Spyderco Dress Knife - Chaparral Blue Stepped Titanium vs Native 5 Fluted Titanium

[45Wheelgun]

Gents - hoping to gather advice from the Spyderco experts here on BF.

Trying to make the decision on which of these knives will become my "Sunday go to meetin' " (dress) knife.

Some background on me and my taste in knives. I've been knife collecting for 35 years and have several hundred knives primarily focused on pre-WWII knives and military blades. Recently, I have been turn on to more modern knives and steels by a good friend who thought I need to broaden my horizons. My most recent 2016 knife acquisitions have been a scrimshawed and engraved Randall Bowles Skinner, a mid 70's stag handled drop point hunter made by Bob Loveless, a Spyderco Rubicon, ZT-0801BLK and ZT0450CF. Really enjoying these modern titanium/Carbon Fiber flippers a lot They have become my EDC knives with the Rubicon and 450CF seeing primary use, while the 801 has the best action of the group.

Very impressed with the design, fit and finish of the Rubicon and thought that one of these two Spyderco's would make a nice dress knife. I have several prewar vintage dress knives I am always concerned with losing/damaging. While I wouldn't be happy about it either of these knives would be replaceable.

Let me start by saying I have not seen or held either of these models, as my local knife sources do not have them in stock. My feeling is that these knives have more in common than differences and was hoping to get your input and thoughts.

I love the back lock on these knives. Am I correct in assuming they both use the same mechanical design for their locks? The great images here on BF would indicate that, but I wanted to be sure that one isn't better than the other.

I am a sucker for a Sunburst pattern and the Native 5 reminds me of the sunburst patterned guilloché dials on my favorite Swiss watches. The work and effort involved in the Chaparral is awe inspiring. 12 a day? I am surprised that got ok'd during the design meetings.

The blade shapes seem very similar (identical other than size?). Spyderco's website descriptions don't make that clear and online venders seem to just cut and paste. The jimping on the spine and choil seems similar if not identical and looks to be very effective. While the Native 5 is clearly larger, 15mm OAL difference isn't going to matter to me. The Native 5 being 50% heavier than the Chaparral on the other hand, raises an eyebrow. While I think I would prefer CTS XHP, I am certain that S35VN is way more steel than I will ever need (although I do open some pretty tough envelopes).

I have read/viewed several reviews that discuss the perimeter edges of the Native 5 as being "sharp", which I take to mean 90 degrees and similarly, several reviews indicate the edges of the Chaparral are radiused. For those that own or have handled these knives - is this an issue I should be concerned with? I want a dress knife with a luxurious feeling when handled.

While I would prefer to buy an American made knife, I am very happy with the Rubicon and would be satisfied with either manufacturing facility.

The cost difference is irrelevant to me as they are "close enough" and no, I won't "just buy them both".

Your thoughts on choosing between these to knives? Have I made mistakes or misassumptions in my thought process? Any strong feelings for or against either one?

I find it ironic I am enjoying Spyderco's higher end knives, as I was under the mistaken impression that Spydercos's were imported $35 knives with strange serrated blade shapes and plastic handles.

Great forum here, I have gotten quite an education just lurking around.

Dave

 

[RamZar]

Chaparral is a better slicer, overall slimmer, thinner, narrower, shorter and lighter EDC. The Stepped Titanium are a marvel of 3D titanium milling. Functional art!

However, they're $87 more than the Native5 Fluted Titanium. Also, I'd take the regular Stepped Titanium Chaparral over the Blue one because when I ordered my blue one the colors were uneven and faded in some corners so I sent it back. I still have both my Stepped Titanium Chaparral and Native5 Fluted Titanium.

While not as nice-looking as the Stepped Titanium, the Titanium Stealth Chaparral is a relatively good price at $195.

 

[Sharp Guy]

Man, tough choices!! I don't see how you could go wrong with either. I don't have either high-end version but I do have a Chap CF & Native 5 G10 & LW. Both are fine knives. Back locks work great on both (blade drops when lock bar is depressed). The Native 5 is supposed to have a refined lock and both my examples are great but I have no complaints with the Chap either. As far as sharp edges, I've seen complaints on both knives and the liners on mine are fairly sharp but not bad enough that I need to modify. I'm sure I could break the edges easy enough if I thought it was necessary. Not sure how all that relates to the titanium knives that you're considering though.

