Kapara

[BilboBaggins]

Snowing!!!

 

[sgt1372]

It's a nice looking knife but it doesn't check any boxes for me. Wouldn't mind picking one up for the "right" price but it's not the the top of my list.

From Sypderco's description of it, it was designed more for food prep than anything else. Kind of a modified Spydiechef, I guess. I've got a lot of cooking knives and I don't need a folder for that. I carry a folder either as a general utility knife and/or for self defense purposes. The Kapara (like any other knife) an certainly be used as a utility/SD blade but there are many other knives that are better suited for that purpose IMO.

Among the new models that I have recently purchased, I like the Amalgam and Autonomy and am looking forward to receiving the Tropen (that I pre-ordered) when it is finally released.

 

[madcap_magician]

Oh man, I got mine Friday, and it's gorgeous. The lock is stiff, but everything else about it is beautiful.

 

[Mo2]

 

[Cscotttsss]

Just got mine.
View attachment 1031573 View attachment 1031574 View attachment 1031575

Those photos are about to cause me to pull the trigger on one.

 

[madcap_magician]

Those photos are about to cause me to pull the trigger on one.

This might be weird, but I look at it a bit like a hybrid between a Sinkevich ZT and a Spyderco. The pivot design is really good-looking without being gaudy or over-the-top. It has a very ZT-esque vibe to it. The high blade length-to-height ratio and slender form look like a Sinkevich. The compression lock and Spyderhole are obviously Spyderco. The slightly sheepsfoot-shaped blade combined with its length and slenderness looks really good. Full flat grind slicer. And the carbon fiber is gorgeous with the slight contrast against the pivot. The red G10 backspacer is just perfect, a little showy, but not at all blingy.

 

[John_0917]

I already own a 940-1...is it worth selling and getting one of these?

 

[madcap_magician]

I already own a 940-1...is it worth selling and getting one of these?

I think the only real comparison is that they're both slim, fairly long knives. I've never really been attracted to the 940-1.

 

[John_0917]

I think the only real comparison is that they're both slim, fairly long knives. I've never really been attracted to the 940-1.

I was seeing in in terms of blade shape, overall size, SXXV steel, CF scales, fidget friendly lock.

Is the Kapara CF solid (like Golden models) or laminate like the Sliverax etc?

 

[Mo2]

I already own a 940-1...is it worth selling and getting one of these?

I have a 940-1 and I'm getting a kapara soon. Not sure if it's shipped yet.

I would say it's better but the 940-1 is smaller and thinner. I use it when I go jogging sometimes since it's so slim. Otherwise I hate the blade profile being so thick behind the edge.
The kapara looks like a slicer but it also looks much bigger. I'll have to put them side by side when I get em. Then you have compression lock vs axis lock, which do you prefer they are about the same to me. I dislike both locks and favor frame locks instead. Both can be finger flicked or thumbstud open. One has s30v the other s90v. S30v sharpens easier but less premium.

 

[BilboBaggins]

I’ve found it perfect for EDC tasks. I don’t use my knife for food prep, but it has been fantastic at everything else. It’s super slicey.

 

[Mo2]

I was seeing in in terms of blade shape, overall size, SXXV steel, CF scales, fidget friendly lock.

Is the Kapara CF solid (like Golden models) or laminate like the Sliverax etc?

Its solid real carbon fiber. Not a g10 cf laminate.
Though the 940-1 doesn't have steel liners the kapara does.

 

[Mo2]

So the action on the 940-1 is better than the kapara out of the box. It has yet to break in though. The compression lock is stiff right now. The kapara is a bit larger and a tiny bit heavier. Obviously due to the metal liners.

I'm not suggesting to sell one and buy the other... But I do prefer the blade of the kapara over the 940-1 the ergos could go either way. But the kapara has a finger choil.

Initial impressions of the kapara are not conclusive to me atm. I need to wear it in and get some time with it. My only dislike atm is the overly stiff compression lock out of the box.

Here's some photos against the 940-1 for comparison ...

https://imgur.com/a/Sh3VL2n

 

[Smaug]

Congrats on the Kapara, madcap.

