The serrated Chaparral is pretty cool

[Wartstein]

I have cut myself 4 times with the SE Chap, never with the PE. It’s uncanny

Yeah, Chap SE is the definition of scary sharp ... crazy how and how deeply it wants to bite into stuff. The PE version can't compete indeed.

[OV1kenobi]

There is something interesting about the serration pattern on my Chaparral SE is that the scallops and teeth are very uniform in the middle of the blade whereas the scallops are taller and the teeth slightly pointier at the heel and tip of the blade. No complaints, but they are just “different.”

The two Seki SE knives that I have, a Police 4 LW K390 and a LeafJumper VG-10 (I have an Endura 4 K390 SE on the way) seem to have a very uniform serration pattern the full length of the blade.

Again, no complaints, but just something that I have noticed.

[zhyla]

There is something interesting about the serration pattern on my Chaparral SE is that the scallops and teeth are very uniform in the middle of the blade whereas the scallops are taller and the teeth slightly pointier at the heel and tip of the blade.

That’s just an artifact of holding a curved blade profile against a straight (cylindrical) serration grinding wheel. It’s not as noticeable on the police because it’s a much straighter blade.

[Evil D]

Some measurements to consider, at the top edge of the serration, from heel to tip:

Chaparral SE:
0.026, 0.027, 0.024, 0.024
Blade stock thickness 0.079/2.0mm

ARK SE:
0.026. 0.023, 0.023, 0.018
Blade stock thickness 0.079/2.0mm

Z-Cut SE:
0.019, 0.019, 0.018, 0.018
Blade stock thickness 0.0495/1.26mm

Considering how much thinner the Z-Cut blade stock is, these are pretty respectable numbers for both other knives. The ARK blade grind is thinner above the serrations because it's a very high hollow grind so maybe a bit more slicy than the Chap but you may not notice it in most uses.

It micro bevels on the 30 slots just how I like it, and is probably the "smoothest" SE on the Sharpmaker that I've experienced, with none of the typical bumping you get with deeper pointy serrations.

I really wish all the K390 options were ground like this.


Of course I had to take a lil peeky peek inside. Interesting that if you pull the pocket clip barrel out, it allows the back spacer to rotate on the one other body screw that holds it and that allows the lock spring to push the spacer.



I love how this knife uses an internal stop pin and I kinda wish all the back locks had it. There's also a lot of lock bar engagement. No idea what the second hole is for? Do the other no lightweight models use a stop pin in a different location or something?



Sharpening on the 30 slots



It looks like they buffed the edge on the back side during factory sharpening...



...which I think has something to do with the "rolls" that the edge shows from the back side. I can't feel these with my fingers or fingernails but they do reflect light. Very weird.



I was not prepared for the size though, I actually laughed out loud when I saw that it came in the small Spyderco box. The size is really rather impressive, having just a hair less edge length than a Native 5 but being smaller closed, and then being just barely bigger than a Dragonfly when closed but having quite a bit more edge length. I'm not sure if this qualifies as a "little big knife" but I can see it replacing my Dragonfly, and boy is that saying a LOT.




This might also be my favorite FRN texture design. It feels more grippy to me than the current standard bi-directional texture. I especially like how it has much smaller "flats" around the screw holes and it has a very nice bevel all around the edge that I really wish more FRN molds had, it's weird that this little knife has more handle edge beveling than full size models like the Military 2 and Bodacious.



Overall it's a winner and the serrations definitely pass the test.

[Wartstein]

Some measurements to consider, at the top edge of the serration, from heel to tip:

Chaparral SE:
0.026, 0.027, 0.024, 0.024
Blade stock thickness 0.079/2.0mm

ARK SE:
0.026. 0.023, 0.023, 0.018
Blade stock thickness 0.079/2.0mm

Z-Cut SE:
0.019, 0.019, 0.018, 0.018
Blade stock thickness 0.0495/1.26mm

Considering how much thinner the Z-Cut blade stock is, these are pretty respectable numbers for both other knives. The ARK blade grind is thinner above the serrations because it's a very high hollow grind so maybe a bit more slicy than the Chap but you may not notice it in most uses.

It micro bevels on the 30 slots just how I like it, and is probably the "smoothest" SE on the Sharpmaker that I've experienced, with none of the typical bumping you get with deeper pointy serrations.

I really wish all the K390 options were ground like this.


Of course I had to take a lil peeky peek inside. Interesting that if you pull the pocket clip barrel out, it allows the back spacer to rotate on the one other body screw that holds it and that allows the lock spring to push the spacer.



I love how this knife uses an internal stop pin and I kinda wish all the back locks had it. There's also a lot of lock bar engagement. No idea what the second hole is for? Do the other no lightweight models use a stop pin in a different location or something?



Sharpening on the 30 slots



It looks like they buffed the edge on the back side during factory sharpening...



