Any reviews of Spyderco Wegner or Chinook?

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Mar 22, 2001
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Just wondering if anyone had done a review of either of these knives.

I am trying to decide which of these to buy, primarily as a hunting knife for big game. I'm leaning towards the Wegner.

Jeff/1911.
 
Hi Jeff,

I have a Chinook which I am very fond of and used as a carry knife for about six months. For some reason it lost the hex nut that secures the action, it vibrated out. Spyderco was very apologetic and I have sent the knife back to replace it.

I like the Chinook as a utility knife as the recurve of the blade gives you a 'belly' to slice with on the straight part of the blade, if you have a partially serrated version. I also think that it would be a great skinning knife, because of the thin, but well constructed tip. I've used the tip to slice a number of things where I wouldn't with another knife with no fear of breaking it off. The chinook is overall a very very solid and heavy knife, I'd recommend it for hard use.

I think my experience with the hex nut was an anomoly.

Best wishes,

Edgedance (todd)
 
As a hunting knife, I'd go with the Wegner. It has a sturdy tip for penetrating joints, etc. and has plenty of belly for skinning.

The only problem with using it for a hunting knife is that you can't take it apart for cleaning. I really just spray mine out with water and oil it up afterwards. It is a great folder for hunting - probably the best IMO.
 
Wegner all the way. Check Tim Wegners web-site and read the reviews there. Also do a search here using "Wegner" as the key word. You'll have a bunch of reading! All good too.
 
Honestly, they're both excellent choices. If using a liner lock is a concern, you can't go wrong with the Chinook. (In fact, I think it was TK that showed a picture of a gentleman skinning out a deer with a Chinook.)

I've been carrying a Wenger daily for a while now and found it to be an excellent user, pointy and sharp where it needs to be, opening with a solid click.

Buy both. :)
 
Thank you very much fellows. I appreciate your feeback, and the depth of your response.

I think I'd better get a Wegner first. Then, soon after a Chinook. I really like the looks of the Chinook and think the Wegner might be a little more practical for my purposes.

Cheers, Jeff/1911.
 
GC,

Do you know the address for Tim Wegners website? I am having trouble finding it.

Thanks, Jeff/1911.
 
Hey Jeff..

http://www.blade-tech.com

Both the Wegner and the Chinook are Very well built knives.. They both feel great in the hand and have enough weight,without being too heavy..

I'll support Tom on this and say they are both some of the finest folders available...

ttyle

Eric...
 
Eric,

I enjoyed perusing blade-tech's site. Thanks for the referral.

I really want to get a Mouse now!

Jeff/1911.
 
Sorry for the delay. Things have been a little crazy.

The Wegner is my favorite production folder. I keep coming back to it for EDC. I have carried it with me as my primary duty knife (LEO). It is one of those once in a lifetime designs that does so many things well. It may have been designed for hunting, it excels in that assignment, but it also does so many other things very well. It is a utility knife, a defensive tool, and I consider it a close friend. The Wegner is the standard by which I judge other knives. Not many can compare. Other production knives I hold in high esteem are the Benchmade 710 and the Al Mar SERE 2000. Many people tell me that the Wegner is ugly. Most change their mind upon holding and especially upon using it. Form follows function with the Wegner. I wholeheartedly endorse it. It is one of the few folders that I really trust. I feel safer going into the unknown when I have my Wegner by my side.
 
Hey Jeff..

No problem..Glad to help...

If ya need anything,,drop me a note...

ttyle

Eric...
 
I own a Chinook but not a Wegner. It is solid and heavy with a thick tough blade but if you are going to use a folder for cleaning game go with a Wegner. The Chinook is primarily designed as a fighting knife(wide Bowie-style blade, steel "skull-crusher" pommel, etc.), even though it is very handy, its other uses are secondary. The Wegner on the other hand is designed specifically for the purpose you intend to use it for and it's bound to be lighter. You can't go wrong with either knife though. Just my $00.02, happy hunting.
 
I have had both. I sold my Wegner and kept the Chinook. I just don't need or want two hefty black G-10-handled folders.

But comparing the two is comparing apples and oranges. They are just that different.


Two things about the Wegner I do not like. First, the G-10 is sanded, which gives it a smooth feel. Some may like it this way, but I do not. Besides making the grip a bit more slippery, it also looks permanently dusty and sort of an ugly charcoal gray. The Chinook has the fine-textured G-10 like the Military has. I just prefer it that way.

Second, the Wegner has a relatively small Spydiehole. Once again, I prefer the larger diameter holes. I did not think it was a big issue on the Wegner, but once you get used to the 14mm diameter hole on the Military, Chinook and Snap-It, it is hard to go back to the smaller diameter.
 
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