Spyderco Kapara Final Diagnosis -- The True Essence of Spyderco

I cannot recommend this knife more strongly. Get one. It's basically a perfect tool.
Thanks to Alistair Philips for the info and friendship.

[@AlistairPhillipsFolders]

It is true.. I do love bacon.. maybe that is why I needed to add a bit more healthy eating to my diet :D Great final diagnosis. Hope you continue to carry and use it for a long time.

[@ViaMatt47]

Mr. Phillips, congratulations on such an outstanding design. I’m enthusiastically waiting for more to be released.

[@evshrug]

Woo who Alistair! ❤️ Totally different knife, I wonder how you would do a micro sized knife (like a Ladybug)

[@mm7963]

Mr Phillips, please get busy with more designs and collaborations with spyderco...

[@Gpknives]

100% Support your assessment (diagnosis) of this knife. There is nothing I don't like about the Kapara. I hope that it is offered in other iterations (G10, Micarta, LC200N, Cruwear, etc.).

[@BizzeB-nq1jb]

Will they ever be restocked??? Feel like I’ve been waiting forever

[@ssunfish]

I want it in blue silver twill, white paper micarta back spacer and S35VN with button compression lock!

[@maanerotte]

Hi Dr. Frunkey Thank you for a great channel. I took mine apart and took a little of the tension on the lock bar out. Now it drops free, and it closes perfectly every time. This has made the Kapara one of my favourite knives. Kind regards Thomas

[@AtilioEscobar]

Just bought one! Thanks for the great review Doc!

[@josecolon2165]

It is one of my favorites for sure. Well executed ergos and a very capable cutter. Make this in Cruwear or LC200N and you take it to another level.

[@christamu2]

The Kapara is great. I also appreciated Alistair's video showing a good way to add a sharpening notch.

[@strongdad2]

I agree 100 percent doc. Any spyderco I can’t spydie flick is out for me. Love the Kapara. My favorite knife of 2018!

[@82frankthetank]

I was lucky enough to have been gifted a Kapara. It's really impressed me. I used to have like 20 Spydercos and had gotten rid of all of them except my scale swapped ZDP Delica. I think I'm going to be getting rid of the Delica now.

[@DoctorFrunkey]

This can easily be the only knife you have.

[@mickkeim4142]

Kapara is one of my Spyderco favorites...probably thee favorite, and great review.

[@formationit5039]

I agree, this is easily one of my favorites. I got mine in the seconday market and the owner had added the designer's red backspacer and the Rip's Garage clip. These are two mods I would have done had I bought it new as I am the rare person who does not like the wire clip. Sorry I think it is a bit cheap for this amazing knife. So I got a great deal and could not be happier. I also love S30V and can't imagine why others don't. Great job on this knife Spyderco. Great review, Doc.

[@theknifenoob101]

I couldn't take it anymore. I pre-ordered it last night. Now the wait begins! Great vid!

[@shaunharrison9618]

From where? Knife Center? They are the only place I found that will let you. Everyone else just says out of stock. I an just going to wait it out. Good luck with yours.

[@theknifenoob101]

@@shaunharrison9618 Yeah, Knife Center. I got tired of checking constantly. I found one other place, but I've never heard of it before. Don't remember the place. Thanks, Shaun. Hopefully not too long. I have a 940-1701 on pre-order, also. Excited for both!

[@DoctorFrunkey]

You will not be disappointed

[@shaunharrison9618]

@@theknifenoob101 I was tempted to order the 940-1701 also. The red looks very nice on it. I just bought the 940-1 so I couldn't justify the money for basically the same knife. Good luck with yours. My centering was perfect but I see lots of complaints about the benchmade centering. I have 6 or so and all have been perfect so maybe I am just lucky. I just recieved my gold class bugout. #212. Very nice but it will be a safe queen. Lol

[@theknifenoob101]

@@shaunharrison9618 I have 3 other 940 models. The -2 is the only one that I'm having to work at to get drop shutty with no blade play. It's close, so I'm hoping it will break in a little bit over time. I'm carrying some other knives. I need to give it some fidget time. That GC Bugout looks sweet!

[@Tankman333]

in total agreement real nice piece thanks again doc

[@jolness1]

I am a couple years late but I love my Kapara, Alistair did a wonderful job with this design.

[@beefcurtainz69]

Thank you for letting us know the thickness of blade in thousandths of an inch! That is very helpful actually for me

[@stephan123321]

Great video,thank you! Keep up the good work. Peace Stephan

[@TangoGulf]

Literally just bought a Shaman and now I want this....right now

[@Mahoody]

Yup, just bought a Manix 2, and am not crazy about the detent. Love the knife, but it tears my fingers up if I'm playing with it...will most likely sell and go back to my Yojimbo... but eyeballing this pretty slicer....

