Comparing the Spyderco Delica and FRN Chaparral Pocketknives

[@mail2ted]

For me the Chaparral is a slam dunk, I have the cf version, awesome knife.

[@cmtighe13]

I’ll also give the edge to Chaparral over Delica in the gap free flow of blade tang to scale when in closed position (visible at 5:33). Its a small design detail, but its one of the reasons I let my Pakawood Endura go.

[@FancyPrimate]

Christopher Tighe - I agree! Small things like that drive me nuts. Looks cheap/ junky. I don't mind Using the delica but I do think it looks like crap closed.

[@stoneblue1795]

Exactly!!!!!! I thought I was the only person that even realized it. It's what makes the Delica look like a gas station knock off of a better Spyderco. Why does that "area" or gap not have a name yet? How about we call it the Moyle.

[@Bearded_Tattooed_Guy]

Got a Spyderco Rescue 3 the other week, to keep in my car. The blade is serrated all the way, so not useful for much else than the intended emergency cutting. But the FRN grip though..! (Same as the Delica) It is simply awesome; Spyderco really know what they're doing. Bring on the vaseline factory!

[@wtinnen]

I think the Delica in zdp189 for $89 is a much closer comparison

[@TheGamerGuy1981]

So true, VG10 isn't a bad steel, but it doesn't come close to CTS XHP or ZDP. That said the ZDP is hard to find now and has seen a price increase.

[@newhuskytwenty]

@@TheGamerGuy1981 I have the ZDP-189 and CPM-S90V Delicas but everybody can buy now the wonderful K390 version, not so stainless as VG-10 but with a huge difference in edge retention.

[@donnymac575]

Got them both. Problem of deciding is solved.

[@VincenzoNero94]

Vg10 will get sharper then xhp due to the finer grained structure. It will also be more responsive to strops. Vg10 and us8 want to be sharp, and it’s like they help you along in the process.

[@coryzepp238]

During a KZbin Binge watch I saw a video (not sure who) where the guy reassembled all of the delica except the lock bar. At the end he slid the lockbar in the its spot and held it down with one hand, then lined up and inserted the screw and tightened. Seemed a much easier method.

[@erihor86]

not sure if anyone has mentioned this, or you might know this anyway but i used to think the delica was a pain to re assemble but i found that if you reassemble the knife leaving the back lock bar out as well as the lockbar pin and then just set the lockbar onto the blade and squeeze the back of it down to mate the handle pin hole to the lockbar hole and lastly push the pin through it's not that bad. there are people who could have explained that better than me. and it's still isnt amazing but with practice it's became pretty easy

[@adamelam6385]

Had the carbon fiber chap ages ago. Great little carry knife. After thousands on knives I came back around to my first Spyderco, the Delica. A plain Jane Delica with a great steel like Cruwear or Hap is what I prefer. I can go back to FRN after trying premium covers but I can't go back to VG-10 after trying better steels.

[@louismeluso8633]

I have the Delica 4 and the original Chaparrel in Carbon fiber. Handle material aside, there is really no comparison. The Chap wins on all counts in my book. The big deal? Front finger choil on the Chap.

[@stoneblue1795]

Well stated. Nice to have it from a guy whom owns both.

[@georgemorley1029]

I’d have to hold a chapparal to see if I preferred it over the delica 4. I have a para 3 lightweight and although I like that knife, I still prefer the delica 4, because the para 3 choil grip feels uncomfortably bulky to me. I have knives with integral choils like the ukpk, and they work well. Looking at the chapparal, it looks like it’s choil grip is not an option. Plus the whole clip and tail section and lock look off to me. Maybe if change my tune if I could just pick one up? Maybe I’d better do that.

[@mehdikotbi3089]

Le chaparral est trop petit

[@brucemcintyre2383]

This is what you talked about when you made the video on the price hikes. Well done. Plus, at $77, my S30V Wharncliffe Delica seems like money well spent back in December.

