Is it just me? Chinook I vs. II (or III)

pageophile

pageophile

Joined
Feb 13, 2004
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Hello All

Was over at the local knive/gun shop, looking over their current Spyderco knife stock. There was a flat grind Chinook II (or is it III now?) in the display case.

Looks amazing and it's on the "want/need" list, so we ask the fella to see said item of our spydie addiction . . . well . . . sadness entered my heart when I held the new Chinook. It's not that it's not well made (it is!), it's not that the quality isn't there (it is in spades!), it's just too light.

After owning a Chinook I, loving the feel of the knife and more importantly the heft (I like heavy, solid items) the new Chinook left me flat. It's off the list :( Am I the only one that misses the old bank vault Chinook?


Best regards,

Page

PS, My G10 Cara Cara is more like my original Chinook. Havey, solid and a bull of a knife.
 
I'm with you Page,I love my Chinook 1.I have never handled the Chinook 2 and have no reason too.To me the Chinook 1 is the best knife ever made by Spyderco.
 
as I have a Chinook I w/ S30V steel. It really is the best of the lot, in my opinion. It has the heft, the better steel, and the more Bowie shaped blade. A winner all around!

Regards,
3G
 
I've been sort of rediscovering my old Chinook I lately. Its blade shape is kind of extreme for EDC, but it's definitely a great knife.

The Chinook II just never really appealed to me for some reason.
 
Good, it's not just me :D

I always thought of the original Chinook as a Bomb-Proof Buck 110 (not a bad thing). Really need to find another one (or two) in CPM 440V

Another thing is the lock-up on the I versus the II (or III). The Chinook I sounds like a bank vault closing, that sound makes me smile every time.
 
I haven't seen the Chinook 1 but like the Newer one a lot... Could someone post pictures of the Chinook 1 and maybe both for comparison?
Thanks
 
Chinook I and Chinook II (I don't have the Chinook III, but the difference is 'only' the flat grind blade) ...

img9312smalljw1.jpg
 
I wish spyderco would bring back the chinook I. I have the chinook II and i love the knife but it is light and I to like my knives of that size to feel like a bank vault.

You listening Sal. ;)
 
What differences in construction make the Chinook I so much heavier?

(I have to say -- I do prefer the handle of the II/III. The grooves are deeper and it looks more secure...)


-kid
 
I'm listening.

The latest model is lighter and stronger.

James Keating says lighter is faster. I agree.

The ergos are better on the latest model, most of which was directed by James. I have to agree with him. the latest model is more ergonomic.

We took 2 oz of unecessary weight out of the model.

My philosophy says the goal is; "no more than necessary and no less than perfect".

If you are going to carry it, lighter is an advantage. Especially if it can be attained with no loss in strength.

The long flat grind cuts better. Preferred by James. I agree.

It surprises me that some would prefer the older model. Can you enlighten me as to what functional advantage you see in the older model?

It is also surprising that some could judge a design without having used it.

sal
 
The old blade is much wider, and the handle is much more stout. For myself, that makes it more apealing, as I carry a Strider AR. I (and perhaps others) enjoy a "heartier" knife, and the older Chinook, was indeed that. The New one, very slim and streamlined, nice, but no longer a hefty knife. Now, give the new Chinook a flat grind, with the wider blade like the 1, a thicker handle, and its perfection! But if you ever make the Bison, that will probably cover it for me. But if I could have one request, on the Bison, make the pivot thicker in diameter. The weakness in the Chinook, and Manix (IN MY EYES) is the tiny pivot. (LOL I was a dumbass kool aid drinker. The pivots are fine!)
 
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Can't disagree with you Sal, the new model is better in many ways. That being said, it doesn't evoke the same level of feelings in me as the original.

The Chinook I was a touchstone knife for me (first highend Spyderco I owned) and the new one, while better suited for it's intended purpose doesn't make my inner boy smile/chuckle.

Picking up a model I was a revelation, now that's a bull of a knife :D Love, no logic behind it
 
Personally, I really like the Chinook II. The blade shape works great for edc, and it feels the most secure in my hand. The loud click of the lock doesn't hurt either. Makes me want a Manix cause I like the spyderco G10 and the lock.

Only thing wrong with my chinook II is that when I was changing the pocket clip, I sneezed and lost a screw. Not the first time its happened either. Must be the price I pay for being 100% with a knife. Lose a screw. :rolleyes:
 
Sal Glesser said:
It surprises me that some would prefer the older model. Can you enlighten me as to what functional advantage you see in the older model?

It is also surprising that some could judge a design without having used it.

sal
Click to expand...

The I's handle is wider, which I like. (bigger hands) Not a huge difference in ergo's, but I like the I a touch better. The flat spot on the spine of the blade rather than rounded. It's like a f/b when deployed, I imagine it would take a LOT to disengage it. I love the sound it makes when I flick it open hard, it's like no other knife I own (except for the Chinook II, but it's still not as loud). For a SD knife, IMO, it looks scarier, especially when you add the thud it makes when opened.

The downside, for me, is it's weight (not that big of an issue) and the clip (no TU carry option.)

I have both in front of me as I type.

I take my I over my II or III almost every time I carry one.
 
Sal Glesser said:
I'm listening.

It surprises me that some would prefer the older model. Can you enlighten me as to what functional advantage you see in the older model?


sal
Click to expand...

I'll give it a go:

Well, since my Chinook I is from one of the last runs of that design, it has the S30V blade steel, which, in my opinion puts it on a level playing field with the Chinook II & III, geometry aside, as far as blade steel perfomance goes. I like the fact that the Chinook I has a stouter, more Bowie shaped (less Scimitar shaped) blade. I am one of those guys who likes pinned/riveted vs. screw construction (excluding the pivot), for reasons you've previously mentioned in posts (the Caly III & Ocelot are two of my favorites for this reason), so the Chinook I beats the Chinook II & III for me. I absolutely love the extra heft that the Chinook I has (partially due to the lack of skeletonization of the liners), and it reminds me of my trusty Buck 110 in that regard.

So, to recap:

Chinook I advantages:
-Bowie shaped vs. Scimitar shaped blade
-Riveted/pinned construction (except for pivot, thankfully)
-Extra heft thanks to un-skeletonized liners

Thank you for listening, Sal.:)

Regards,
3G
 
I guess when I said I don't need to handle the Chinook 11 is because of my checkbook/Better half.Mama keeps my knife buys to a minimum.If anyone has a Chinook 11 that I could play with,that might change my mind.
 
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