I have a 940 and the Kapara. Both are great knives. Both carry slim in the pocket. The 940 is more flickable; a bit more fun to play with. The Kapara doesn't ever loosen up to be like the Benchmade. The 940 is really a masterpiece; I think you should keep it.

That said, the Kapara is just brilliant. I've had a few Spydercos I thought I would just love, but didn't. The Kapara's a keeper. It's big, but without feeling big in the pocket. (3-5/8" blade) The pocket clip has less tension than the Benchmade's, which is too tight for my taste. You CAN flick the Kapara, but it doesn't come naturally, like it does with the 940. You have to practice a bit. And flicking it closed is just like the 940; sometimes it bounces back out a bit, sometimes you don't get it all the way if you try to time the lock tension just right.

If I could only have one, I'd have the Kapara, but if I had to sell my BM 940 to get one, I wouldn't. I find some other way to raise the money. The Kapara is more knife for the money. Solid carbon fiber that just has a beautiful sheen when rotated in the hand. Two very good grip options: it doesn't feel awkward to choke up nor to hold it further back. It's just perfect both ways. It's more slicey than the BM 940, but not in the same league as the Spydiechef.

Save your money, and when you get close, look for a nice second-hand Kapara. The "new will be wearing off" with some early adopters.

Here's a shot of the Kapara next to a BM 940, Cold Steel Large Voyager and a Spydiechef. You can see that, despite being physically smaller, (esp. in the handle) that it has about the same amount of edge as the Voyager. It has a bit more than the 940, and about the same as the 'chef. (since the 'chef has so much belly)

 

[Heirphoto]

I already own a 940-1...is it worth selling and getting one of these?

I have had both. I used my earlier 940s for heavier work, EDC, etc.... very sturdy despite the small size in hand. The Kapara seems best for lighter work, food prep, etc....and due to this mine still sits in its box unused. The most work it has done was pose for those photos on the previous page. For me it was great in concept but in reality I need and use a workhorse (various Emersons and my earlier 940) for most of my tasks in the yard and shop so never even used it. For food prep, fruit, etc... I tend to use a slip joint like a Case Backpocket or a GEC #43. Even my newest 940 sits unused as well. Both it (a black blade) and the Kapara just get fondled at my desk occasionally as they look super.

 

[Mo2]

I took this short vid on ig last night.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsW6LTMhVXP/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=j5wo1gqhrryg

I think I'm gonna take it down and bend the lockbar a bit and maybe loosen the pivot a tad than what it is factory.

 

[BD_01]

I think I'm gonna take it down and bend the lockbar a bit and maybe loosen the pivot a tad than what it is factory.

I wouldn’t blame you, but I’m glad I resisted the urge. Mine smoothed out on its own and swings perfectly. The lockbar is still a tad stiffer than I’d like, but not to the point it’s worth tinkering with.

If you do some lockbar tweaking, let us know how it goes.

 

[ribstabsheart]

Got my kapara for Christmas from my girlfriend, and originally was planning on returning it for the carbon fiber flipper that they announced back in November. After fondling it though, this is 100% of keeper. It's so slicey, and smooth, and elegant. My only complaint is that it's a little tough to close, and doesn't swing closed like my PM2.

 

[Mo2]

I wouldn’t blame you, but I’m glad I resisted the urge. Mine smoothed out on its own and swings perfectly. The lockbar is still a tad stiffer than I’d like, but not to the point it’s worth tinkering with.

If you do some lockbar tweaking, let us know how it goes.

Bent it out a bit and loosened the pivot.
Its better and I can actually actuate the compression lock now. But it's useless as a compression lock. I mean I hate it so much I dont want to use it and I like the knife otherwise. The action still sucks despite the slight modification, may break in with time. May not.

This compression lock everything has got to stop.

This knife would be perfect as a liner lock. With the compression lock it's basically junk. I love the blade.

 

[BD_01]

Bummer, that’s frustrating.
While my Kapara is fantastic, i’m dealing with an over-sprung knife from a different manufacturer right now. It’s particularly upsetting in a situation whre you’re otherwise madly in love with the knife.