[@chaseperkins5487]

Nick, everything you said, with the exclusion of the lock bar was favoring the chaparral. I think the chaparral dominates the Delica in all categories!

[@mastermachetier5594]

The chap would be a great comparison for the native 5

[@andyrichardson6188]

Much bigger difference between the Native 5 and Chap vs. Delica and Chap. Saying this as a person who carries all of them.

[@mastermachetier5594]

Andy Richardson I’d be curious to see pics I have the native and the Delica and they seem pretty comparable

[@andyrichardson6188]

This bladeforums.com discussion has good pic about 1/2 way down on P5. www.bladeforums.com/threads/help-with-with-spyderco.1511740/page-5#post-17741950 Having both I can say the Native carries much larger for me. Not terrible, but doesn't disappear like the Chaparral.

[@kieranconlon3254]

Nah the chap was originally a gent knife and the native is “hard use” designed to just be a small manix

[@baseballnutt24]

@@kieranconlon3254 pretty sure the native came way before the manix?

[@thestig007]

Delica has no business being over $50

[@-a13x-75]

TheStig ZeroZeroZero I have one and I absolutely love it but I fully agree with you here. If had g10 or aluminum handles yes it could be over $75 but for FRN no.

[@TheGamerGuy1981]

The FRN is fine, many more costly knives use it that's a subjective preference. But the steel... VG10 is not worth the asking price. It's long long overdue for a steel upgrade for the price.

[@ryankilduff8694]

It’s worth $100 every day of the week

[@AlanMarcaski-hw5mu]

I got mine for 55 and I am still very much underwhelmed. It is solid, but I have cheaper knives that are just as solid but more interesting.

[@ivanbader5492]

The Chaparral really is an excellent small knife. I have the FRN version and love it. I've also just purchased the carbon fibre version as a gift for my son. Really good small knives for every day tasks. The ergonomics are such that you forget that you have it on you and the fit and finish is first rate.

[@perrytrucker]

Excellent comparison video👍👊⭐️ Taichung spydies are superior

[@hiboucanne5662]

chaparral ftw

[@lvbuckeye]

In 2022 Amazon prices, the Delica 4 in blue is ~$84. (It was $86 pretty recently.) The Chaparral FRN is ~$110. Crazy. I bought my blue FFG D4 for $56 back in 2014. It's STILL my go-to EDC, because I can get that Seki City VG10 to hair splitting sharp SO EASY, and that FFG cuts boxes like unzipping a zipper. Maybe it's the bevel angle? Idk. It's the best box cutter I own, and I have a LOT of midrange knives. The new Chap arrives tomorrow. I've been looking for an upscaled DF2 for freaking ever, and the discontinued Caly 3 was what I always gravitated towards. But it was discontinued, and carries a hefty premium on the secondary market. Idk what took me so long to discover the Chap. It's what I've been looking for all along.

[@ccooper8040]

Great comparative video Nick. Sal & Eric I know you are watching - DELICA 5! With new blade steel, wire clip, no finger choil and affordable.

[@Omniseed]

The Para3 is a sweet Delica/PM2 cross

[@newhuskytwenty]

You won't see any Delica 5, the Paramilitary 3 replaces it.

[@PerfectChaos1212]

You can't get rid of the ricasso by the handle allows you to close the knife one-handed

[@Wooster77]

I own about a dozen Spydercos, but these are the two I would never give up. Chaparral (mine is cf) for weekdays, Delica on weekends.

[@DanielSilva-uj5pq]

Love your reviews, and I agree with many of your review points. But for me, pushing the blade release on the Chaparral is easy, and I don't possess any great hand strength. I have bought a number of knives based on your reviews and have not yet been disappointed.

[@rodrigoteresa7944]

I don't NEED a Delica but I feel like I need to try one out just cos of the notoriety. I almost bought a Zome version in a Cabela's but ended up going with a Mini Grip for the same price.

[@michaelniel7523]

Rodrigo Teresa everybody goes nuts over them. No appeal to me. Shit. Now I want one. Fml

[@peterpuleo2904]

I have a Delica 4 in mint condition I can trade for something else. Send me your email.

