Chaparral titanium grip and scratching

jackknifeh · #1

Those of you who have been using the Chaparral ti, is the grip similar to SS, and how does the handle show scratches?

Jack

The Deacon · #2

Jack, I think the grip has a bit more traction than brushed stainless, but not much. You can feel the hills and valleys with the ball of your finger, but the lines are so fine you barely feel them if you drag your fingernail across them. As for scratching, I haven't carried mine enough to really say. Not to mention that I must be fairly gentle with my knives since I've carried stainless bolstered Kiwis for years without ever really messing one up. However, IMHO, metal handles tend to be very unforgiving and unless you get one fully engraved every scratch and ding is going to stand out like a sore thumb. While the finish of the ti Chaparral is "busy" enough that it might hide some of them, I doubt it would hide most.

jackknifeh · #3

The Deacon wrote:Jack, I think the grip has a bit more traction than brushed stainless, but not much. You can feel the hills and valleys with the ball of your finger, but the lines are so fine you barely feel them if you drag your fingernail across them. As for scratching, I haven't carried mine enough to really say. Not to mention that I must be fairly gentle with my knives since I've carried stainless bolstered Kiwis for years without ever really messing one up. However, IMHO, metal handles tend to be very unforgiving and unless you get one fully engraved every scratch and ding is going to stand out like a sore thumb. While the finish of the ti Chaparral is "busy" enough that it might hide some of them, I doubt it would hide most.

The titanium bolsters on my Sage4 got so scratched so fast and easily that I even quit considering it "pretty". No problem for me since I now use it as a pretty hard use folder. I even put some G-10 scales on it, stonewashed the blade and bolsters and have some dymondwood on order for another set of scales. I love this knife tones but it's no longer even close to a gents folder or pretty. The stonewash does hide most of the scratching though. What I have done to this wonderful knife may send shivers down some spines. haha :)

The Chaparral ti, however could never make the transition like the Sage4 did. Therefore, I'm more worried about the scratching of the handles. I have wanted the XHP steel though but now the CF model will be having it. So, do I get another CF knife or the ti model having the only real goal of an XHP blade? Two Chaparrals on any configuration in not bad. Great knife. I wouldn't want two identical ones though.

Jack

Jack

gbelleh · #4

The scales do scratch easily. Mine actually came with a small scratch. The texture might hide some scratches, but I'm not sure if scratches will be able to be removed with a scotchbrite pad or steel wool (I haven't wanted to try it).

But, so far the finish is holding up well with light use.

nightburn · #5

I've been carrying mine almost everyday since release and it's developed a noticeable scratch where the clip touches the TI. Otherwise it's perfect. The finish definitely helps hide some scratches over SS.

jackknifeh · #6

Does anyone notice any difference in S30V and XHP and if so what is it? I appreciate any info. I don't use knives hard, even the ones that can handle it. Maybe occasionally but not often. For me, S30V is a great steel for me. I have no problem with it's edge retention. It gets sharp easily. If I were to get another Chaparral I wouldn't want the CF handle with XHP unless there was enough imporvement in the steel to justify it (im my mind). If I decide on the ti model it would be for the handle since the CF will have XHP soon (when?).

Leatherneck · #7

I've only had 2 XHP knives and while I am quite certain it is an excellent steel unless a person is benchmarking/testing I don't think there is a big difference for everyday use. If you aren't a heavy user I doubt you'd ever know the difference as S30V is such a proven, quality blade steel. But hey, it's got more letters! :D

jackknifeh · #8

Leatherneck wrote:I've only had 2 XHP knives and while I am quite certain it is an excellent steel unless a person is benchmarking/testing I don't think there is a big difference for everyday use. If you aren't a heavy user I doubt you'd ever know the difference as S30V is such a proven, quality blade steel. But hey, it's got more letters! :D

More letters. Well,,, that's something anyway. :D

Jack

INFRNL · #9

I am not sure how the Chaparral titanium is but the sage 4 can be made like new with steel wool. I edc my sage 4 all the time and it scrathes very very easy. I imagine the Chaparral could be cleaned up fairly easy

tvenuto · #10

I don't want to be a naysayer INFRNL, but using steel wool on the ChapTi is probably a bad idea. While a scratch could be removed with steel wool or buffing, you'd definitely start to lose some of what makes this knife unique: the sharp contrast between the facets as well as the subtle effect of the finish on the light reflection. Mine is still unscratched (in any noticeable way), but I do think the facets and finish will distract from any but the most egregious gouges far more than a flat-faced scale.

Mr Blonde · #11

The Ti Chaparral is in my carry rotation, but it's not seen any significant hard use or constant carry (I just love rotating my spydies). So far the finish is hiding any noticeable scratches on the Ti facets. There is a mark under the clip as others have mentioned, but hey that's covered by the clip. I also wouldn't recommend vigourous polishing of these Ti facets. Like tvenuto mentioned, you could risk ruining the facets.

captnvegtble · #12

I agree - no significant scratches that I can see other than where the clip touches the scales. I've been carrying mine in pocket pretty consistently for several weeks, but no hard use yet.

Holland · #13

jackknifeh wrote:Does anyone notice any difference in S30V and XHP and if so what is it? I appreciate any info. I don't use knives hard, even the ones that can handle it. Maybe occasionally but not often. For me, S30V is a great steel for me. I have no problem with it's edge retention. It gets sharp easily. If I were to get another Chaparral I wouldn't want the CF handle with XHP unless there was enough imporvement in the steel to justify it (im my mind). If I decide on the ti model it would be for the handle since the CF will have XHP soon (when?).

I have definitely noticed a difference between xhp and s30v, but it could also have been the angle of the edge on each knife