[@jamesgurr7678]

I bought a Kapara about a month ago, and it's hard to express how pleased I am with it. It met all of the expectations I had and then exceeded them massively. At first I was a bit hesitant as to how it could be used in which roles (and how hard), but I'm a light to medium user and I don't have any qualms about using my PM2, and the more I used it the more it dawned on me that I preferred it to the PM2 in pretty much every way. It is now filling the day to day EDC role that I used to use the PM2 for. Sure, if I knew ahead of time that I had a fairly heavy duty knife for then I would pocket my PM2 as I believe it can probably take a bit more of a beating (and I may even be wrong about that!), but as for EDC the Kapara has kicked the PM2 out of my pocket- and I can't see that changing anytime soon. Keep fighting the good fight bro, Jim (from across the pond)

[@mikewhite255]

I currently own the base manix 2 and a para 2 in s110 v. I will have to get this next . It's beautiful 😍, I mean really really beautiful. I just love Spyderco knives .

[@bobsaffron8284]

Thanks for the review. I agree that the ergonomics are excellent. I find closing the blade tiresome and painful if done repeatedly.

[@amitzdullnicker2k]

Completely agree with your review. Thank you very much for it. I own around 30 different Spydercos. The Kapara is perfect. I carry one with me on a daily basis since it was released and LOVE it. I even bought a second one in fear that I could ever lose the first one and would have to exist without a Kapara in my life. 😂 I only have one wish for something that Spyderco could do one day: A Kapara in M390 or CPM-20cv. That would be great. No complaints concerning the S30V, but that would make it eternally good for me.

[@Bad_Rattle]

Yup, Perfect knife. I’ve got a backspacer coming from Alistair and a clip coming from Ripps garage tech so that it’ll be more like the custom. I do however wish Spyderco would use the same pivots from the Para series of knives for an improved action.

[@chowen9917]

Doc, can I ask you for a suggestion? I want to get a knife for my son and with your experience, maybe you can suggest a couple of good options. He is 21 and loves fishing, but he would want something he can EDC as well. I already got a paramilitary 2 (I did some surgery on it and added carbon fiber from Aramis with some titanium blue screws) for my other son who is in the Navy. Thank you in advance!

[@shaunharrison9618]

I have been looking everywhere to buy this knife for months. I can't find it anywhere. It is a unicorn. Lol

[@jimm244]

This is a contemporary classic Spyderco. It resides with my favorites. I’ve used mine for EDC and food prep and it performs very well. I’m very glad it uses PB washers; less worries for maintenance. Two minor nitpicks; you mentioned the lockbar release being a little stiff-I agree; could it be the cutout is a bit small? I also would like if it had mild jimping on the blade-portion of the finger choil, as much for tactile feedback as for traction.

[@DoctorFrunkey]

1) I believe the stiffness has to do with the bending of the lockbar rather than the size of the cutout. 2) the knife was designed to have no jimping, Alistair did not want food getting stuck into the jinping!

[@lisamckee8720]

@@DoctorFrunkey Yeah, I know he designed it specifically that way...a guy can wish though! ;-)

[@carlstanland5333]

You should start a band. “Dr. Frunkey and the Crispy Detents.”

[@DoctorFrunkey]

I love it

[@spyderg6509]

Great job I agree

[@isaacott3230]

Where can you get one? They're all sold out everywhere I've looked.

[@WillEDC]

With s30v I would need to really love the design or it has to be very unique. For lc200n, I would snag even basic designs. If this was designed for food they should go for that.

[@johnstuglik1381]

So which is better Spydie chef or kapara ?

[@FabeardulousKnucks]

If they’d have shouldered the stop pin and pivot, it would be perfect. As it stands, the action on mine is either great, with some blade play or stiff, without blade play.

[@wyattbreymeyer4033]

post spydie price hikes i just reccomend either a s30v mini grip or the sog terminus xr s35vn,

[@swampk9]

What more could you ask for? Availability

[@GettingthruLife]

I got one with my accrued $20 purchase discount at Knives ship free. 168.00 to soften the steep price point and no additional shipping or tax. Waiting for it to arrive.

[@kerryrwac]

It needs a pivot hole plug from Blades We love (if they don't make them , they should) . I tried it , liked it , just not enough to buy one .

[@DoctorFrunkey]

This is one that takes 2 weeks of carrying to fully appreciate.

[@kerryrwac]

@@DoctorFrunkey I can see that Doc.

[@MetalEffort]

I like the knife a lot, but the LC200N on the Spydiechef is the tie breaker for me.

[@ViaMatt47]

Spidiechef: grail knife.

[@dantem5228]

So could you say that the Kapara is like a Paraslimitary??

[@DoctorFrunkey]

Ok Nick Shabazz you can stop using an alter ego 😘😘

[@evshrug]

I see the ParaSimilarity.

[@mikecurry6847]

I wish I could get a kapara handle with the blade from a gayle bradley 2

[@blackadder1966]

This will be my next buy, but just bought an mkm flame, spyderco ikuchi and overpaid for a protech malibu from ebay.

[@jamesoncross7494]

Great k ice. I wish Spyderco would go to S35VN. It's a little tougher and I was very surprised to see in testing that Spyderco's S30V is not as good as we are all lead to believe. Very disappointing for the price point Spyderco is charging. It has turned me off on buying knives in general.

[@valebliz]

Personally i'm waiting for the Drunken hard. S90V and still a fine slicey blade.