[@PatrisDev]

Great comparison! Love the new Chaparral, but personally the Delica has a huge advantage - I already have it. Selling the Delica for a new Chaparral makes no sense, especially in a European market, where all knife prices are jacked up. Maybe I'll see a trade offer on the forums one day...

[@curve5746]

I bought the Chaparral 4 and I no longer EDC any other knife. Damn thing is just that good and I'm a benchmade guy

[@dwainsw4076]

You are a hoot. Don’t change. It adds to the videos.

[@toddstamos89]

Given the marginal price difference, the Chaparral was the easy choice for me. Aside from the $20 price difference, the Chaparral is superior in every way, other than the dimple the back lock puts into the thumb. However, for edc use, I never really notice it. I don’t fidget with either folder. If I wanna fidget, I carry something with a compression lock.

[@bryanstone654]

I still vote for the Dragonfly 2. I live in an area with 2.5 inch blade length limit. On those occasions where I'm able to carry something with a bigger blade my Esee Zancudo gets the call. Yes I know Nick prefers the Rat 2 in D2 steel and for the sake of discussion, why not consider the Rat 2 D2 as a less expensive but still high quality alternative to either of these knives?

[@CopperMurdoch]

Nick, have you ever tried seating the backlock spring slightly forward during reassembly? Between that and making sure you only tighten the backlock bar's pivot as much as needed (is that on thing on the FRN version?), you can minimize Chaparral thumb. Still definitely an issue though... even after smoothing out the edges. This also enables me to run the pivot loose enough that the blade can be "coerced" into falling with the finger choil stopping on my index finger without any blade play. This is how I've been running and carrying my CF Chaparral for about two years now.

[@andyrichardson6188]

Moving the spring forward a little works well. I've done this on two Chaparrals and can't see any downside to it. It pretty much eliminates the thumb denting issue. I think Nick would argue that this should not be necessary.

[@BB-kd8bs]

I may have to pick one of these up! Thanks for the video. Really love it.

[@L3001USPSA]

I love the references to the "vaseline factory".

[@tfwoodcraft]

Would a tastefully designed, 3D printed lockbar "pad" sort of thing help out the issue with digging into your thumb when closing?

[@lorenzobruscagli1647]

Great video! Let’s face it: chaparral FRN is a delica killer

[@michelangelo644]

Nick I've had a question bouncing around my brain for a few years and I'd love your reaction to it. We as knife owners make such a big deal out of steel choices - and though I certainly do trust most major knife manufacturers - what guarantee do we have that a knife is actually the steel a company claims? I trust manufacturers such as spyderco and Benchmade(I think), and certainly have companies I am more suspect of, but how do we know? Is there ANY way to actually test that that's not obscenely complicated? Especially given the different reaction steels have to heat treat, I'd imagine it'd be pretty easy for a trusted company to to hoodwink the consumer. Oh yeah that's... S35VN! They just run their heat treat a little different! Or they overheated their edge during sharpening! When in reality its 440C or something. It also begs the question of how much of steel choice is placebo to the average end user. I'd love to see a run of Delicas in different unlabeled steels and let an expert try to figure out which is which. I'd imagine it'd be tougher than we think. Maybe professional sharpeners could give it a good run, but it'd be interesting to give someone a knife and label it m390 when it's really 440C and watch them raveee about the performance of the supersteel. Anyway - no reason this comment is left on this video. Just wanted to float my musings like the jackass I am.

