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- Apr 27, 2003
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Posted this over on the factory forum, but figure some here may not go there. Found a box on my doorstep the other day, Didn't have my glasses on and thought at first it was something I wasn't expecting until March. When I opened it, I almost went into shock. In addition to a couple neat "old timers", there was this little jewel...
Typical of Sal, there was no paperwork in the box, so I have no idea if this is production or from a pilot run, when they'll start shipping to dealers, what MSRP will be, or even whether it was just sent for photos or for a full test drive.
I sincerely hope it was the later 'cause although I've taken quite a few pictures of it, as the title implies I could not resist playing with it, cutting stuff with it, and pocket testing it. I'll post more photos in the Gallery later today but wanted to give you my impressions of it here first.
Let me start by admitting I'm biased. Midlocks with 50/50 choils are "my kind of knives" so I was interested from the moment Sal first described the Chaparral. That interest grew deeper after seeing photos and videos of it from SHOT, and deeper yet when Sal mentioned it would sport a 2mm thin blade. Having it in my hand has simply confirmed how right I was to be excited over it. It's not a knife that will appeal to the hard use crowd, but it's one super sweet gentleman's folder for those looking for a well made attractive folder for the city, the office, or any occasion where blade length and the sensitivities of non-knife people need to be considered, it's most certainly worthy of consideration. I know one will be in my pocket next time I'm traveling. I'll just add that I think those who were attracted to the Cat, but wanted something with top quality fit and finish really need to give it a look, It's only 1 gram heavier, and 1/16" longer when closed, but packs an extra 3/8" of blade and is full ambi to boot. Ditto for those who liked the size of the CF Walker but found things about it that did not work well for them.
The Chaparral is thin, a mere 5/16" thick not counting the clip. That's equal to the thickness of 6 US pennies and the same as the CF Caly 3, if you don't count the Caly's protruding pivot bolt. It's also the same thickness as the CF Balance and a full handle thickness thinner than the CF Sage. As expected, given it's thinner and slightly shorter blade, it's lighter than the Caly 3 and Sage I, a mere 2.5 oz / 70 grams on my scale, and a bit more compact than either of them in both length and height. Blade length measures out at 2 13/16" with a 2 11/32" cutting edge. When closed it's 3 5/8" long, so it disappears very nicely in my back pocket. The carbon fiber is textured like that of the Sage I and Terzuola SlipIt so it provides both elegance and traction. The waterfall wire clip allows very discreet carry. Fit and finish are what those of us who have handled some of their other offerings have come expect from Spyderco's premier Taiwanese maker, flawless.
I find the ergonomics to be excellent. The handle fits very well in my hand. The choil is comfortable, and begs to be used, but I can get a secure four finger grip behind it if the need for more leverage or a bit more reach arises. Like all midlocks there is some resistance to opening but the action is very smooth and what I would consider to be relatively light. Again like all midlocks, the Chaparral blade wants to remain closed and will snap back into place from about 1" out. I'm a fan of the midlock, at least partly because I prefer the resistance it offers when opening and closing to a blade that swings as freely as a garden gate, and has no inclination to stay closed. Those who like to flick their knives open should probably stick to other locks. For those who like an audible signal that the lock has engaged, the skeletonized liners and CF scales create a good sounding board, so there's a very satisfying click when the lockbar snaps into place. The deep 50/50 choil makes one hand closing safe and easy and the dent-free lock bar releases willingly without bottoming out.
The full flat ground 2mm blade slices like a demon, In fact, its first Spyderco folder I've tried that will out slice a Caly 3. I did some comparison cutting in the kitchen pitting it against my Caly 3, Sage 1, and Stretch, and K05 Utility Knife. Peeled and diced apples, onions, potatoes, and a sweet potato. Only the K05 out sliced it, which proved to me that, all else being equal, a thinner blade slices better. I found no blade play, either vertical or horizontal, even when pressing down while slicing and dicing. The thin blade stock and leaf shape create a fine "splinter picker" tip, another feature I appreciate.
IMHO, the Chaparral is yet another home run for the talented folks in Taichung. All in all it's a great folder for the city, the office, any occasion where blade length and the sensitivities of non-knife people need to be considered, and for those who just prefer a smaller pocket knife. I know it will be in my pocket next time I'm traveling. I'd advise those who liked the Cat, but either could not get one or wanted something with top quality fit and finish should definitely give it a look, It's only 1 gram heavier, and 1/16" longer when closed, but packs an extra 3/8" of blade and is full ambidextrous to boot.
For those who to reverse or remove the clip, the clip screw is the somewhat standard T-9 Torx and the procedure is basically the same as with any of the recent wire clip equipped knives.
Finally, for those who like their dimensional data organized:
Weight: 2.5 oz. --- 70 grams
Overall Length: 6 7/16" --- 6.4325" --- 163.5mm
Blade Length: 2 13/16" --- 2.8125" --- 71.5mm
Cutting Edge: 2 11/32" --- 2.34375" --- 59.5mm
Blade Thickness: 5/64" --- .07874" --- 2mm
Closed Length: 3 5/8" --- 3.625" --- 92mm
Handle Thickness (excluding clip): 5/16" --- .3125" --- 8mm
Spyderhole Diameter: 33/64" --- .5118110" --- 13mm
Paul
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
Typical of Sal, there was no paperwork in the box, so I have no idea if this is production or from a pilot run, when they'll start shipping to dealers, what MSRP will be, or even whether it was just sent for photos or for a full test drive.