...which I think has something to do with the "rolls" that the edge shows from the back side. I can't feel these with my fingers or fingernails but they do reflect light. Very weird.



I was not prepared for the size though, I actually laughed out loud when I saw that it came in the small Spyderco box. The size is really rather impressive, having just a hair less edge length than a Native 5 but being smaller closed, and then being just barely bigger than a Dragonfly when closed but having quite a bit more edge length. I'm not sure if this qualifies as a "little big knife" but I can see it replacing my Dragonfly, and boy is that saying a LOT.




This might also be my favorite FRN texture design. It feels more grippy to me than the current standard bi-directional texture. I especially like how it has much smaller "flats" around the screw holes and it has a very nice bevel all around the edge that I really wish more FRN molds had, it's weird that this little knife has more handle edge beveling than full size models like the Military 2 and Bodacious.



Overall it's a winner and the serrations definitely pass the test.

Thanks for sharing your first impressions! [Edit: Well, actually a lot more info than just first impressions..]
Curious how your assessment will be it after some use! I must admit: While I´ve said it quite often that the PE Chap can be used pretty hard and take a lot of abuse, I have to find out yet if this is true for the thin Chap serrations too

- I was sure you´d really like this model overall, but it is still good to read you confirming what many on this thread (including this guy..) said already concerning its particular serrations, given your broad experience with "teeth" and also the broader ability to compare.

- As for Chap vs DFly: The Dfly is relatively seen much lighter (but the Chap ain´t "heavy" either), but the Chap offers a thinner carry (and also a thinner blade, 2.00 vs 2.50 mm) - and as you say: The impressively long cutting edge, when considering the small closed package and the full four finger grip it offers.

- For those perhaps interested I may share my old comparison pic once more:
+ The Chap (when using the choil of course) actually offers more grip area than a Manix on the actual handle.

+ Below a new pic, showing grip area Chap vs grip area Delica..

+ And, why not, Chap blade stock thickness vs the actually also already pretty thin Delica (not a good blade length comparison though, the Chap sits further back so its blade looks shorter)

[Wartstein]

...
This might also be my favorite FRN texture design. It feels more grippy to me than the current standard bi-directional texture. I especially like how it has much smaller "flats" around the screw holes and it has a very nice bevel all around the edge that I really wish more FRN molds had, it's weird that this little knife has more handle edge beveling than full size models like the Military 2 and Bodacious.
...

This might be one of the reasons why to me the Chap feels so good in hand for such a a thin handle.

I am probably in the minority on this , but I actually prefer it over the Native 5 ergos - less blocky, and in my hand and my grip more "locked in"

[vivi]

+ The Chap (when using the choil of course) actually offers more grip area than a Manix on the actual handle.

Why are you counting the choil on the chap but excluding it on the manix?

[Wartstein]

Why are you counting the choil on the chap but excluding it on the manix?

It was not meant as a direct comparison of Chap and Manix.
Rather just as an illustration/visualitazion to show how the Chap really offers a good and true four finger grip for most hand sizes, while being such a tiny package.
It does that by its clever handle design, where the bottom of the handle (where the fingers sit) is made as long and flat as possible (just like on the Sage, and as opposed to small knives who still have a pinky hook (Para 3 for example) or a shortened bottom part of the handle - for me those features can be good on larger folders, but are mostly detrimental on small ones)

The Chap to me is out of the Spydies I know probably the one where a choil makes the most sense.

[Actinolite]

I have plenty of Spydercos. I don’t need another knife. Period.

Wait, how much is a Chaparral?

[Wartstein]

I have plenty of Spydercos. I don’t need another knife. Period.

Wait, how much is a Chaparral?

But honestly - as I always say: With the Chap you don´t get "just another knife", not even "just another Spyderco" anyway, but something really unique even in Spydercos folder lineup in several aspects (to name just two of those: 2mm ffg blade (ok, now there was the even thinner Catcherman sprint) and backlock with internal stop pin).

Also, for whatever reason, the serrated Chap FRN can be found for substantially reduced prices (not so the PE) - at least still here in Europe, not sure about the US (but you guys had those good deals too)

[Wartstein]

Was browsing through old pics anyway (for another thread) and found another old one that can show how "full sized" the Chap is even in my not small hand when utilizing the choil. Really a "mean" hard work "claw" with full purchase and good control for the hand.
("Hard work" as said true for the PE ime, did not really test yet if this is also the case for the superslicey SE version)

And this is exactly where I enjoy my Chap the most: In tasks where a long edge is not needed, it is the most efficient and extremely well performing work knife. Great for pairing it for example with a larger fixed blade, wherever the edge length of the Chap is sufficient, it will outcut that fixed blade with flying colors.

[Evil D]

I have plenty of Spydercos. I don’t need another knife. Period.