Not a metallurgist, but I'd wager that blade steel doesn't matter too much to the typical end-user. Once you go past 420, 440, the MoV's, anything just labeled "stainless", etc. They all tend to be crappy and dull quickly. I have a few XHP, s30v, s35vn, and m390 knives and I can't see a difference during actual use, TBH. D2 is a favorite of mine. It's noticeably more durable than the cheaper steels, and inexpensive itself. So, unless you live/work in a really wet, humid place the rusting isn't an issue. I do trust companies to not lie about their steel, though. In fact, it angers me that pocket knives are usually labeled and kitchen knives are not labeled. If I buy a $100 chef's knife, I don't know what it's made of. Every $100 pocketknife is labeled. That said, I have read many times that heat treats and grinds are MORE important than the steel itself...So...Yeah. Steel snobbery is totally a thing, and probably a placebo-effect as well.

[@troypierce3967]

i have a heck of a time sharpening the s30v. don't have a knife with any other hard steel for comparison. how does the D2 compare in ease of sharpening?

[@troypierce3967]

good friend to have..... definitely easier to keep them sharp than to actually sharpen them. thanks for the info.

[@cocabandi3196]

I truly belief this never ending quest for super steels is strictly a marketing ploy. I mean, have the tasks that the common Joe requires of his folding knife changed any? Don't think so. So why the need for ridiculously strong steels that the average person is going to have one hell of a time sharpening? It's crazy.

[@rusterkat1188]

IDK... one knife that started me buying knives was the Kershaw Cryo. Loved the knife, hated the steel. Literally had to sharpen it every one or two days. It's super easy to sharpen 8CrMoV13, but I actually refuse to carry the Cryo anymore because I started to get very frustrated with the lack of edge holding ability. I think steel quality really does matter, especially in a small EDC that is going to have less edge taking more wear and tear, and is going to be used on synthetic/manufactured materials. I'm 'okay' with lesser steels in bigger fixed blades that are used on natural materials like food, wood, etc.

[@manifestgtr]

The chaparral is a working knife, through and through. It’s not a knife you sit there and fidget with endlessly. Opening and closing it with that thin lock bar isn’t a big deal at all. Opening and closing it 30 times in a row because you’re bored…that’s when it gets a bit dicey. If you have work to do and you want a knife with undeniable geometry and solid ergonomics, the chaparral is phenomenal. If you want a knife to flick around and fiddle with, you probably want a compression lock knife anyway…let’s be honest.

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Nice review..... but i just saw a review for a lumablade merc... man oh man that was a hot blade.. hope you have a great Saturday..

[@SliceyDicey]

The Chap is great. I wound up selling mine because I got it pre-increase and got an offer that I couldn't refuse but I'm sure I'll miss it. The Lil Native is my favorite small blade that I own.

[@PS987654321PS]

Congrats on making $5.00

[@HarvestOutdoors]

Very surprised how tight your back lock is on the chapparal. The blade on mine free drops when I depress it slightly. It did this right out of the box. It is, without a doubt, the smoothest backlock Spyderco I have ever had.

[@johnalessi6004]

Native 5 lightweight s110v or Chaparral noble in CTS XHP...?????

[@Joemama-xc2mn]

What are your thoughts now as the delica stands at $84 and the chaparral is still $94

[@allonmessenberg3129]

I lost my beloved Delica this week. So sad...

[@brianfollett687]

R.I.P. - CTS-XHP from Cold Steel . CS is "downgrading" to S35VN in their knives . Its a Sad day in the knife community.

[@NickShabazz]

Downgrading? I think that's an upgrade.

[@brianfollett687]

Nick Shabazz Nick , you think s35vn is a better steel than XHP ? I disagree, I have plenty of blades in both steels and I think the XHP is a much better steel ,especially in edge retention . The s35vn has better rust resistance and that may be why CS is switching , because I think they want to start taking the DLC coating off of their knives . I personally can't wait to get a satin bladed Recon 1 spear point. Right now, the s35vn must cost less and is more accessible, considering the whole world uses it right now. And now you can add CS to that list .

[@RussianVitamines]

agree, I'll take hollow grind over saber any time, plus cold steel was notorious with uneven grinds and pain in the ass to reprofile... so you basically will get hatchet edge cos cpm's are garbage in terms of chipping... and you can find a bunch about zt's s35vn heat threatment issues... I don't trust this steel...

