Chaparral owners - input and observations?

symphonyincminor

symphonyincminor

Joined
Oct 5, 2005
Messages
2,400
So CTS-XHP has been on my radar for a while now. Described as a (more) stainless D2 with high attainable hardness, it's right up my alley for what I look for in blade steel. :thumbup:

I missed out on the Paramilitary Sprint Run.

Mule is available as I type :eek:, but it would never leave the house. A folder fits my needs better.

Imagine my bank account's shock and dismay when then 2013 calender outlined the transition from CPM-S30V to CTS-XHP! Just what I was hoping for..... great aesthetic design, carbon fiber, reliable lockback, choil, flat-ground, wire clip, Spyderco heat-treat and edge geometry..... all at a very, very attractive price point.

Any input from users out there? This knife would usually fall into the 'smaller than what I'm used to' category, but there's just something about the overall design that makes me want one.

I'm more interested in the negatives than the positives.... not that I'm not going to get it once the 2013 models hit my favorite online retailers. :p
 
I got my Chaparral about a month ago. It's currently my EDC. Living here in NYC I need to be very careful about what I carry as the carry laws are tough and ambiguous.

It is a little smaller than what I would usually carry as an EDC, but for what I'm using it for, it is a tremendous knife. I have been very impressed with the Taichung made knives I've bought recently and the Chaparral was no exception. The lockup on it is super solid for a smaller knife. It has that solid click. The carbon fiber has just enough tooth to make it grippy but not overly agressive.

To be honest with you, there's not a whole lot I don't like about this knife. If you're looking for a bigger blade, you may want to look elsewhere, but I wouldn't hold that against it. 4 way clip might have been nice I suppose.

Sorry I can't find more negatives :)
 
I bought one when they first came out. It has great fit and finish. The 2mm thick blade is very silcey.
You want a negative? The handle is a little short unless I use the choil.
 
AF said:
I bought one when they first came out. It has great fit and finish. The 2mm thick blade is very silcey.
You want a negative? The handle is a little short unless I use the choil.
Click to expand...

I've come to the conclusion that some Spydercos are simply designed to be used with a choil and not without it. The original Paramilitary is a fine example.


As for the Chap, i've been very interested for a while but don't have one yet. The steel change has me really intrigued.
 
I have the original with CF scales and S30V. I'm not usually the biggest fan of lock backs but mine has absolutely no play and it's small enough that I can close it one handed without any finger contortions. While I like the size in that regard I do think that the handle is a little too small, it almost forces you to use the choil to be comfortable. I usually prefer bigger blades, but I bought this for a dress knife and the likelihood of needing more blade for those occasions is minimal. Most days I choose to carry something larger. It is a slicing machine though. I can't really say the knife has any drawbacks if you're looking for a knife in that size range.
 
As long as it stays about the same price, I will pick up an XHP Chaparral.

I've been carrying a techno and really like how it has been performing. It takes a screaming sharp edge and I imagine with a 2mm blade, it would be a wicked little knife. I really like the texture of the CF that Spyderco has been using on the Taichung knives. I don't see this as being anything but a win.

Just my $.02
 
My Ti chapparal is awesome. It has near perfect tolerances and is quite sharp. It is of course a gentleman's knife with the attractive Ti scales(for a change) and the knife is a laser with the steel and thickness. I really should use mine more.
 
I have the carbon fiber and titanium handled versions. Very nice knives both with smooth action and solid lock up.
I have been carrying the CF one since I got it and haven't used the fancy titanium enough yet to comment on the steel.
They are a smaller knife but have plenty of cutting edge for all the tasks I need it for at the office. I haven't put them
side by side but I think it is very close in size to the legendary original calypso jr. which has been my favorite knife since
I got it when they first came out as experimentals....at least that is what was on the box when I bought he first one.

Just compared the two...original Calypso Jr. is just a little bigger than the Chaparral.
 
Last edited:
Bought one a year or so back and carried it for a considerable time. Nice slicer and I treated her pretty gently, but I noticed a small chip at the tip one day. I'm sure it was user error, but I was surprised. Still recommended, though mine needs a subtle regrind.
 
Mr. Sogetsu said:
My Ti chapparal is awesome. It has near perfect tolerances and is quite sharp. It is of course a gentleman's knife with the attractive Ti scales(for a change) and the knife is a laser with the steel and thickness. I really should use mine more.
Click to expand...

+1 on everything in this post. I'm afraid to EDC the gorgeous Ti chap.

I was hoping to get a CF chap for x-mas because I love the size of the knife for front pocket carry.
 
It is one my favorite knives. It is definitely best used with the choil.

I'm considering getting another because I really want to try XHP.
 
I am getting a CF one for Christmas so will chime back in after Santa comes. That said, I am a big fan of S30V so I popped for the original instead of waiting. I am sure XHP will be awesome, but for my uses (EDC/gents folder) S30V seems already over-engineered for the job. :) As for the comments of it having a small handle... well, yeah, I am sure it does... it's a small knife. :)

Anyway, really looking forward to getting mine (and got it at a decent price too... $96 & free shipping!).
 
Yup, one of the best choices you've made. It looks like a small knife but the ergos will make this an afterthought.

I only have one negative- closing the knife takes twice as long as opening, but I'm nitpicking really.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top