Spyderco Chinook 3 Or Persian 2:which?

MTHall720

MTHall720

Joined
Sep 21, 2010
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I really like the upswept blade look. Have been reading reviews, and the usual YouTube clips on both. Also love the bowie blade on Emerson CQC but Spydie is easier on the budget.
Anyone here handled both of these? I am assuming they are both lockbacks. One review said the red grip Persian had some characteristics of both a dress knife as well as a practical side. Sounds to me like the Chinook is less fancy looking, with both being fairly strong blades.

Any thoughts?

If you had to choose, which would you go with, and why? In this case, weight doesn't matter to me.
 
I had a Chinook 3. I'm very Sorry I sold it. It is built very heavy duty. Ive

read that the lock on the Chinook 3 is the strongest lock of any Spydie

they produced when its was stiil avaliable. I saw pics of the lock on the

Spyderco.com forum....massive looking lock.

Its not light at 5.8 oz. thou. All and all a Great knife...if you can find 1. :D

Edit: I got a Chinook 3 about 2 weeks ago in very good condition. The person I sold my Chinook is looking for the Chinook I sold him. When and if he finds it I'll have 2!
 
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I have the Chinook and the original Spyderco Persian which came with a black handle and a bolster [ I assume it's exactly the same as the new red handle Persian except for the color] I agree that the Chinook is the heavier duty knife and from an SD point of view ,would be the better choice. In fact the Chinook is my favourite Spyderco folder, although if Spyderco ever releases it's promised Szabo folder, the Chinook will fall to second place. One of these days I'm also going to get the Police 3 with it's 4 3/8" blade, which I prefer to my Military [ I just can't really warm up to tip down folders]
 
Larry Turko said:
I have the Chinook and the original Spyderco Persian which came with a black handle and a bolster [ I assume it's exactly the same as the new red handle Persian except for the color]
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I think he means the g10 version. I weighed it the other day along with the bolstered version, think its an ounce less (new one 4, old 5, 20% less = :)), feels like more though. I personally love the Persian 2 and look to buy the smaller version as soon as I come across the right deal. Out of the box, my Persian 2 was one of the sharpest knives I have ever owned. Solid lock, great slicer (much improved over original version which I loved), a bit more slender, its a true win in my book. Ive had the first 2 chinooks, and though I really liked them, they were just a bit too heft for me to tote around on an rb.
 
The ChinookIII is a beast!! You could knock someone out cold with it in the closed position. The lock up us like a bank vault perfect for when your in a bad situation. The persian is more of a gentlemans knife still very capable, but not nearly as tough.
 
Gratuitous pic.

chinookbandana3.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
 
MTHall720 said:
One review said the red grip Persian had some characteristics of both a dress knife as well as a practical side. Sounds to me like the Chinook is less fancy looking, with both being fairly strong blades.
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First of all, I would like to avoid confusion and clarify. Red Persian is not Persian2. Red Persian is a sprint run of original C83 model with the only difference of handle material and color: black micarta on original vs red polished G10 on sprint. Blade has the same hollow grind.
Persian2 had black peel-ply G10 handle and FFG grind, no bolsters.
All knives mentioned above are quite different. Chinnok3 was designed for self-defense, blade and lock stronger than on Persian, but heavier and bulkier in the pocket. In my opinion Persian suit better EDC function than Chinook. Also in my opinion Red Persian due to blade grind, bolsters and polished G10 look better than Persian2, but quite a few people love Persian 2 so this is subjective.
I EDC original Persian for the last five years and very happy with this knife.

Persian-1.jpg
 
i would take the persian because i like the metal part at the top of the handle and it looks more sturdy to me but its your call take whichever one you want i bet they're both nice.
 
bobbysuepoo said:
i would take the persian because i like the metal part at the top of the handle and it looks more sturdy to me but its your call take whichever one you want i bet they're both nice.
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You'd make that assumption based on looks? Have you handled either one?
 
bobbysuepoo said:
i would take the persian because i like the metal part at the top of the handle and it looks more sturdy to me but its your call take whichever one you want i bet they're both nice.

It might be better to talk about knives you Know Something About rather than what looks best to you.
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And I think it might be a good idea for you to learn how to properly use the quote button :rolleyes:
 
Gentlemen, play nice. Explain how to quote, don't criticize a new guy. :p

Anyway, I don't know about the Persian, it's not as comfortable in my hand. Chinook 3 is one of my regular carry knives, especially in heavier winter clothes. Like the Military, it handles well with gloves, too.
 
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