Chaparral: Is the value there?

W

wtturn

Joined
Mar 16, 2014
Messages
21
I'm on the fence on the Chap.

I want a nice folder for office slacks carry. I've been carrying the ZT0350 which actually is not bad for office carry, just a little chunky in the pocket.

I found I can get a Chap for $99 shipped. My concern is that it seems like not many features for the price. The lock is boring, since I like to flip and play with my knives throughout the day. I could get a PM2 for $105 which seems like a fun knife to flip and close. But the ZT0350 seems to be in the same "class" as the PM2 and the OCD part of me dislikes overlap in purpose. I like each knife to have a specific function and purpose.

What do you think? Does the Chap give you it's money's worth?

Alternatively, is there some other mid-size, low (deep-ish carry) profile, light-ish weight knife (not necessarily spyderco) that I should be looking at?

For reference, I like the aesthetics of the Manix2, Stretch, and Gayle Bradley.
Thanks.
 
I recommend checking out the sage 1, its a great size edc and the carbon fiber twill is great.
 
It gives me more than my money's worth. IMHO, the CF Chaparral is a little jewel and is the knife I carry whenever I go into Greenville and can't legally carry my Stretch due to the 3" blade law there. The twill CF looks and feels great, the action is nice and smooth, the thin blade makes it an excellent slicer, and the entire knife is thin enough to disappear nicely in my pocket. However, I don't flip or flick my knives, so YMMV.
 
Got a caly 3.5? Long thin blade, deep carry. Those are nice and thin for slacks. They're very smooth too.
 
I love my Chaparral, but if flicking is your thing then don't get it. It doesn't flick well.

I would go for the Domino or Dice.
 
amflud said:
I love my Chaparral, but if flicking is your thing then don't get it. It doesn't flick well.

I would go for the Domino or Dice.
Click to expand...

This right here, the chaparral is a fine, fine office knife. Also look into the caly series. Very well designed for such thing.
 
I work in a pretty conservative corporate environment. I carry the Chaparral every day. It is a fantastically built little slicer.

That said, it's not for everyone. I also really like the Calys. I usually end up with my 3.5 or a Para2 in my pocket outside of work.
 
The Sage is significantly larger than the Chaparral. For me, it seemed a little too large and wide in the pocket, ymmv.
 
If you want a perfect gentlemens spyderco. Go grab the carbon fiber sage 3 right now, i promise you you will not be disappointed. In my opionion the chap or any other sage have nothing on the sage 3. It has the smoothest lock i have ever used, best clip that spyderco offers(wire clip), its a super slicer and so fun to play with. When i first got mine i couldnt stop playing with it for days and still cant. Flicks open with ease, takes no effort from your thumb at all to open. The bolt action lock is so smooth, can be operated with one finger and the blade just gravity falls closed. You will never be bored ever again as long as that things in your pocket.
 
KyleMS11 said:
If you want a perfect gentlemens spyderco. Go grab the carbon fiber sage 3 right now, i promise you you will not be disappointed. In my opionion the chap or any other sage have nothing on the sage 3. It has the smoothest lock i have ever used, best clip that spyderco offers(wire clip), its a super slicer and so fun to play with. When i first got mine i couldnt stop playing with it for days and still cant. Flicks open with ease, takes no effort from your thumb at all to open. The bolt action lock is so smooth, can be operated with one finger and the blade just gravity falls closed. You will never be bored ever again as long as that things in your pocket.
Click to expand...

wow, I like that too!
 
If you like Carbon Fiber looks.. i guess your options so far are:

1) Chaparral
2) Caly 3.5 ZDP 189
3) Sage 3 CF
4) Sage 1

All are great choices!
 
I have just got my FG Chaparral and first impressions are good, it is not the most exciting knife i have ever owned but it rides low in the pocket and you dont notice it until you need it, F&F is perfect as you would expect, hair popping blade slices like a sharp thing. If you want a small office folder i would suggest the Air Bradley, i could not stop playing with mine,it had such a pleasing smooth action, i am almost tempted to get another one, but for now my new Chaparral and my recently acquired Spin will do me just fine. Good luck with your choice ,as we all know you can not go wrong with a Spydie...
 
I say sage 3! The sage series is just so nice, and they all flip so buttery smooth. :)
 
wtturn said:
I sure like the looks of the Sage 1.
Click to expand...

If you can hold a Sage 1, you re mind will be made up. This is a well regarded knife and is still underrated. Possibly one of the best knives Spyderco offers.
 
While the Sage in this photo is a Sage I, the Sage III is virtually identical in size, so it should give you a good idea of the relative sizes of the Manix 2, Sages, and Chaparrals...

comp_chap_m2_sage_01.jpg
 
The sage is actually quite a bit bigger than the chap in hand and pocket. I personally prefer the chaparral for a small ergonomic edc...and that's coming from a guy who normally gravitates toward larger folders.

Edit: however, if lock type is at the top of your list, the sages are very nice knives and you might like them better for their locks. If u feel like coughing up a little extra cash then the titanium sage 2 is another option. My buddy just got one and that knife is awesome!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top