[@mooseclappin11]

Sorry Nick, but Brian is right. You'd be surprised by just how much better XHP's edge retention is than S35VN.

[@justinpatrickhoffman]

That all depends on the application of the knife. I can understand why Cold Steel would market a “hard use” knife with s35vn. But both steels have their merits. I enjoy both.

[@PracticalPrimate]

Never noticed the clip hot spot on my chaparral but did break the wire clip within a week (just like the last wire clip).

[@djmay5588]

Would tape make the lock softer?

[@erhock92]

If you had to pick just one of them, which would you opt for?

[@normanhodge5573]

My heart bleeds for your sore thumb, Nick, from pressing that terrible back lock on the Chaparral. I have the Chaparral, the Delica and the Native 5, and the Chaparral is way better. If it was made by Benchmade , it would be around $200.00. Love your commentaries, Nick. Keep them coming!

[@listenup455]

The Native 5 LW belongs in this comparison too!

[@MrSATism]

Oh man, I would have compared the delicate to the native due to the price increase and what not, never would have expected this comparison to happen

[@evias9943]

how thick is the balde of the Chapparal compared to a Ukpk?

[@Oldcoinsandstuff1]

I have both . Love them both !

[@lanceruss5572]

Hey Nick! For EDC would you go with Chaparral FRN or Native 5 LW with S35vn?

[@jcolehatcher]

Which one is better carbon fiber or frn?!

[@randomcommentor-l1e]

Can anyone tell me how the Chapparal's back lock bar compares to the Cold Steel Tuff Lite's tri-ad lock in terms of thumb killing disengagement discomfort? I'm thinking about adding the frn chap to my edc rotation but the thin lock bar might be a deal-breaker… And then there's the price here in Europe, which is closer to 140 bucks but that's a different story…

[@curve5746]

It isn't bad and you won't regret getting it

[@stoneblue1795]

The annoying GAP at the back of the (closed) blade position of the Delica annoys me. WHY is it that they were able to close up that sharp void or gap on their cheaper models... but they expect us to settle for it on the dang Delica? It's notable only when the blade is closed.

[@ncsEsper]

Chap lockbar is a PAIN. I sent it to Spyderco for adjustment. When it was returned...no difference. It’s NOT a QC issue. It’s a design flaw.

[@jskrawz4611]

Wish you would have thrown in the Native 5 FRN too...

[@chs53021]

awesome comparison, great video

[@andieluke1366]

"...or if you work at a Vaseline factory." 😂 That was pure gold. As usual, great review, Nick! Been binge watching your Spyderco reviews since I came across your channel looking for Dragonfly/Delica comparisons. Appreciate the work that you do.

[@stoneblue1795]

Some great material there for a sticker or tee shirt for Nick.

[@DJHamburgla]

I've been waiting for this video. Thanks!!

[@prestonscott5367]

Hey, you were saying that you liked the modern traditional folders, but you love yourself a pocket clip. And you really want it to have some sort of lock. You just described the benchmade simmit lake series knives. There’s a big summit lake, and a small summit lake. Take a look at those. Sincerely, that crazy EnZo Birk 75 guy.

[@Oshianis]

I can buy a chaparral in CTS-XHP for 125.25$ Or for 132$ i can buy a Delica in k390 I think the delica offers a better deal. Sure the chaparral's blade edge is marginally thinner but the Delica's edge is basically thinner than all of spyderco's other offers except the Chaparral and the dragonfly2 and the uk pen knife and the cat. The delica is still a great slicer and one of the best in spyderco's line up. Pair with k390 and its edge retention. Delica also offers color options and i can get vg-10 for sub 100$. I can also grab in sv30 for about 150$. Sure the chaparral may have some advantages but doesnt offer as much in the way of variety. And Seki City offers the best heat treatments. This is my 2 cents, With that being said i will end up buying the Chaparral as well 😂simply because i dont have the leaf shaped blade in my collection, and the Chaparral's edge is more than marginally thinner than spyderco's other leaf shape offerings - native 5, lil native, sage 5 etc. So yeah, the Chaparral is still a must hace

[@thespasam5487]

Checked prices for 2020, delica is $86 now and chaparral is $95

[@Pew7070]

That’s why both make sense to me in their respective fancy/limited runs: Delica in HAP40 and Chaparral in Raffir Noble. Both gems.

