Chaparral: Is the value there?

While it probably wouldn't beat out my Chaparral for office carry, this thread got me to look closer at the new Sage 3 CF. Very nice looking and it's more attractively priced than I expected. It's definitely on my list now.

Good luck OP! You should probably just get both :)
 
I've got the Chaparral, the Sage 3, and the G10 Caly3. The Caly3 was my EDC for years, until the Chaparral displaced it. I wear sport coats to work, and carry a knife in the front coat pocket. The Chaparral is a much better fit in that pocket and weighs much less.

The Chaparral carries like a little knife, but feels much bigger in practice. It's every bit as useful as my Caly3 for day-to-day stuff. And the fit and finish is fantastic. But it's not much fun to play with.

I just picked up the Sage 3. Can't stop playing with it. Absolutely fantastic to flick open and closed. But it's too big to slide into a coat pocket every day. It sits on my desk at home. Also fantastic fit and finish. But it's bigger than it looks. It's not displacing the Chap from my pockets.
 
Well guys, here's what happened.

The more and more I looked at the Gayle Bradley, the more and more beautiful it looked to me. I mean that thing is gorgeous.

So I bought it. :D

I'll be selling the ZT 0350. I still intend to get the Chap later down the line for when I have to wear a suit or when concealability is a factor.

I want to thank everyone who responded for the good suggestions and advice. I'll be hanging around here a lot more often.
 
The Bradley is a very nice looking knife. I have a Chaparral coming that I picked up from another member, and am really anxious to check it out. The Bradley may be next, or the Sage 3, or the Caly 3, or...... :D
 
wtturn said:
Well guys, here's what happened.

The more and more I looked at the Gayle Bradley, the more and more beautiful it looked to me. I mean that thing is gorgeous.

So I bought it. :D

I'll be selling the ZT 0350. I still intend to get the Chap later down the line for when I have to wear a suit or when concealability is a factor.

I want to thank everyone who responded for the good suggestions and advice. I'll be hanging around here a lot more often.
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Hahaha...nice! And fwiw, I probably like the Bradley better than any of the knives we had been discussing here anyway! :D Post some pics and let us know how u like it when it comes in. It's a helluva a knife!
 
Surfingringo said:
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!
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If I worked in an Office setting where people wore professional attire the Sage 2 would be my first choice.:thumbup:
 
Glad you're happy with your Bradley. As much as I wanted to, I could never warm up to the clunkiness of the ZT350. Got a Paramilitary 2 instead of the ZT350 and am much happier even though they are very different knives.

Love my Chaparral for EDC. The Taiwan textured CF is my favourite handle material on any Spyderco. Wish I could get a Caly 3 with it.
 
The chaparral is my favourite knife and between the steel, size, ergos, and amazing f&f I believe the value is definitely there.
However the dice seems like it would better fit your needs
 
Chris "Anagarika";13697816 said:
I work in office & the Bradley is elegant enough not to freak out people ;)
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I'm fortunate to live in the rural South where no one bats an eye at knives.
 
Surfingringo said:
Post some pics and let us know how u like it when it comes in. It's a helluva a knife!
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I love it.

IMG_0919_zps5c4712f2.jpg


IMG_0916_zps31a430f7.jpg
 
I would have kept the one I had if the lockbar release cutout wasn't squared off. This is one of the few times where Spyderco made something that was NOT ergonomic. My thumb and fingers are not squared off and it doesn't feel good when you depress the lockbar. On top of this the lockbar is short and the steel is thin since the blade is thin. Having to press a thin lockbar down into a squared off area kinda sucks.
 
I really liked the Chaparral just too small for me. Not into gentleman's folders either. Blade was to thin,and didn't like clip. If you like gentleman's folder's yes it's a good value. CF scales feel great,good steel, and well made.
 
David Lowry said:
I would have kept the one I had if the lockbar release cutout wasn't squared off. This is one of the few times where Spyderco made something that was NOT ergonomic. My thumb and fingers are not squared off and it doesn't feel good when you depress the lockbar. On top of this the lockbar is short and the steel is thin since the blade is thin. Having to press a thin lockbar down into a squared off area kinda sucks.
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Hi David, I'm not sure what you mean by a "squared off area"? Are you referencing that there is no relief cut out to give easier access to the lockbar? That's a somewhat common complaint on this knife. I know it was made that way as part of the hard use design philosophy (to prevent accidental disengagement). Some people find the lock difficult but I never had an issue. Regarding your statement about the lockbar being thin...mmm, I don't know man, I find the lockbar on the GB to be exceptionally thick for a liner lock. Hell, I've seen framelocks that aren't any thicker than that.

An OOF pic pulled from a quick google search...
FDD6E1C4-CA6B-4978-A844-A62395F67A63-2722-000008ED24D19F31_zps34793d26.jpg
 
Surfingringo said:
Hi David, I'm not sure what you mean by a "squared off area"? Are you referencing that there is no relief cut out to give easier access to the lockbar? That's a somewhat common complaint on this knife. I know it was made that way as part of the hard use design philosophy (to prevent accidental disengagement). Some people find the lock difficult but I never had an issue. Regarding your statement about the lockbar being thin...mmm, I don't know man, I find the lockbar on the GB to be exceptionally thick for a liner lock. Hell, I've seen framelocks that aren't any thicker than that.

An OOF pic pulled from a quick google search...
FDD6E1C4-CA6B-4978-A844-A62395F67A63-2722-000008ED24D19F31_zps34793d26.jpg
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This thread is about a Chaparral, not the Gayle Bradley.
 
skyhorse said:
If I worked in an Office setting where people wore professional attire the Sage 2 would be my first choice.:thumbup:
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This coming from a guy who lives in Chaparral???
The sage never fit well in my hand. The Chaparral fits perfectly, and oddly enough, so does the Gayle Bradley.
 
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