Big Folder Frenzy or Chinook vs......

S

Smoke

Gold Member
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Oct 14, 1998
Messages
2,552
Okay folks, do you think the Chinook will outperform the beloved Military and the silently much desired large Wegner when it comes to heavy duty chores?
 
The Chinook is no doubt a heavy duty folder. It would undoubtedly perform very well. But, I think it would be hard pressed to outperform the Wegner. I personally think the tip of the Chinook is a little too upswept.



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Dennis Bible
 
I agree Dennis, the point can work for other purposes but it being too upswept is probably the only knock I have against it. I recall calling it the Rhino when Sal showed the stainless protos.
 
The Wegner is one of those rare knives that seems to do everything equally well. I really love my Chinook, but I definitely have a more tactical usage in mind.

That being said, the Gunting is my favorite Spydie by far. The design and the Compression lock are amazing. It's the blade I count on when the chips are down.
 
We need to remember that the Chinook was originally part of the new martial blade series Spyderco is putting out. The extreme upsweep of the blade was meant for the folder version of the back cut. Which, I can personally attest that it performs that maneuver well. Some people don't think it is wise to perform a back cut with a folder, but as strong as the lock is on the Chinook, don't think that will be a problem.

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Win if can, lose if you must, but always cheat.
 
The Chinook is awesome, but my notion, not having owned a Wegner, is that the Wegner will be a little more versatile for light utility chores. The Chinook is BIG, and the blade is WIDE. It just isn't going to be the most fun to use for fine work.

My comparison to the Military would be pretty much the same. The flat ground Military is going to cut a little better in certain circumstances too.

The Chinook will most likely perform excellently as a hunting knife though. The choil design allows you to choke up on the blade, and the point would work well for everything from starting zipper cuts to caping. Of course, the Chinook would make a great skinner with a little concentration.

When I first saw pics of the Chinook, I thought it looked ridiculous. Now that I have one, I find it to be a great hulking, strong knife that surprises me with how well it works for a variety of heavy cutting jobs. An excellent heavy hunter/skinner. And of course, just an evil nasty looking thing. Testing will tell if the lock is really up to using the back of that tip for serious work. The cool thing is, Sal was smart enough to build a safe choil into the design, as on a lot of Spyderco knives, if the blade closes, the sharp edge does not immediately contact the index finger. You can safely close the Chinook by releasing the lock in a saber grip and letting the blade fall down on your index finger, then moving your fingers out of the way before closing completely.

The Chinook is just a huge brute of a knife. Awesomely strong. From a guy who values versatility in a knife above all, I love the Chinook anyway. All that steel just puts a grin on my face every time I open the blade.

[This message has been edited by Steve Harvey (edited 11-14-2000).]
 
Steve, how does it do on a push cut? Have you had to sharpen it yet?


[This message has been edited by Smoke (edited 11-16-2000).]
 
The blade is really thick and it has a narrow hollow grind, so it doesn't slice through materials like sheets of cardboard with low effort. But the edge geometry is good, and it cuts rope like a demon. Dare I say that the Chinook was not designed to slice cardboard, but to cut flesh, and it should do that very well.

More detailed info on edge durability relative to steel type and heat treat will come later when I have had a chance to beat it up some.

It occurs to me that I didn't answer the original question of this thread very well in my first post. The Chinook has a much stronger handle than the Military, and this will inspire more faith in its owner for hard cutting. The Wegner is made of similar construction, so I cannot say whether the Chinook is that much stronger than the Wegner for hard cutting or not.

Cheers.

[This message has been edited by Steve Harvey (edited 11-15-2000).]
 
Its funny I like the tip of the chinook right where it is
biggrin.gif
. The best knife for peeling an an apple I ever had .Iv been eating them everyday since I got the chinook. Is it true that the original chinook was even more extreme? If so I wonder how.. Funny thing about the tip, it looks high but come to point perfectly on the thrust and back slash.For my hand the chinook opens easy with winter gloves and feel good with mits. Me thinks the chinnok is alot of knife for the money OO .

[This message has been edited by INFINOO (edited 11-15-2000).]
 