[@Count3328]

Chapparal just got ordered off Amazon for $85.97!

[@michaelniel7523]

gvimhoof me too. Just got mine. I love it.

[@curve5746]

I have the Chap 2 in titanium. It has an even thinner profile than the CF. To me it made it worth the 200 dollar price tag. It is in all fairness, my favorite knife I have ever owned and I am a Benchmade guy.

[@MikeMcCormick1325]

Great review, man. Thanks!

[@Kyle_Sentz]

It kind of looks like a smaller back lock version of the manix 2

[@Oldcoinsandstuff1]

Why is Spyderco making their para3 with a 3mm thick blade? The Chapparal has a thin blade but I don’t want a lock back! Damn it

[@bobcorn69]

Where I live the two are literally the same price xD

[@floyd2386]

The Native 5 lightweight should have been in this comparison too.

[@brianfollett687]

What ? Price increase ? The VG10 Delica hasn't been a good deal in 10 yrs

[@graysenwinters3027]

"Even in moist conditions" - Nick Shabazz

[@toddstamos89]

I don’t care for FRN, but if I did, in this class and price range, the Chaparral makes the Delica a non-option in my opinion.

[@shamitoson]

IMO the chaparral gets the easy win.

[@jeffsmith50001]

If I was a cynic I might say the Delica price hike was to sell more Chaparrals. But Im not, so I wont.

[@syafiq271]

the frn design on the chaparral triggered my trypophobia.

[@T.R.A.N.C.E]

They should make the chaparral in ZDP 189, not a fan of CTS-XHP.. too brittle.

[@michaelniel7523]

Just bought one of these (chap) after I fucked up my tenacious that I had to sharpen after two days. This knife is amazing. Worth the 85 I paid. Btw, do not waste your time on cheaper Spyderco Knives. Get the better steel. Or just don’t try to sharpen a knife when u don’t know what the fuck ur doing.

[@Oldcoinsandstuff1]

Why am I watching this for the 20th time ?? I need help!!!

[@Oldcoinsandstuff1]

Every spyderco should have a wire clip

[@AventurineShadowlane]

how can anyone carry a delica with that embarassing kids toy spiderman webbing handle pattern

[@troypierce3967]

i used to feel the same way. still not "proud" of how it looks, but after buying a delica just to see what all the hoopla was about, i must admit now I'm a fan. a very good knife. overpriced, then and esp. now, but still its my main carry knife.

[@mriphone1000]

That Chaparral is putting up a great fight, but the Delica is still undefeated in my opinion.

[@MrRPM110]

Based on looks alone the delica Is so overpriced it's obsolete

[@alexh.4068]

Sadly Taiwan will never be, at least in the near future, recognized by the general public as higher quality vs Japanese manufacturing.. despite the quality of the Chapparal for example, world leading semiconductors, as well as leading bike component manufacture. The general public clumps Taiwan in with "made in China" type quality when it is instead much like "made in USA" and "made in Japan".

[@Fuzz1994tps]

I like the delica more

[@gorantenja]

For me the Chaparral looks like a baby Sage. I really like it.

[@andyrichardson6188]

I have the same thought. Sage 5 is my EDC larger carry, Chaparral is my smaller EDC. These two cover a lot of territory for me. These two plus a true hard use knife and I could probably be done.

[@Omniseed]

'flashing'

[@sputumtube]

For even more money there's also the Delica in ZDP189 of course......just sayin'..

[@coleyeaux]

The zdp delica wins though. I got one for $88 (new)

[@Paa375]

Sharpen a knife more often 🤮 k390 here I come

[@porkfat8109]

Way too expensive.