Sal, may I ask: When will the Chap FRN be available again?

[elena86]

We're moving the clip screw location a tad to ensure a more secure clip mounting. Not a big deal, but when we see something that we think can be a bit better, we generally make the change.

sal

Awesome news because there were indeed some issues with the wire pocket clip ... can't wait to get an improved back-up ... LW Chapie is a superb city user, it's a strong contender for my beloved K390 Urban.

[Enactive]

Sal, if you would indulge us...

I am guessing FRN molds are metal? When they are modified, is metal welded, soldered, brazed , or otherwise flowed in and then machined (CNC) and maybe heat treated somewhere in there? Is it anything like that or am I wildly off?

Are you free to elaborate at all? If not, completely understood.

[Wartstein]

Awesome news because there were indeed some issues with the wire pocket clip ... can't wait to get an improved back-up ... LW Chapie is a superb city user, it's a strong contender for my beloved K390 Urban.

I never had such issues, but to be honest I carry my Chap loosely in a zippered pocket quite often, so the clip did not see THAT much use...

/ City user: Yes, that it is ALSO: But try that little thing in some smaller bushcraft- and woodwork-tasks... works great!

[Wartstein]

Sal, if you would indulge us...

I am guessing FRN molds are metal? When they are modified, is metal welded, soldered, brazed , or otherwise flowed in and then machined (CNC) and maybe heat treated somewhere in there? Is it anything like that or am I wildly off?

Are you free to elaborate at all? If not, completely understood.

Interesting question!!

[steelcity16]

Sal, if you would indulge us...

I am guessing FRN molds are metal? When they are modified, is metal welded, soldered, brazed , or otherwise flowed in and then machined (CNC) and maybe heat treated somewhere in there? Is it anything like that or am I wildly off?

Are you free to elaborate at all? If not, completely understood.

I was wondering the same thing and had the same guess as you on how they do it!

[steelcity16]

We're moving the clip screw location a tad to ensure a more secure clip mounting. Not a big deal, but when we see something that we think can be a bit better, we generally make the change.

sal

Great to know! Thanks for keeping us informed Sal. I had seen a few complaints about the clips loosening and that was my guess as well, so it is good to hear that is going to be improved upon. My clip hasn't given me problems yet though. Maybe I will red loctite it down to be safe.

[Mushroom]

Sal, if you would indulge us...

I am guessing FRN molds are metal? When they are modified, is metal welded, soldered, brazed , or otherwise flowed in and then machined (CNC) and maybe heat treated somewhere in there? Is it anything like that or am I wildly off?

Are you free to elaborate at all? If not, completely understood.

The molds are machined but I doubt the original molds are physically modified. It is most likely a CAD file being modified and then the molds are completely remade with the changes that were made to that CAD file.

[Enactive]

Sal, if you would indulge us...

I am guessing FRN molds are metal? When they are modified, is metal welded, soldered, brazed , or otherwise flowed in and then machined (CNC) and maybe heat treated somewhere in there? Is it anything like that or am I wildly off?

Are you free to elaborate at all? If not, completely understood.

The molds are machined but I doubt the original molds are physically modified. It is most likely a CAD file being modified and then the molds are completely remade with the changes that were made to that CAD file.

I thought that initially too, a couple of longtime for forumites have stated otherwise. Maybe we hear from Sal on the matter?

[zippifish]

Been 50/50 on whether to go with the FRN or CF, the CF Chaparral is out of stock as well and from an email I sent Spyderco earlier this week and the reply I received they're not sure when it will be back in stock either. Hope they're back in stock before the Sage 5 LW is released or I might just buy that instead but would rather have something that fits size wise between the DF and Para 3.

[Wartstein]

Been 50/50 on whether to go with the FRN or CF, the CF Chaparral is out of stock as well and from an email I sent Spyderco earlier this week and the reply I received they're not sure when it will be back in stock either. Hope they're back in stock before the Sage 5 LW is released or I might just buy that instead but would rather have something that fits size wise between the DF and Para 3.

Welcome to the forum! :)

/ I´d recommend the Chap FRN over the CF, unless you happen to really like CF of course. The FRN is less expensive, more practical and solid imho and looks really classy for being FRN (of course the CF will do even more so if you want that "gents folder look", which I do not need at all).

