Chaparral Preview

The Deacon · #161

roninair wrote:Wow!... everyone here is eager to pitch in and help ,Thanks

Will just add that, at least according to the specs, compared to the Cat the Chaparral packs 3/8" more blade into a 1/16" longer handle.

jim.7707 · #162

I've been looking for something slot between by Dragonflies and Sage1. This looks like just what I've been looking for. Any updates on when we can expect to see them?

The Deacon · #163

jim.7707 wrote:I've been looking for something slot between by Dragonflies and Sage1. This looks like just what I've been looking for. Any updates on when we can expect to see them?

KnifeCenter shows an ETA of September. I have no idea whether that's just a SWAG on their part, an educated guess based on information from Spyderco, or what.

black · #164

Somebody from Howe's said they are expecting it in july.

jim.7707 · #165

Well, July is almost upon us so let's hope that estimate is correct.

dschur · #166

I am really looking forward to the Chaparral. Any ideas if it will be necessary to pre-order, or if production will be high enough to meet demand? I understand it will be a regular production model (ala Sage 1).

WalzAaronFFG · #167

Gotta say, this one really hits it out of the park in terms of blade length and thickness. I like smaller blades. Unlike many people, I don't generally carry a knife for defensive purposes. Of course it is useful for many tasks, but I put the utility tasks ahead of the defensive ones.

I live in WI and from what I understand anything 3" and up is a No No. The law is ambiguous, but I'd rather abide by the law and keep my knife than have it confiscated. We may have a concealed weapon law pass here from what it looks like, so my Para2 and Manix2 might finally get used outside of camping/fondling tasks.

For now Dragonfly G-10(if CS ever gets them back in stock)/Delica4/Caly3CF/ and Chaparral will be my carry rotation. If the CC law passes and I can have a larger knife legally my list will grow exponentially.

PS @ Sal, I'd love to see polished G-10 like on the Vallotton on one of the iterations of the Chaparral :D

The Deacon · #168

Have to tell you that, as impressed as I was when I first held the Chaparral, I've become much more impressed over the last two months.

When I first started packing for my move from NY to SC I grabbed it, simply because handy. Decided to give it a good field test, so I made it my "official" packing knife. It cut a bunch of cardboard for fillers, dividers, and protective padding at the New York end, including some heavy stuff I got from a local bike shop and used to wrap my curio cabinets to protect the glass. It also cut lots of bubble wrap and some stretch wrap, builders paper, and tape there as well. At this end, it has opened about half the boxes so far and cut up the ones that got beat up too badly for anyone to reuse as well as cutting up the sheets of heavy cardboard that protected my curio cabinets so they'd fit in the recycle bin. It also was in my pocket at the closing, since there's a 3" blade limit within Greenville's city limits. It won't shave hair anymore, or slice low grade newsprint cleanly, but it will still slice typing paper cleanly. It will get a much deserved touch up as soon as I get to the box with my sharpeners in it. It also still locks up as tight as the proverbial duck's poop chute, zero blade play in either plane.

Sal, thanks once again for the Chaparral. It's a total winner in terms of looks, ergonomics, and performance.

araneae · #169

Thanks for the continued reviews Paul. This has to be one of the most promising models in a while.

#170

Hi Jim, Dschur,

Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

WalzAaron,

The Chaparral is planned to be regular production. Each model will have the same pattern and lock, but the handle material will change.

Like the Sage line, We'll keep making each variation for as long as our customers want them. Polished G-10 is certainly a possibility. We have two titanium variations planned and one with bolsters and exotic handle material.

We believe it is a very practical size and shape for urban carry. It is ambi, has smooth action, good ergos, good steel, functional ambi clip and a safe lock. Different handle variations offer our customers options.

Hey Deacon,

Thanx much for all of the kind words and for the help in our early info.

My schedule also says July, but until they pass QC, they're not going anywhere.

sal

araneae · #171

Hey Sal- July sounds great. This may be the first knife I spoil myself with after a drought of higher end Spydies. Have you looked at the paperstone that Buck is using? I think its similar to Micarta, but has a more "grippy" feel to it. I picked up a Vantage and like the feel of it.

dj moonbat · #172

sal wrote: My schedule also says July, but until they pass QC, they're not going anywhere.

sal

I'd be happy to test out some for you.

ChrisR · #173

Can't wait to get my hands on one of these - but looks like I'll have to :D The CF looks great ... not a big fan of Ti but what went onto the Mili looked very snazzy ... but I'd love to see a really different handle material - some nice wood or something a bit off-the-wall, rather than the usual things. :)

jim.7707 · #174

Thanks for the update Sal. I'll be ready with money in hand when it is released.

Is the CF going to be the same type that is used on the Sage 1? I really like the look and feel of that CF. Textured enough not to be slippery but still fairly smooth to the touch.

The Deacon · #175

jim.7707 wrote:Thanks for the update Sal. I'll be ready with money in hand when it is released.

Is the CF going to be the same type that is used on the Sage 1? I really like the look and feel of that CF. Textured enough not to be slippery but still fairly smooth to the touch.

The CF on the one I have is textured like the Sage's, so I'm assuming the CF on the production version will be the same.

jim.7707 · #176

Thanks Paul.

#177

araneae wrote: Have you looked at the paperstone that Buck is using? I think its similar to Micarta, but has a more "grippy" feel to it. I picked up a Vantage and like the feel of it.

Hi Araneae,

I just got to handle one for a short while. I think it's great that Buck is experimenting with new odd materials. I understand it comes from recycled material and has permitted them to make a low cost piece. Good job.

Other than that, I don't know much about it.

sal

The Mentaculous · #178

Great to hear an update on the Chaparral. Bolstered version? Me likey!

Good to hear it's still targeted for July...if it comes out by the end of the month, I'll be happy for sure! I can't wait to finally have it in my hand...I'm No. 1 on the pre-order list at my dealer :D

N. Brian Huegel · #179

http://www.paperstoneproducts.com/

Also used by Lamson & Goodnow!

http://www.lamsonsharp.com/store/c/3446-Earth.html

gull wing · #180

Paperstone, I like the product, very strong and light. The Buck paperstone knife however is not well in the fit department. Pins sticking up to snag your clothes and fingers(cut my finger actually).
I'm sure fit and finish would not be a problem with a Spyderco.