Chinook II with a more "conventional" blade shape?

Senator

Senator

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Oct 2, 1998
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Has anyone at Spyderco given thought to a knife with the Chinook-like handle and construction with a more conventional Spyderco blade shape? Perhaps a flat ground clip point such as the blade on the Military.

I love almost everything about my new Chinook II - the thick handle slabs, dual liners, thick lockback, handle shape, S30V steel - but the blade shape isn't optimum for EDC use. I realize it's made for self-defense, but I'd love to see a version that would be more EDC-friendly.
 
Oh yeah,that would basicly be a lock back Military and I would LOVE one.
 
I would buy one in a heartbeat. The only reason I haven't sprung for the current Chinook II is due to the blade shape.
 
There is a lot of talk about this new Chinook II. I've never handled I or II, but it still looks interesting. I just ordered my first Military and I'm sure I'll love it, but I may be looking to get a Chinook next. So, I ask, is the I or the II better? In my experience, new Spydercos are always better than their predecessor, but a few would argue that.:confused: ;) :D

Is the Chinook really designed for self defense? It looks more like a general combat/work knife.
 
The Chinook II is THEEEEE combat knife,just pick one up and you will feel like a 1 man mass killing spree is about to take place.but then youmust put it down.
 
Haha! Sounds like a typical Spydernut reaction. I can visualize me doing that in fact... I hold it in my hand a devilish look comes across my face and the sky blackens and then I'm jumping out of a Chinook helicopter and then I snap out of it and look around to see if anyone saw me as I gently place it back in the display case.:rolleyes:
 
Has anyone noticed that if the ATR had G10 scales it would be what we are describeing.
 
What about the Chinook II blade shape makes it not EDC-friendly?

Although intended for self-defense, the Chinook II makes a great EDC knife.
It has a nice point, works well in the kitchen, opens boxes and, although I have not used it for skinning, I have done enough skinning to say it would do well in the field if a person had to dress game with only one knife.

I think the designers put everything they knew about ergonomics into this knife.
It does it all.

But if enough poeple want a knife with a Chinook II handle and a folding fork for a blade, I suppose Spyderco would make it for them.
I suspect, though, that those who have spoken in favor of a Chinook II with a different blade do not own a Chinook II.

By the way, I have jumped out of military helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft during the 1960's era.
We carried KABAR's and Gerber MkII's.
A knife like the Chinook II would have overwhelmed our tiny little brains.

Do yourself a favor: get a Chinook II and say "Thank you, Spyderco, thank you."
 
Originally posted by Ken Cox
What about the Chinook II blade shape makes it not EDC-friendly?
(snip)
It has a nice point, works well in the kitchen, opens boxes and, although I have not used it for skinning, I have done enough skinning to say it would do well in the field if a person had to dress game with only one knife.
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It has a great point. It's just that you have to turn your hand upside-down to use it for anything other than eviscerating your enemy. :p

For doing those everyday chores like opening the mail, opening packages, and cutting out newspaper and magazine articles the point really should be a whole lot lower than it is now.


I suspect, though, that those who have spoken in favor of a Chinook II with a different blade do not own a Chinook II.
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Like I said in my first post, I love almost everything about my new Chinook II. ;)
 
From what I have read, I believe Jim Keating's view of the Chinook concept was a folder that would basically do it all for him. It had to have strong SD characteristics, but also a blade design that would lend itself to daily tasks. It is, for all intent and purpose, one man's evolving vision of an EDC folder.

Oh, I have a Chinook II PE, I have a combo edge on the way. I have PE Chinook I headed my way as well. I use to have the Chinook I when they were first released. Two minor issues annoyed me. The blade grind was not consistent from knife to knife. And even with tight tolerances, I found most had substantial lateral play. Chinook II solved both issues. :)

I'm happy and the Chinook II is fast winding its way back on my all time favorite list. Which will bring the count of all time favorites to 3 different knives.
 
I believe Sal said he was going to show a Chinook proto with a leaf style blade at SHOT and see what people thought. I haven't heard anything more about this but I hope it's true.
 
If anyone is good with photoshop, you can take the leaf blade from the Temperance and put it on a Chinook handle. That will give you an idea of what it would look like.
 
Spyderco needs a good recurve in the line. ;)
I would go for a Chinook II handle mated to a drop point recurve.
 
Originally posted by John Frederick
I believe Sal said he was going to show a Chinook proto with a leaf style blade at SHOT and see what people thought. I haven't heard anything more about this but I hope it's true.
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I remember this fact also.
 
Shootist,

Absolutely agree with you. Although a leaf blade will be very good (I have a Li'T), I think that we are missing something like a Wayne Goddard blade or Wegner's one.
I think that a Yatagan type of blade (a la Opinel) would also be an interesting possibility.
I had an opportunity to keep in hands an original Yatagan (used centuries ago by both Turks and Croats) and was very very impressed. Incredible! Maybe, one day Sal designs such a knife - nothing similar exists as far as I know. Yatagan is clearly a perfect fighter.

Franco
 
Actually we created a totaly new design using the Chinook locking geometry, G-10 handle and leaf blade.

sal
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser
Actually we created a totaly new design using the Chinook locking geometry, G-10 handle and leaf blade.
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Now that's what I'm talkin'about! :D Care to share some more details? When might it be available? Pics?
 
I was about to request another run at the 4" Calypso, but a leaf-bladed Chinook would fit the bill just fine. Please.
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser
Actually we created a totaly new design using the Chinook locking geometry, G-10 handle and leaf blade.

sal
Click to expand...

That sounds very nice. I really like the full flat grind leaf blade. I'd pick one up if it goes into production.
 
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