Concerning the Sage 5 LW: Though in my opinion probably the best small compression lock - folder (I prefer backlocks though), it is a pretty different knife than the Chap, other than it´s somewhat similar shape imho. If you´re interested in my reasoning for that, I may point to THIS thread, sixth post...
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=84142

So: Though I personally clearly prefer the Chap, the Sage 5 FRN is not "worse" of course, just very different (Imho a Para 3 LW is MUCH closer to a Sage LW than a Chap FRN is. As already stated in a previous comment, the Chap is somehow the only knife in it´s class in Spydercos lineup, while Sage and Para 3 are more different options inside the same class in my opinion)

[Mushroom]

Sal, if you would indulge us...

I am guessing FRN molds are metal? When they are modified, is metal welded, soldered, brazed , or otherwise flowed in and then machined (CNC) and maybe heat treated somewhere in there? Is it anything like that or am I wildly off?

Are you free to elaborate at all? If not, completely understood.

The molds are machined but I doubt the original molds are physically modified. It is most likely a CAD file being modified and then the molds are completely remade with the changes that were made to that CAD file.

I thought that initially too, a couple of longtime for forumites have stated otherwise. Maybe we hear from Sal on the matter?

In that case, you're right, it would be nice to hear from Sal! Injection molding is a complicated process, and I'd love to learn more!

I'd be interested to know the size of the mold as well, how many parts are they producing per mold? Also, depending on the size of the mold it may just be one section of the mold that needs to be remade opposed to the whole thing. How cost effective is it to weld onto a current mold and re-machine vs. completely re-machining from new?

[Wartstein]

Sal, if you would indulge us...

I am guessing FRN molds are metal? When they are modified, is metal welded, soldered, brazed , or otherwise flowed in and then machined (CNC) and maybe heat treated somewhere in there? Is it anything like that or am I wildly off?

Are you free to elaborate at all? If not, completely understood.

The molds are machined but I doubt the original molds are physically modified. It is most likely a CAD file being modified and then the molds are completely remade with the changes that were made to that CAD file.

I thought that initially too, a couple of longtime for forumites have stated otherwise. Maybe we hear from Sal on the matter?

In that case, you're right, it would be nice to hear from Sal! Injection molding is a complicated process, and I'd love to learn more!

I'd be interested to know the size of the mold as well, how many parts are they producing per mold? Also, depending on the size of the mold it may just be one section of the mold that needs to be remade opposed to the whole thing. How cost effective is it to weld onto a current mold and re-machine vs. completely re-machining from new?

(New Avatar?! Cool!! :) )

Maybe someone would like to start a dedicated thread concerning the "mold"- question? I won´t do it right now, it´s past midnight where I live, have to go to bed...

[Cscottsss]

I almost bought a Chap off the secondary market today and ultimately passed after seeing Sals reply. Great news as the wire clip is my favorite that comes out of the factory. The attention to detail and always striving to improve is just one of the reasons why Spyderco is my favorite knife manufacturer. I can't wait to grab a CQI model!

[zippifish]

Been 50/50 on whether to go with the FRN or CF, the CF Chaparral is out of stock as well and from an email I sent Spyderco earlier this week and the reply I received they're not sure when it will be back in stock either. Hope they're back in stock before the Sage 5 LW is released or I might just buy that instead but would rather have something that fits size wise between the DF and Para 3.

Welcome to the forum! :)

/ I´d recommend the Chap FRN over the CF, unless you happen to really like CF of course. The FRN is less expensive, more practical and solid imho and looks really classy for being FRN (of course the CF will do even more so if you want that "gents folder look", which I do not need at all).

Concerning the Sage 5 LW: Though in my opinion probably the best small compression lock - folder (I prefer backlocks though), it is a pretty different knife than the Chap, other than it´s somewhat similar shape imho. If you´re interested in my reasoning for that, I may point to THIS thread, sixth post...
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=84142

So: Though I personally clearly prefer the Chap, the Sage 5 FRN is not "worse" of course, just very different (Imho a Para 3 LW is MUCH closer to a Sage LW than a Chap FRN is. As already stated in a previous comment, the Chap is somehow the only knife in it´s class in Spydercos lineup, while Sage and Para 3 are more different options inside the same class in my opinion)

Thanks for the welcome and your thoughts on Chaparral and Sage 5 LW.

Off topic but I see you reside in Salzburg, my Great Grandmother and Grandfather were from Salzburg and came to the states just before WWII, visited Salzburg last July, beautiful city, beautiful area, also enjoyed a few evenings at the Augustiner Braustubl :)

[Marulaghost]

Been 50/50 on whether to go with the FRN or CF, the CF Chaparral is out of stock as well and from an email I sent Spyderco earlier this week and the reply I received they're not sure when it will be back in stock either. Hope they're back in stock before the Sage 5 LW is released or I might just buy that instead but would rather have something that fits size wise between the DF and Para 3.