Infinoo's post challenged me not to project my preconceptions onto the Chinook. I just used mine to skin and quarter my lunchtime apple, and it worked fine!

There must be something that this knife is too big and nasty for. I will just have to keep looking!

I love this beast!
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I just picked my Chinook up yesterday. I must say that this knife is truly outstanding in every respect. It's design, while obviously tactical, I have found to be more than slightly utilitarian due to the point and edge shape. The way everything regarding the knife is constructed, it is the only folding knife I have handled when training with a post that I have not been worried about it closing or being unduly damaged. (The post is wrapped in two layers of carpet)

Perfect for direct slicing, thrusting, twisting slices and stabs, and back cuts; the butt is more than adequate for punyos. The blade is thick enough to use for impact over the spyderhole while the rest of the blade is ideal for hooking and line clearing. Reverse grip techniques take on a whole new dimension with this folder as well as draw cuts. And all on a relatively compact package.

I can cause the lockback on every other lockback knife to fail with a good, complete grip on the handle, especially when using it; Every other locking folder when adjusting grip due to hard contact with the target inevitably creates some insecurity and possible failure by causing the hand to touch and possibly move the liner, button, or slide that releases the blade when you may need it the most. Accidental contact, grip and adjustment during use with the Chinook lockback mean nothing due to the design and construction.

You must properly and intentionally engage the lock if you wish to close the blade. The Chinook is so ugly in it's appearance, design and construction, it's beautiful.

 
I agree with the observations made so far about the Chinook. It IS a butt kicking knife!
One shortcoming - My son was in the ER to have stitches removed. They placed one of those patient bracelets on his three year old wrist. I had my Rescue & Chinook... I used the Rescue. The Chinook was too big for THAT job! LOL
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I thought the Wegner was heavy when I got it and got used to it. Same with the Chinook. I usually have one or both of these two models on me at any given time.

John
colobbfan

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A day without Spydies is like a day without ... WELL, Spydies!!!
 
back to the original question..
yes i think the CHINOOK probebly will out proform the WEGNER in heavy duty use.
it all comes to to factors..
one:the CHINOOK has a much stronger lock
two: it is made of CPM440V steel and the edge will hold much longer then the WEGNER'S ATS-34. do not get me wrong guys i think the WEGNER is a great knife [one of my favorites].but i think it is not really a fair comparison the CHINOOK is built like a tank.
scorpio.
 
Originally posted by scorpio:
<center>SNIP</center>
two: it is made of CPM440V steel and the edge will hold much longer then the WEGNER'S ATS-34.
Click to expand...

WRONG. At least with my 440V Military and ATS-34 Wegner. Wegner holds its edge better, for what I cut.

After reading this thread, I may have to get one o' these beasts. But it having 440V is not a significant factor in the decision, in my book.



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iktomi
 
Seems to be a lot of debate right now over the performance of Spyderco 440V. The original Military I had a couple years ago certainly held an edge well.

In terms of just shear size of the parts, the Chinook should withstand more abuse than just about any other folding knife one might mention, he, he. The large comfy handle provides a lot of grip stability and leverage too, making hard cutting feel easier.

I did some cardboard slicing last night, and once again, the big C performed better than I expected. If a box cutter was a 10, and a billiard ball was a 0, I would rate the Chinook a strong 8. For comparison, my beloved Apogee might rate 8.5, just slightly less effort required. That is amazing to me, because based on my experience with my Native, I was expecting a 6!
 
rockspyder,
well,you must have then a very special WEGNER..because i have almost every spyderco ever preduced and did not find one yet to hold an edge like my military.
i also think Sal may verify that on many tests being held at the spyderco lab.
scorpio.
 
Yeah, we've all gone around on this, and I don't feel like going into it in great detail again. My experience with 440V has been pretty well documented on this forum I believe. Here is the most recent thread where Sal and I both are involved in discussions of 440V. Also a pretty good summary of what I've seen.

I doubt that I have a special Wegner. Maybe a special Military and BF Native.
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By the way, no offense intended regarding 440V and such; I may have come across a little strongly above.
redface.gif


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iktomi

[This message has been edited by rockspyder (edited 11-17-2000).]
 
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