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Chaparral

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 4:43 pm
by RamZar
Last year I completed my Chaparral collection (all except the Blue Stepped Titanium - I tried several but just didn't like the annodization on any of them) and I'm hoping there are more new models on the way highlighting other handle materials. Also, perhaps an upgrade from XHP to a stainless steel like S45VN, SPY27, 20CV, MagnaCut, etc.

Current & Discontinued Chaparral Models:

  1. Chaparral 1 CPM-S30V CF/G-10 Laminate
  2. Chaparral 1 CTS-XHP CF/G-10 Laminate
  3. Chaparral 2 CTS-XHP Titanium
  4. Chaparral 3 CTS-XHP Stepped Titanium
  5. Chaparral 4 CTS-XHP Blue Stepped Titanium
  6. Chaparral 5 CTS-XHP Raffir Noble Composite Scales
  7. Chaparral 6 CTS-XHP Gray FRN
  8. Chaparral Sun & Moon CTS-XHP White G-10 (Red G-10 Inlay) & Black G-10 (Mother-of-Pearl Inlay)
  9. Chaparral CTS-XHP Birdseye Maple

Proposed Models:

  1. All Stainless Steel (perhaps engraved)
  2. Simple Textured G-10
  3. True Marbled CF
  4. Micarta
  5. FRN in new colors


Larrin's Corrosion Resistance Test (New Steel is MagnaCut)
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Re: Chaparral

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 5:04 pm
by p_atrick
I know the last one was wood, but there are so many types of interesting wood. Curly maple, snake wood, anything spalted, etc. Working with organic materials presents its own set of challenges though.

TeroTuff and Ultem seem to be popular.

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 5:29 pm
by Sharp24/7
For stainless I’d vote Magnacut. Between its toughness and potential hardness it seems perfect for a thin Chap blade. I’d like to see that in FRN. I’d also like a crazy high edge retention steel like K390 in a green canvas Micarta. Also, I have the Sun and Moon and I love it, just gorgeous.

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 7:23 pm
by RamZar
I’ve heard of issues with Raffir Noble and Sun & Moon having to do with scratches showing. Also, the Birdseye Maple Wood model (last one released in January 2021) having water damage. For carrying without worries, you can’t beat the CF/G-10 Laminate or FRN models.

Another desirable CF material would be one of the Fat Carbon Fiber ones but something less wild and colorful (SMKW PM2 Exclusives). I kind of like their “Dark Matter Gold” (see below).

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The Marbled CF on the Fradon Lock Exclusive was also very nice.

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Re: Chaparral

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 8:42 pm
by Bolster
RamZar wrote:
Tue Oct 18, 2022 4:43 pm
Last year I completed my Chaparral collection...

You tease...and no photo?

Regards a stainless steel...have you been having issues with corrosion on your Chaps?

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 8:56 pm
by Mushroom
I’d like to see main Chaparral series remain CTS-XHP and reserve any steel changes for the lightweight FRN model only.

As for a new handle material I’d like to see, I think “Fordite” would make for an awesome version of the Chaparral.

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 11:13 pm
by Cl1ff
Congrats on completing your collection!
I like all of your proposals.

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 11:32 pm
by sn0wman72
I think we need a photo of the complete collection

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 12:32 am
by Doc Dan
Kirinite! They even have green and pink GITD. Here is a completely random sampling.

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Black and Red Lava!
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Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 12:47 am
by RamZar
Here are my 8 different Chaparral folders including two versions of the CF/G-10 Laminate with S30V & XHP steels. The only one I don’t have nor want is the Blue Anodized Stepped Titanium one. This is a photo of the boxes / pouch. I’ll take a picture of the knives during daytime this weekend.

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Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 3:16 am
by RamZar
As for a Textured G-10 handle the Forest Green Diamond Arc pattern which Spyderco used on ParaMilitary2 & Para3 Sprint Runs with CPM-S45VN in April 2020 & July 2020 respectively is an excellent choice.

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Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 5:23 am
by PStone
Dichrolam.
https://www.dichrolam.com/index.html
That could make for a very pretty Chap. Case just released a run of covers in the BlackSea pattern. It’s supposed to mimic opal yet be super shiny and scratch resistant. But they also offer other patterns too.

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 6:58 am
by Dazen
RamZar wrote:
Tue Oct 18, 2022 7:23 pm
I’ve heard of issues with Raffir Noble and Sun & Moon having to do with scratches showing. Also, the Birdseye Maple Wood model (last one released in January 2021) having water damage. For carrying without worries, you can’t beat the CF/G-10 Laminate or FRN models.

Another desirable CF material would be one of the Fat Carbon Fiber ones but something less wild and colorful (SMKW PM2 Exclusives). I kind of like their “Dark Matter Gold” (see below).

Image

The Marbled CF on the Fradon Lock Exclusive was also very nice.

Image

I would love to see a real CF Chaparral, and marbled and dark matter look great!

I would also love to see Side/Cross Cut CF in the Chaparral.

Image

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:00 am
by JRinFL
PStone wrote:
Wed Oct 19, 2022 5:23 am
Dichrolam.
https://www.dichrolam.com/index.html
That could make for a very pretty Chap. Case just released a run of covers in the BlackSea pattern. It’s supposed to mimic opal yet be super shiny and scratch resistant. But they also offer other patterns too.
This x 100!

I have two Case knives in Dichrolam Dead Sea and it looks fantastic.

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:04 am
by Manixguy@1994
I like the idea of a new Chap and a new steel even in the FRN model . Micarta or G10 would definitely interest me , but other offerings scratch resistant would be nice especially in a CF . MG2

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:46 am
by p_atrick
Not sure if I should make another thread, but I'm curious about the construction of the Chaparral blade. It has a stop pin in the blade that connects with the internal blade stops. Does anybody know anything about the steel used for the stop pin? I assume it isn't XHP (seems like that would be an added cost), but it does have to stand up to repeated contact with the liners. Is it the same material as the back lock? Is it heat treated? The mechanism seems simple enough, but I'm sure it is more complex that I assume.

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 8:13 am
by cjk
RamZar wrote:
Wed Oct 19, 2022 3:16 am
As for a Textured G-10 handle the Forest Green Diamond Arc pattern which Spyderco used on ParaMilitary2 & Para3 Sprint Runs with CPM-S45VN in April 2020 & July 2020 respectively is an excellent choice.

Image
I would agree that the scales on those are just fantastic.

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 8:15 am
by cjk
p_atrick wrote:
Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:46 am
Not sure if I should make another thread, but I'm curious about the construction of the Chaparral blade. It has a stop pin in the blade that connects with the internal blade stops. Does anybody know anything about the steel used for the stop pin? I assume it isn't XHP (seems like that would be an added cost), but it does have to stand up to repeated contact with the liners. Is it the same material as the back lock? Is it heat treated? The mechanism seems simple enough, but I'm sure it is more complex that I assume.
I expect that the answers to your questions would be considered privileged information / Spyderco intellectual property/ something like that, so I wouldn't expect to get many of them answered.

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 11:54 am
by Superflex

Re: Chaparral

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 12:35 pm
by RamZar
Dazen wrote:
Wed Oct 19, 2022 6:58 am
I would also love to see Side/Cross Cut CF in the Chaparral.

Image

That looks nice. I wonder if it has some texture to it, that is, not smooth in which case you can have your cake and eat it too.