Welcome to the forum! :)

/ I´d recommend the Chap FRN over the CF, unless you happen to really like CF of course. The FRN is less expensive, more practical and solid imho and looks really classy for being FRN (of course the CF will do even more so if you want that "gents folder look", which I do not need at all).

Concerning the Sage 5 LW: Though in my opinion probably the best small compression lock - folder (I prefer backlocks though), it is a pretty different knife than the Chap, other than it´s somewhat similar shape imho. If you´re interested in my reasoning for that, I may point to THIS thread, sixth post...
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=84142

So: Though I personally clearly prefer the Chap, the Sage 5 FRN is not "worse" of course, just very different (Imho a Para 3 LW is MUCH closer to a Sage LW than a Chap FRN is. As already stated in a previous comment, the Chap is somehow the only knife in it´s class in Spydercos lineup, while Sage and Para 3 are more different options inside the same class in my opinion)

Thanks for the welcome and your thoughts on Chaparral and Sage 5 LW.

Off topic but I see you reside in Salzburg, my Great Grandmother and Grandfather were from Salzburg and came to the states just before WWII, visited Salzburg last July, beautiful city, beautiful area, also enjoyed a few evenings at the Augustiner Braustubl :)

How many people with Austrian lineage can there be on this forum!? My family lives in the Salzburg province. I'm actually planning on going there sometime this year to see them.

Back on topic i highly recommend the Chap LW. Great little knife. Exceptional performance. Very comfortable in hand. While i prefer smaller knives for my work it's the one i carry when I'm off the clock.

[Wartstein]

Thanks for the welcome and your thoughts on Chaparral and Sage 5 LW.

Off topic but I see you reside in Salzburg, my Great Grandmother and Grandfather were from Salzburg and came to the states just before WWII, visited Salzburg last July, beautiful city, beautiful area, also enjoyed a few evenings at the Augustiner Braustubl :)

How many people with Austrian lineage can there be on this forum!? My family lives in the Salzburg province. I'm actually planning on going there sometime this year to see them.

Back on topic i highly recommend the Chap LW. Great little knife. Exceptional performance. Very comfortable in hand. While i prefer smaller knives for my work it's the one i carry when I'm off the clock.

@ Marulaghost, I just remembered that I wanted to reply to your post above, but then forgot: So, better later than never:

If you really come to Salzburg, be sure to shoot me a message if you like, maybe we could meet up, and our Chap LWs too... (or any Spyderco that is, for one of the great things in Austria is, you can carry whatever knife you want basically). (I guess if we further chat about this topic and not knives, then better per p.m.)

@Zippifish: Great that you have Salzburg hertitage, though it really is a shame how many people had to flee from Austria and Germany in the late 30ies and early 40 ies of the 20th century ( assuming your Great Grandmother and Grandfather had to too).
/ Yep, Augustiner Braustuebl is a great place to be in summertime... freshly tapped cold beer in stone jugs while sitting under that old, shading trees..:)
/ Did you decide between the Chap FRN and CF meanwhile?

[zippifish]

@Zippifish: Great that you have Salzburg hertitage, though it really is a shame how many people had to flee from Austria and Germany in the late 30ies and early 40 ies of the 20th century ( assuming your Great Grandmother and Grandfather had to too).
/ Yep, Augustiner Braustuebl is a great place to be in summertime... freshly tapped cold beer in stone jugs while sitting under that old, shading trees..:)
/ Did you decide between the Chap FRN and CF meanwhile?

Going to buy the Chap FRN whenever they become available again.

[Wartstein]

@Zippifish: Great that you have Salzburg hertitage, though it really is a shame how many people had to flee from Austria and Germany in the late 30ies and early 40 ies of the 20th century ( assuming your Great Grandmother and Grandfather had to too).
/ Yep, Augustiner Braustuebl is a great place to be in summertime... freshly tapped cold beer in stone jugs while sitting under that old, shading trees..:)
/ Did you decide between the Chap FRN and CF meanwhile?

Going to buy the Chap FRN whenever they become available again.

Great choice... and be quick then, I have a feeling that quite a few are waiting for the cqi-ed Chap FRN... :rolleyes:

[Halfneck]

Radiologist at work picked one up a few weeks ago and has been taunting me. Looking forward to a new & improved Chaparral LW.

[SG89]

Available at knifecenter and bladehq right now