Chaparral Preview

The Deacon · #81

ccpmedic wrote:Anyone have pics comparing Chaparral to the Leaf Storm?
Thanks, Roy

Given that I think the one I have is currently the only Chaparral "in the wild", and I don't own a Leafstorm, below is the best I could do. Spyderco stock photo of the Leafstorm and a shot I took of the Chaparral, each resized to its actual sizes (6 1/16" OAL for the Leafstorm, 6 7/16" OAL for the Chaparral) then put together. If it's off, it's only off by a hair.

phillipsted · #82

Thanks for the Photoshop work, Deacon. That shot of the Leafstorm reminded me why I didn't order one of those to begin with. The back edge of that blade just looks like it is waiting to slice into my index finger. OUCH! :eek:

(Sorry to get off topic - I know we've talked about this before - but that picture almost made me wince...)

TedP

dj moonbat · #83

phillipsted wrote:Thanks for the Photoshop work, Deacon. That shot of the Leafstorm reminded me why I didn't order one of those to begin with. The back edge of that blade just looks like it is waiting to slice into my index finger. OUCH! :eek:

It's not at all clear how one is supposed to grasp the Leafstorm. Three fingers, in between the two horns? Only two?

The Chaparral, on the other hand, almost looks like it was formed by a grasping hand in the first place.

Pinetreebbs · #84

The Deacon wrote:Given that I think the one I have is currently the only Chaparral "in the wild", and I don't own a Leafstorm, below is the best I could do. Spyderco stock photo of the Leafstorm and a shot I took of the Chaparral, each resized to its actual sizes (6 1/16" OAL for the Leafstorm, 6 7/16" OAL for the Chaparral) then put together. If it's off, it's only off by a hair.

Paul,

You have sold another Spyderco! I have a Leafestorm, I like the size. The Chaparral grip looks much improved and safer for my index finger. To top it off, you can never go wrong with CF scales. Thanks!

dbcad · #85

I assume this will be a production model, I will have to keep my eyes on it. Looks very appealing. I like the 2 mm thick blade :)

ccpmedic · #86

Thanks for the Pics Deacon. I think I see a Chaparral in my future.

kawr · #87

There arent many Spyderco designs that are aestheticaly pleasing to me at first glance but the Chaparral is one of them. I want it bad :D . Thanks to Sal and Deacon for doing this. Great preview and great knife!

HistoricalMan · #88

I want this knife.

The Deacon · #89

Someone on BladeForums asked for a couple shots of it with a Delica, figured I'd post them here too...

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The Mentaculous · #90

I'm getting 2 knives that are similar to the Chaparral this week--Kopa Pearl ( :D :D :D :D) and Urban (wharncliffe).

That should hold me over till April/May or whenever it comes out.

#91

Hi Deacon,

Thanx much for the review and great pics.

You can show the others if you want. We only made a few of them (under 20).

sal

Lungbarrow · #92

sal wrote:Hi Deacon,

Thanx much for the review and great pics.

You can show the others if you want. We only made a few of them (under 20).

sal

Curiosity: piqued. :eek:

defenestrate · #93

Paul,
Thanks for the pics. Like you, I love midlocks and 50/50 choils. The trapezoidal look of the lock release against the cutouts is both different and really cool IMO. Taking all into account, I think this will be my gent's knife to be. looks nice and a little bit more blade than I'd envisioned which is nice. very cool!

The Deacon · #94

sal wrote:Hi Deacon,

Thanx much for the review and great pics.

You can show the others if you want. We only made a few of them (under 20).

sal

My pleasure Sal. The Chaparral really has me impressed. It's one of those knives that feels "just right" in my hand, and the thin blade performs every bit as well as I hoped it would. Build quality is impressive too. My thinking is that, where fit and finish are concerned, slip joints and back locks are the ultimate tests of a maker's talent, that open frames and even solid, but non-moving back straps are much easier.

Am relieved to hear it was ok to post pictures of the others, since I couldn't contain my self and had already done so. :o

Sincere thanks for all three. :)

Lungbarrow wrote:Curiosity: piqued. :eek:

Pair of left handed Calypso Jrs. You can check them out here.

defenestrate wrote:Paul,
Thanks for the pics. Like you, I love midlocks and 50/50 choils. The trapezoidal look of the lock release against the cutouts is both different and really cool IMO. Taking all into account, I think this will be my gent's knife to be. looks nice and a little bit more blade than I'd envisioned which is nice. very cool!

Must admit that, for me, the looks of the lock well took a bit of getting use to. Probably one of those "old and set in my ways" things. :o But the look of it has grown on me, probably because it works great. :)

TBob · #95

Paul,

That last comparison set with the Delica did it for me. I preordered a Chaparral. Naughty you!

For those w/questions about the Leaf Storm: I carry one at work daily. I find that three fingers fit perfectly on the knife's handle cutout with my pinky on the bump at the end of the handle. My thumb fall naturally on the jimping on the top of the blade. I was skeptical at first, but the Leaf Storm fits my medium-sized hand quite well. And the G10 scale is very difficult to accurately photograph for color.

arty · #96

I'd be curious to see a comparison of this knife with the Walker liner lock - the latest one in carbon fiber. It looks like a similar handle size, but with a longer blade.
Very nice looking knife.

The Deacon · #97

arty wrote:I'd be curious to see a comparison of this knife with the Walker liner lock - the latest one in carbon fiber. It looks like a similar handle size, but with a longer blade.
Very nice looking knife.

Don't have the CF Sprint Arty, just the old CF, which is a bit smaller and the FRN Lightweight. However AFAIK, the physical dimensions of the Lightweight are identical to those of both the Almite and CF Sprints, so these may be of some help to you.

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and, mostly for my own amusement, :p a shot of the Chaparral with a Kiwi...

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arty · #98

Thanks for posting these photos. The new knife looks like it is just a shade larger in width than the Walker, but the same length closed. The blade is a little longer.
It is a "must-have knife."

Knifewing · #99

I have a Cat (one of the "good" ones) and love it. But the Chapparal looks even better (well, 3/8" better). I can't wait. And here's another vote for the clip to be dress black!

#100

We've changed the clip to black for the production piece.

Thanx much for the input.

sal