I sincerely hope it was the later 'cause although I've taken quite a few pictures of it, as the title implies I could not resist playing with it, cutting stuff with it, and pocket testing it. I'll post more photos in the Gallery later today but wanted to give you my impressions of it here first. Let me start by admitting I'm biased. Midlocks with 50/50 choils are "my kind of knives" so I was interested from the moment Sal first described the Chaparral. That interest grew deeper after seeing photos and videos of it from SHOT, and deeper yet when Sal mentioned it would sport a 2mm thin blade. Having it in my hand has simply confirmed how right I was to be excited over it. It's not a knife that will appeal to the hard use crowd, but it's one super sweet gentleman's folder for those looking for a well made attractive folder for the city, the office, or any occasion where blade length and the sensitivities of non-knife people need to be considered, it's most certainly worthy of consideration. I know one will be in my pocket next time I'm traveling. I'll just add that I think those who were attracted to the Cat, but wanted something with top quality fit and finish really need to give it a look, It's only 1 gram heavier, and 1/16" longer when closed, but packs an extra 3/8" of blade and is full ambi to boot. Ditto for those who liked the size of the CF Walker but found things about it that did not work well for them.
The Chaparral is thin, a mere 5/16" thick not counting the clip. That's equal to the thickness of 6 US pennies and the same as the CF Caly 3, if you don't count the Caly's protruding pivot bolt. It's also the same thickness as the CF Balance and a full handle thickness thinner than the CF Sage. As expected, given it's thinner and slightly shorter blade, it's lighter than the Caly 3 and Sage I, a mere 2.5 oz / 70 grams on my scale, and a bit more compact than either of them in both length and height. Blade length measures out at 2 13/16" with a 2 11/32" cutting edge. When closed it's 3 5/8" long, so it disappears very nicely in my back pocket. The carbon fiber is textured like that of the Sage I and Terzuola SlipIt so it provides both elegance and traction. The waterfall wire clip allows very discreet carry. Fit and finish are what those of us who have handled some of their other offerings have come expect from Spyderco's premier Taiwanese maker, flawless.
I find the ergonomics to be excellent. The handle fits very well in my hand. The choil is comfortable, and begs to be used, but I can get a secure four finger grip behind it if the need for more leverage or a bit more reach arises. Like all midlocks there is some resistance to opening but the action is very smooth and what I would consider to be relatively light. Again like all midlocks, the Chaparral blade wants to remain closed and will snap back into place from about 1" out. I'm a fan of the midlock, at least partly because I prefer the resistance it offers when opening and closing to a blade that swings as freely as a garden gate, and has no inclination to stay closed. Those who like to flick their knives open should probably stick to other locks. For those who like an audible signal that the lock has engaged, the skeletonized liners and CF scales create a good sounding board, so there's a very satisfying click when the lockbar snaps into place. The deep 50/50 choil makes one hand closing safe and easy and the dent-free lock bar releases willingly without bottoming out.
The full flat ground 2mm blade slices like a demon, In fact, its first Spyderco folder I've tried that will out slice a Caly 3. I did some comparison cutting in the kitchen pitting it against my Caly 3, Sage 1, and Stretch, and K05 Utility Knife. Peeled and diced apples, onions, potatoes, and a sweet potato. Only the K05 out sliced it, which proved to me that, all else being equal, a thinner blade slices better. I found no blade play, either vertical or horizontal, even when pressing down while slicing and dicing. The thin blade stock and leaf shape create a fine "splinter picker" tip, another feature I appreciate.
IMHO, the Chaparral is yet another home run for the talented folks in Taichung. All in all it's a great folder for the city, the office, any occasion where blade length and the sensitivities of non-knife people need to be considered, and for those who just prefer a smaller pocket knife. I know it will be in my pocket next time I'm traveling. I'd advise those who liked the Cat, but either could not get one or wanted something with top quality fit and finish should definitely give it a look, It's only 1 gram heavier, and 1/16" longer when closed, but packs an extra 3/8" of blade and is full ambidextrous to boot.
For those who to reverse or remove the clip, the clip screw is the somewhat standard T-9 Torx and the procedure is basically the same as with any of the recent wire clip equipped knives.
Finally, for those who like their dimensional data organized:
Weight: 2.5 oz. --- 70 grams
Overall Length: 6 7/16" --- 6.4325" --- 163.5mm
Blade Length: 2 13/16" --- 2.8125" --- 71.5mm
Cutting Edge: 2 11/32" --- 2.34375" --- 59.5mm
Blade Thickness: 5/64" --- .07874" --- 2mm
Closed Length: 3 5/8" --- 3.625" --- 92mm
Handle Thickness (excluding clip): 5/16" --- .3125" --- 8mm
Spyderhole Diameter: 33/64" --- .5118110" --- 13mm
Paul
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