I think the quality is high on both and blade steel is a wash for me. So for me it pretty much comes down to size and appearance. I have a Chap and 3 Sages and I use them all for dress but I tend to carry the Chaparral more due to it's smaller size. So +1 for the Chap. As far as appearance, the stepped titanium certainly looks cool but it's almost a little much for my taste. To me the fluted titanium on the N5 is perfect. It looks nice but isn't overdone. Plus +1 for the Native 5.

I'm sure I wasn't much help here since I know I'd have a hard time deciding which one to buy. Good luck on your decision. Please let us know which one you decide to buy.

 

[thewoodpecker]

I would go Chaparral in Carbon Fiber or, to throw another lion into the ring, the Caly 3.5. Have you considered the Mantra at all?

 

[Surfingringo]

Both are excellent knives. Both are beautiful. For a dress knife though, I would have to go with the Chap. The Native is quite heavy for its size...a bit heavy for dress wear IMHO.

As mentioned above, the cf Chap should be considered too. I find it every bit as "elegant" as the ti model....just different.

 

[devine1]

I bought the blue stepped titanium Chap at BladeShow last year. I carry it 95% of the time (I work in a hospital). It is such an awesome slicer. My first love was the Native5 and I have several versions. I plan to continue buying more high-end Natives. In fact, the fluted Ti Native is the one knife I've considered to be grail status for a couple of years. I keep turning it down just to keep the desire present. They are both gorgeous knives and you couldn't go wrong with either; however, as Lance stated, the Native is relatively heavy. Have you considered the Vrango?

 

[handjam]

Of the two I have only handled and own the chaparral. The chap is very thin in profile and disappears in pocket. I can't think of a better dress knife. It's totally inconspicuous to both user and public when in a pocket and beautiful when out for use. It's a great slicer and handles zip ties, apples and Amazon boxes just fine and has a very precise tip that can be used like an exacto knife.

I like the look and feel of the stepped titanium version better than the CF version but either work well as office, dressy, suburban EDC where a larger knife might be too much. You won't regret purchasing a nice Chaparral.

 

[DocT]

The Chaparral is purpose built for a dress/gentleman's knife and it excels at this. I have heard that the blue fades, so I would get the same knife without the blue. The knife is a full four finger knife but is a lot smaller and slimmer that the Native 5 Ti and lighter in weight.

As to the locks, while they are essentially the same, I think the Chaparral lock is a bit different in that it incorporates a stop pin in an arced groove to control blade play and lock wear....at least that is what I remember.

Edit: found a picture.

 

[45Wheelgun]

Fantastic insight gentlemen, thanks for all your insightful input.

Chaparral is a better slicer, overall slimmer, thinner, narrower, shorter and lighter EDC. The Stepped Titanium are a marvel of 3D titanium milling. Functional art!

RamZar - that is a fantastic summation of the Chaparral. I had searched and read every thread I could find on this knife and had read about your issues with the blue version. I had hoped it was an isolated incident as I really like the blue version. It seems that this wasn't the case. After reading your response as well as others, I then did my research on that issue. I stopped by my local dealer yesterday and their experience with the blue version wasn't positive.

Based on feedback and suggestions from this thread I reviewed the Chaparral CF, Caly 3.5, Mantra.. They appear as excellent options for a dress knife, if I were going for a black CF knife. My ZT-0450CF at 1.4oz fits that niche rather well, and I was thinking Chaparral as an opportunity to carry as RamZar so eloquently stated "Functional Art".

As to the locks, while they are essentially the same, I think the Chaparral lock is a bit different in that it incorporates a stop pin in an arced groove to control blade play and lock wear....at least that is what I remember.

Thanks DocT - should I read this as Spyderco improving the lock over the lock in the Native 5?

I guess I won't know until I actually pull the trigger, but it seems that the Chaparral Stepped Titanium (not blue) is the direction I will go. I will update this thread when the knife arrives.

Thanks to all who offered opinions I appreciate you taking the time to help.

Dave