How many like the Chinook?

B

Big D1

Joined
May 6, 1999
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Hello all. I am on the verge of purchasing a Chinook. I would like to ask Chinook owners or users, or wannabe owners a few questions.

Why do you think Spyderco used a lockback on the Chinook as opposed to a liner lock or compression lock?

Can the Chinook be opened with a flick or snap of the wrist?

How smooth is the action?

I know it is a big heavy knife, and that is why I want it, and it just looks plain awesome. How do carry yours? Pocket or sheath? Does a sheath come with it?

Has anybody spine whacked a Chinook to see how good the lock holds?

Are you satisfied with the quality and build of the Chinook?

Thanks, Big D1
 
I haven't bought one, but I've handled a few.

They used a lockback, I would think, because it's super strong and keeps the blade closed until you want it open.

The lockback is so strong on this knife that it's hard to flick it open at first. I would think it'd become a little easier over time, but keep in mind that it's a stiff knife.

It doesn't come with a sheath.

I didn't spine whack it because it'd probably smash whatever you whack it against. Spine whacking is for liner locks. This thing isn't going to budge.

I was very impressed with the build. If it were legal to carry one where I am (right where Spydies are made, actually), I'd own one.
 
The Chinook has a BEEFY lock. It is part of the MBC line which means that the lock must hold AT LEAST 200 in/lbs per inch of blade length. The Chinook has a 4" blade, right? This means that it can take 800 in/lbs of force before failure. (Someone correct me if I'm remembering these numbers wrong) Spyderco's tests revealed that they just could not make a liner lock that strong. I don't know why they didn't use a compression lock. As Shmackey said, such a strong lock means harder to flick open but knives with huge blade masses (like the Chinook) can be flicked out easier than others. I'm sure with some practice you can flip it out after a break in period.
 
"Why do you think Spyderco used a lockback on the Chinook as opposed to a liner lock or compression lock?" - Don't know. The prototypes had a liner lock at one time, but that was probably too weak. I'd like to think that they went with a lockback because it keeps the blade closed so securely. That allows you to put a false edge on the blade without much fear of it opening in your pocket. (And the Chinook begs for a false edge :))

"Can the Chinook be opened with a flick or snap of the wrist?" - Only after a few months of breaking in the backspring.

"How smooth is the action?" - Very smooth.

"I know it is a big heavy knife, and that is why I want it, and it just looks plain awesome. How do carry yours? Pocket or sheath? Does a sheath come with it?" - I get the impression that a lot of people carry it in a sheath. Personally, I go with pocket carry though because I don't like the feel of the handle without a clip; too box-like. The weight isn't a problem for me, but it does kind of tear up your pocket, as it's so wide and the scales are rough.

"Has anybody spine whacked a Chinook to see how good the lock holds?" - Oh yeah! :) Lock backs aren't always immune to failing the spine whack test, but this knife is!

"Are you satisfied with the quality and build of the Chinook?" - Yup. It's one of the best Spydies out there, IMHO.
 
Thanks for the replys. Just another question. Is the Chinook and full size Wenger similar in size? The weight of the Wenger and Chinook are just about the same, and that is the reason that I asked the size question. Big D1
 
Someone asked about why no compression lock on the Chinook.
I BELIEVE I remember Sal answering that question. It was along the lines that the compression lock was a new and untested lock. The Gunting and Chinook both came out around the same time and if I recall correctly, Sal didn't want to put all the eggs in one basket. I'm paraphrasing, sorry.
Spyderco products are famous for innovation, and I feel (IMHO) they're even stronger suit is evolution. I wouldn't be surprised that if the Chinook remains economically viable, the next generation will have a compression lock.
John
colobbfan
 
I have just recently gotten my Chinook's and I fell in love almost immediately.

I feel this is a heck of a lot of knife for the money.

On mine the action is silky smooth, but firm. It does have an adjustable pivot if you want it tighter or looser.

Fit and finish is excellent and on par with, or exceeds everything else Spyderco makes.

IMHO, the lock on it is outstanding and feels far more secure that any liner lock I own or have owned. I have never heard a lock snap into place louder than with this knife.

It is very large but I've not played with a Wegner to be able to compare them.

I feel for the $95 I have in each, they're one of the best values out there right now in a knife.

Tonight I plan to make a Concealex sheath for it just to increase my carry options :D
 
I like the Chinook so much that I have two,one to keep mint in my collection and one that is in my carry rotation. The Chinook is so well built that it looks and feels like a much bigger knife. I am hoping to be able to use it as a skinner this deer season.
 
I've never handled a Chinook, but the Wegner is my most frequent daily carry. The Chinook doesn't need liners with teh lockback. The Wegner is a liner lock, with one lock. The blade of the Wegner is surprisingly thick. And, the Wegner has a full length SS spacer, which probably adds the most weight to the Wegner, compared to other liner locks.

I love the Wegner, it is my favorite Spydie, I guess my favorite knife period, that I own. And while I think that the lock is very safe, and the Wegner has a fallback in the form of a long ricasso that would come into contact with your finger(s) if the lock failed, the fact is that the Wegner's lock isn't as strong as the Chinooks. I think the Wegner probably fares better in the sheeple area, and is a strong, very utilitarian knife, the Chinook is in a class by itself as far as Spdyercos go, and nearly in the same category including other production models. The Buck Strider and the REKAT Pioneer are about the only knives I know built as stout as the Chinook, excepting for customs.

Somebody mentioned that the Chinook's handles are rough. Is the G-10 highly textured?
 
The scales on the Chinook feel rougher than the Wegner's to me. I love the texture of the Wegner's G10 scales though. They're just about perfect in my opinion; not to slick and not too rough.

The Chinook and the Wegner are actually almost exactly the same length. It's surprising when you lay them down next to each other and discover that, as the Chinook just looks so much larger. The Chinook is thicker and wider than the Wegner though.
 
The Chinook is one awesome knife. I happen to really like lockbacks and then the axis locks. Reason being I really cant bring myself to trust liner locks. Just don't seem secure to me in most cases. Its possible to torque while your cutting with a liner lock and then inadvertently trip the release with your hands. Its possible for lockbacks to fail as well. If you white knuckle the knife in a certain grip, the knife could close again by you having the meaty part of your hand put too much pressure on the lock. But none of these things happen with the chinook. Its a massive lock and takes a really deep push to unlock it. Far deeper than other knives using the lockback. I would not flick this knife open. If you have the blade loose enough to do that, most all knives then have blade play. Also, don't bitch if you get a chinook that your knife rubs when you close it against the liners. It might, but is so slight you will never notice a mark. The space between the blade and the liner is so tight the mere torque of your hand closing it or opening it, can make the blade rub ever so slightly. Not enough to see it, but just feel it. Not everyone mentions this, but many do. It does not make a mark or hurt the blade. The knife is heavy, for pocket carry. Jeans work well. Better yet is clipping it behind your belt inside your waist band.
Blade is very heavy duty. Its one of my favorites. Strongest lockback out there IMHO. In my collection, the Chinook, Civilian and the Rekat Sifu are my favorite folders. All awesome in their own right.
 
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