A bit of background to this purchase: why a Chinook?
My carry-knife while clubbing on weekends in Los Angeles and San Diego knife was a Benchmade BM710, which got stolen several months ago. I bought the Chinook to replace it.
Why not get another BM710? The construction of the Benchmade seemed excellent, and it felt like an extension of my hand when it was open. The axis lock was fun to play with and it definitely made an impression when you opened it. The length was perfect and it felt great in my hand. So why switch?
The one advantage to Spyderco design, specifically the CLIPIT knives with the tip-down carry, is that you can do a "Spyder-drop" opening, when pulling the knife out of the pocket by the hole in the blade. That one feature makes the knife about as fast to deploy out of the pocket (for me) as it gets, and definitely a tactical advantage, at least, from my point of view. With the Benchmade, you had to pull it completely from the pocket and find the lock (or the thumbstud) with your thumb to deploy the blade. Not much difference, you may say. Perhaps...but there *is* a difference.
Another thing is the Chinook is made of materials of equal, if not better, quality than the Benchmade. I consider CPM 440V to be superior to ATS-34, but that's my opinion. I noticed the Chinook had G-10 scales with stainless liners, just like the BM710. The lock on the Chinook is pretty hefty. Almost *too* hefty (translation: "stiff" ) and it's taken me this long to work out the stiffness. The Chinook's lock may not be as exotic as the Axis lock, but there are times when exotic may not be a good thing. I hear sand does terrible things to the Axis lock (shudder).
However, the stiffness of my Chinook has been worked out and I can now deploy the knife out of my pocket about as quickly as I can my Endura SS, or my Navigator, or my old Police model (which was also stolen; curses!).
Also, I have a high regard for the work of James A. Keating, when it comes to MBC, as it's called around here, and having some experience in martial arts myself, I thought his design was well thought out and executed.
How does the Chinook carry? It's big, and a bit heavy. Not too big or heavy for me. I, myself, am big and heavy, after all, and I hardly notice the knife on me. It doesn't carry as well or as comfortably as my Endura, but what does? It's about twice as thick and just a bit heavier than the Endura SS, but it opens like a bank-vault, and looks intimidating as **** (which may mean I will never have to use it, even if I pull it in my defense, or so it is to be hoped), so the trade-off, to me, is more than worth it. It also feels great in my hand in just about any grip that makes sense, and that's saying a lot for a folder.
I've managed to get a hair-flinging edge on the thing, but it took a while. It's not as easy to sharpen as AUS6, but the little cutting I've done with it doesn't seem to have affected the edge one bit. It still flings hair.
All in all, I think I've made a great choice. I love the feel of the knife in my hand, I love the way it cuts and holds an edge, and I can whip it out faster than you can say SPYDERCO.
Me very happy.
Edited by - Shang Chi on 10/29/2002 11:57:46 PM
Edited by - Shang Chi on 10/29/2002 11:58:21 PM
Edited by - Shang Chi on 10/30/2002 12:06:15 AM
The Chinook
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AllenETreat
- Member
- Posts: 3156
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: The Constitution State USA
Shang chi :
GREAT REVIEW! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> If I was still in the Army it would be my carry ; first, because of the sturdy lock-up, second, the "bowie" bladeshape, and third, that 8oz weight. If you couldn't deploy the blade in time you could clobber your opponent with it! <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Yo made a wise choice!
ATE <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
GREAT REVIEW! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> If I was still in the Army it would be my carry ; first, because of the sturdy lock-up, second, the "bowie" bladeshape, and third, that 8oz weight. If you couldn't deploy the blade in time you could clobber your opponent with it! <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Yo made a wise choice!
ATE <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>