Wait, how much is a Chaparral?

I honestly have zero need for this knife, I already have probably 20 other excellent SE options, and I've made it this long without owning a Chaparral because I prefer more full size options but this is one that I was curious about and just wanted to play with, and to me that's as good a reason as any other.

[Wartstein]

I honestly have zero need for this knife, I already have probably 20 other excellent SE options, and I've made it this long without owning a Chaparral because I prefer more full size options but this is one that I was curious about and just wanted to play with, and to me that's as good a reason as any other.

Actually same here (ok, I have less than "20 excellent SE options" )

But you know what?

The Chap SE is such a small and slim, but still very capable option that i can see myself doing what I normally don't do and carry two folders - one of course being the Chap SE, and the other one one of my favorite (and larger) PE Spydies.
Till right now those did not see too much pocket time anymore, cause I normally want to have a serrated Spydie on me.. with the Chap SE (for example in fifth pocket) I can see myself carrying both PE and SE.

[vivi]

Why are you counting the choil on the chap but excluding it on the manix?

It was not meant as a direct comparison of Chap and Manix.
Rather just as an illustration/visualitazion to show how the Chap really offers a good and true four finger grip for most hand sizes, while being such a tiny package.
It does that by its clever handle design, where the bottom of the handle (where the fingers sit) is made as long and flat as possible (just like on the Sage, and as opposed to small knives who still have a pinky hook (Para 3 for example) or a shortened bottom part of the handle - for me those features can be good on larger folders, but are mostly detrimental on small ones)

The Chap to me is out of the Spydies I know probably the one where a choil makes the most sense.

ah ok.

I agree on knives the size of this, the native, dragonfly, caly 3 etc. choils make sense to allow for a full grip. Not as wild about them on large folders as I am smaller designs.

I've never owned a chap but I did handle some of them last time I visited smokey mountain knife works. It's definitely one of spydercos better designs in the size range. I also like how solid the lock up feels with the internal stop pin - a feature I'd like to see on other models. Maybe they can put one on an Endura 5 some day.

[Kango]

Serrated Chappie slices clamshell packaging like butter. The kids opened their Christmas Eve gift and I’ve seriously never experienced a knife more qualified for Christmas morning. This will be doing the work tomorrow.

[Wartstein]

ah ok.

I agree on knives the size of this, the native, dragonfly, caly 3 etc. choils make sense to allow for a full grip. Not as wild about them on large folders as I am smaller designs.

I've never owned a chap but I did handle some of them last time I visited smokey mountain knife works. It's definitely one of spydercos better designs in the size range. I also like how solid the lock up feels with the internal stop pin - a feature I'd like to see on other models. Maybe they can put one on an Endura 5 some day.

- Hand size makes all the difference here.
My hands are not small, but still clearly smaller than yours.
And so for me on Chap and DFly a choil is a great thing, cause without one I could get no four finger grip.
But on the longer Native 5 a choil actually makes the least sense for me, cause with my particular handsize I probably could get four fingers on the actual handle if it had not choil (so no rear guard).
So on a Native 5 a choil is the "worst of both worlds" for me: restricting the grip area on the actual handle, so I have to use the choil, AND eating up cutting edge.

- To me personally the Chap IS the best in its size range. Not only due to the supersolid lockup, but also due to the extremely solid built and thin bladestock and thin carry. As much as I love linerless FRN too, a knife as thin as the Chap probably would not work as well without its steel liners and steel backspacer

- Man, Endura 5 with internal stop pin would be so cool!!

[Wartstein]

Serrated Chappie slices clamshell packaging like butter. The kids opened their Christmas Eve gift and I’ve seriously never experienced a knife more qualified for Christmas morning. This will be doing the work tomorrow.

I can believe that... also carried my Chap SE today on Christmas eve (the "main" event here in Austria /Europe, not the 25th)

[hobbyist]

I have plenty of Spydercos. I don’t need another knife. Period.

Wait, how much is a Chaparral?

I honestly have zero need for this knife, I already have probably 20 other excellent SE options, and I've made it this long without owning a Chaparral because I prefer more full size options but this is one that I was curious about and just wanted to play with, and to me that's as good a reason as any other.

Don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Pocket footprint of a dragonfly, blade length of nearly a delica, unparalleled thinness, and “the good serrations”. This really is a unique combination.

[srivats]

I got myself 2 knives for Christmas. 15V Para3 LW and a SE Chaparral. What amazing knives!

The SE Chaparral is INSANELY good. Spiciest blade in my entire collection. I am just blown away at how good this knife is .. and I already had and liked the PE Chaparral and yet I am just blown away.

[twinboysdad]

I think the main thing is doesn’t cut chunky like most SE folders even from Spyderco. EKI and others cut angled and thick like a jagged door stop. This blade cuts like a very, very sharp PE