[@hogi9929]

The handle on the Para 2 is nothing like the Kapara. The stock scales on the Para 2 are terrible, the Kapara by contrast is excellent. It's excellent, the only thing that keeps it from my pocket is the blade is large, and I'm afraid it'll scare people if I use it. Cuts like a dream. So beautiful I'm afraid to use it. 🙄

[@rcjd7834]

So, I am debating between a Sliverax and a Kapara. I use my EDC daily to slice veggies for my bearded dragon, and very often to clean support and blobs off my 3D prints. I am also a knife fidgeter. A lot. Which would fit better? I also carry my rigid wallet in my right front with my knife, so reaching past the knife is essential. Also, dang! Love the hardware and scales on the para 3 and pm2! Custom? What is that handle material?

[@rcjd7834]

W Jack I ended up grabbing a MKM Raut off BHQ inventory reduction sale. I got the CF front flipper variant, and it is an amazing piece for what I paid for it. $135 for a ti framelock with CF scales, M390, and ceramic bearings. Fit and finish is better than any Spyderco I’ve handled. I am still looking for a smock, I may trade for one at some point.

[@w.d.8381]

bought one just based on this carbon fiber description

[@peevy1086]

Only thing it's missing is a sharpening choil

[@jolness1]

Alistair has a video on adding one. Totally agreed though, even on a belt sharpener I hate sharpening stuff that meets the plunge grind. I mean on my para3 lightweight it stops about a millimeter before and so I have cut a sharpening choil in because I am not fixing the grind haha. I know some people have problems with it hanging up on stuff but I have never experienced that.

[@notme3686]

To each his own. I prefer not having a notch.

[@cyphersuit1]

Kapara or Drunken? I am unsure.

[@edwins2396]

IMHO handles need to be perhaps 4mm or 1/8 inch wider to make it absolutely perfect for ALL knife enthusiast. I have just tried/owned 4 Spydercos and based on ergonomics for my M size hands; this is how they ranked from best to worst: Sage 5 LW, Manix 2 LW, PM2, Kapara

[@linusx77]

Didn't work for me. I think it's a good knife but the ergos were a bit off. Not a must have imo and as with any knife it's ymmv . In spyderco I like the caly 3.5 better or GB1. Look to the Benchmade 940 for a great edc. I can't say there is anything earth shattering about this spydie and better choices out there. Mine had lock stick and was not the smoothest (may have smoothed out in time). I think Spyderco makes great knives and will respect others that love this knife.

[@kwill7761]

Those para’s 🤤🤤🤤

[@lanehoward4466]

👏👏👏👍😁

[@donmcron3334]

Why do you flick it with your middle finger?

[@727shane2]

Kapara mini !!!!

[@btek6894]

Superb knife let down by knife steel for its purpose. Spyderco is making great kitchen utility / edc knives for food in LCN200 yet decided not to use it in this, um, urpose built food prep knife???? The moment this is available in LCN200, its going into my pocket.

[@gmoney5947]

Just bought mine new off knife_swap from pinechaos for $175!

[@lakesidemfg3552]

Ill give you a robust tip

[@holdernewtshesrearin5471]

Spydercos do look like dead birds laying neck outstretched on the pavement. Lol. Para-military-2 = dead pelican Kapara = dead terradactyl Par-3 = dead puffin Gayle Bradley = dead toucan TUFF = dead shoebill stork Manix-2 = gives you 2 for one. A dead kookaburra blade and a dove head butt. Gotta love Spyderco. They look funny but they DO work!

[@jeffscalfano9837]

The para 2 is the best EDC knife if: you dont mind carrying around 5 1/2 inches of handle for 3 inches of cutting edge and have pant material that is impervious to, what is roughly comparable to, 250 grit sand paper. In conclusion, no.

[@jackamtg]

For my purposes, the Kapara is basically a PM2 killer for me. Unless I really am feeling like I want the S35VN in mine

[@TheScottyp1]

id buy it at 150

[@trueside0812]

Most gassed up review of 2019 lmao

[@DoctorFrunkey]

It happens

[@drameday]

I can’t get past the ugliness. I’m sure it’s a fine knife, but it’s just hideous to look at.

[@jeffhicks8428]

i can't do it. I don't buy the argument that these are "serious tools for serious men doing serious work." They're toys to collect dust in the drawers of man children. Lets be real. I'm no better, I have my own collection of toys collecting dust that is however free from any sco or benchmade items. My edc is a 0452 that I reground to a much more aggressive, thin bte, effectively "late convex" zero edge geometry, with the standard hand rubbed satin finish on the face of the blade and a high polish fading from the quite thin cutting edge. Generally I'd like a knife I don't have to work on to make worth a shit, but thats life. Considering the work I did, it's a fine knife. From the box, not so much. Also it's usually too expensive any way you want to cut it. Fair retail value for that knife would be like, $200 and tax. The main knife I've gifted is the kershaw leek, which I'd say is a very good every humans edc. Scos "look at my steel" gimmick and lack of industrial design gets on my nerves. They're also too expensive for what they are.