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i would like help with my Chaparral

N

nachum

Joined
Nov 20, 2014
Messages
219
I just started using and collecting knives a couple of months ago. I have fallen in love with Spyderco's. I currently have a Sage 1, Cricket and PM2. All function great and feel great in the hand. I just picked up a Chaparral. The blade is a lot tighter in this one compared to the other 3. It seems harder to flick open. With the Sage and PM2, if I open it a little, I can just flick my wrist to open it the rest of the way. With the Chaparral, it takes a lot of force to do this. But what bothers me more is the lock on the back. It is very tight and hard to depress. Is there a way to adjust the lock?

Last question about Spydies in general. I've read that they usually come very sharp right out of the box. The Cricket was razor sharp. The others I needed to sharpen with the sharpmaker to make it very sharp. Is this normal with new Spyderco's.

Many thanks in advance for any help or advice. I seem to be bitten by the knife bug and I look forward to learning more.
 
Backlocks tend to be less "Flickable" due to the nature of the lock than others like liner locks, frame locks, compression locks, etc. I don't think you can adjust the tension of the lockbar, but it should loosen up a little bit over time as it breaks in.
 
I did all the time when I had mine. I'm assuming you mean closing it because the opening hole is self explanatory for opening.

Grab it with your index finger behind the finger choil, depress the lock back with your thumb, and flick it closed onto your finger. The choil on the blade should impact your index finger and stop, then you can move your finger out of the way and press it the rest of the way closed with your index finger on the spine, or however feels most natural from where it rests half open.
 
No worries...I do it with all of my Spydercos that have enough room. There's a few that you wouldn't want to try it with, but all models with a choil are good to go for closing like that, and most that don't have a choil are still fine, like the Delica for example. The tang of the blade hits your finger instead of the sharpened edge. Also, you should still be able to flick it open with a thumb flick...just hold your hand a little higher up towards the pivot and it should be doable. I can't middle finger flick any of my backlocks though...just a thumb flick.
 
You can also put the tip of your pointer finger in the hole, depress the lock, and then use your pointer finger to move the blade down. Then you have a choice based on your dexterity. Some will rotate it and close it with their finger. I simply move my pointer finger to the back of the blade and snap it down. This method keeps the blade under control all the time and my fingers out of the way.
 
i am able to now close it with one hand but it's still very tight both opening and closing. is it okay to lubricate a knife? if so, what do you suggest? would it help?
 
A drop of oil in the pivot area might help, and you could also try loosening the pivot a little bit, but make sure you don't loosen it enough to induce any side to side blade play. And it should become smoother over time as the washers break in and become smoother.
 
IMO, oil won't help. Muscle memory, however, will. Keep using it, your hands will get stronger.
 
nachum said:
is it possible to use this one handed? i haven't figured out a way.
Click to expand...

Try practicing. Dexterity and hand strength are not always at level 100 in every person. Some people need time to learn to manipulate specific items without cutting themselves to shreds in the process. In the case of this knife, the blade is so small, thin, and light there is really not enough heft to it that would allow it to be flickable, that and as previously stated it is a back lock. That adds some resistance.
 
Word… I thought my Delica had finally loosened up because I am now able to close it w/ one hand. Pointer in the hole while thumb and index pinching the lock. It turns out that while it's become easier for me, my brother can't do it. Yet he's bigger and stronger than I.
 
I bought a Chaparral and the painfully hard back lock was one of the issues with mine as well. Your hands will never be stong enough for it to feel like every other back lock you have ever used. I took mine apart and moved the bar spring slightly. I don't remember in which direction. It solved the problem immediately. I believe taking the knife apart voids the warranty so you need to keep that in mind.
 
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