Spyderco's
Chaparral project is a unique approach to the gentlemen's folding knife
genre. Named after a plant native to the Western U.S. that is known for
its extreme resilience, the Chaparral series uses a single design
format to showcase a variety of distinctive handle materials and texture
patterns.
All Chaparral models share the same core features.
They are exceptionally thin to minimize their weight and make them very
convenient to carry—even when wearing a suit. Their leaf-shaped
PlainEdge blades are full-flat ground from American-made CTS-XHP
stainless steel and handsomely satin finished for near-effortless
cutting performance. The blades also include a fully accessible
Trademark Round Hole for easy one or two-handed opening that, together
with a sturdy lockback mechanism and reversible wire clip make all
Chaparrals completely symmetrical and their operation fully
ambidextrous.
Where Chaparral models show their individuality is
in their handles. The first member of the family, released in 2011,
featured skeletonized full stainless steel liners and subtly textured
carbon fiber scales. It was followed in 2012 by the Chaparral Titanium,
which boasted solid titanium scales precision machined with an intricate
geometric pattern. Continuing the titanium theme were the Stepped
Titanium and Blue Stepped Titanium models, released in 2013 and 2014,
respectively. Both feature an incredibly detailed "stepped" pattern
machined into both scales. Composed entirely of straight lines, this
amazing design creates the illusion of curves and detailed geometric
shapes. In the Blue Stepped version, the scales are anodized a brilliant
shade of blue partway through the machining process to create a
spectacular contrast of alternating blue and silver surfaces. Earlier
this year, Spyderco rounded out the Chaparral family with a version
featuring scales made from Raffir—a composite material made with fine
layers of crinkled metal mesh encapsulated in a translucent epoxy resin.
Although
Spyderco is admittedly proud of the Chaparral family and the variety
and pride of ownership it offers, they still felt there was something
missing—a lightweight, affordable, user-oriented expression of the
Chaparral spirit optimized for everyday carry. To fill that void, they
created the Chaparral Lightweight.
The Chaparral Lightweight
offers the same refined design theme, functionality, and cutting
performance as its brothers, but with a simple, reliable and affordable
injection-molded handle. Its tough gray fiberglass-reinforced-nylon
(FRN) handle reduces its weight to a scant 2.1 ounces—22% lighter than
its titanium-handled counterparts. At the same time, its molded
construction allows it to incorporate a style of Spyderco's
high-traction Bi-Directional Texturing pattern. Despite its slim profile
and light weight, this version of the Chaparral still offers the
strength of nested, skeletonized stainless steel liners and a stainless
steel backspacer. They ensure excellent structural strength and the
precise alignment of all key components.
Like the other versions
of the Chaparral, the Lightweight has a mid-positioned lockback
mechanism that locks the blade securely open and allows for safe, easy
one-handed closing. Its 50/50 index-finger choil straddles the juncture
of the blade and handle to provide a solid purchase for a forward,
"choked-up" grip. Despite the knife's compact size, this feature allows
even larger hands a full, four fingered grip. Matching "jimping"
(grooves) on the choil and thumb ramp offer additional texture for even
greater control during precise cutting tasks. A reversible deep-pocket
wire clip attached to the butt end of the handle supports left or
right-side tip-up carry and keeps this remarkable knife discreetly
poised for instant access.
The Chaparral Lightweight proudly
upholds the traditional values of the Chaparral family, offering the
same convenience, reliability, and high-performance as its brothers, but
at a fraction of the price.