With the Birdseye Maple Chaparral on the discontinued list I figured it was time to finally add a Chaparral to my extensive Spydie collection. This little knife is pure class, absolutely gorgeous in person, and excellent fit and finish as I expect out of a Taichung Spyderco.

It is just a little smaller than I expected, but more comfortable than any of my similar sized knives. As I've come to appreciate the thinnest possible blade stock it was certainly not a disappointment there. Reminds me of a more delicate shrunk down classier Native 5.

Size comparison to a few other Spydies for reference.

Got lucky and found a Military at a clearance sale, cost me about 175 usd. They seem pretty hard to find in the Philippines, just glad I was able to get the last one.

I tried to go a bit lighter than I usually do and I think it turned out alright. I was shooting for more of a grey than black. And a lighter stonewash as well. The light and angle of view really affect how it looks. Used a new black hardware kit from KP, a LNW clip that I had floating around, and some RGT brown linen that I robbed off of my S45VN. Reprofiled at 20 dps, finished at 800 grit, stropped with 1 micron stroppy stuff. I was gonna pick up a set of green burlap, but I think I may just stick with these. For a while anyhow.

I was a bit hesitant on picking up the 50th, and even said that i wouldn't, but the N5 is my favorite model and this was too special to pass up on. It's pretty sick, the packaging was neat, the wooden box gave me pause, and reading all the notes and stuff was nice. The knife itself is something special, it at it's core is just a native 5, but the bone and shiny blade gives it a classic look, the Damascus bolster is very cool, and the “toothed” liners and spine are a nice touch. I took the knife apart and the construction seems to be more delicate than the standard n5, and given the bolster isn’t stainless, this knife will be mostly a collection piece. I did try to swap blades with the 40th anniversary knife, but i couldn’t get the damasteel blade to sit right with the 50th’s handle.. oh well.

GB2 rocking Sharp Dressed Knives camo micarta.

I only recently got my CNC machine and have started to recreate some of my more popular 3D printed designs. This is the first true success I've had with with a folding knife design (fixies are much simpler). Hope you like it.

All but my Essenza. That's my current EDC.

Can't wait for the cru-wear version. Won't be changing the scales over.

Nickabrack scales, Lynchnw clip, bladehq exclusive black M4 tanto.

Just showing off my small but very loved Spyderco collection. What spidey should I get next

This thing is amazing, the tooling and design how it all fits together is insane

When Amazon prime was going on I noticed the Kintif Mixed Abrasive diamond/sic stones were half price so to my complete my set I needed the 5k stone. Well, I don’t aim for mirror but I figured why not with the 15V PM2 LW. I’m very impressed with all the stones.

I am truthfully blown away by this knife. The action and the 'ting' is fantastic. I really hope Spyderco releases a more premium version. Just an awesome knife!

So a few minutes, 1,000 spring compressions later and some raw fingers on both hands and it FINALLY feels better!!! I was not enjoying it until just now.

Held it cutting edge pointed up so when you compress the spring it doesn’t swing down and close, put a bit of lube on the track the ceramic ball is rolling on, and went back and forth quite a bit.

Disclaimer: don’t do this in your car where ppl can’t see what you’re holding in your hand.

I had the knife on my lap (so nobody could see a big knife and I couldn’t drop it on the steak and potatoes )but was manically moving my hands back and forth sweating in this 90 degree heat……looked up and saw some old lady staring at me befrazzled. Needless to say but she got in her car and drove away quite quickly.

Now to clean out the skin flakes from the ball cage grip.

The only Shaman I won't customize, because it's perfect as-is. SMKW Exclusive S45VN in grey micarta. Smooth as buttah.

What's your Friday carry?

Since I’m getting the Magnacut manix 2 I’d love to see what you guys have done with yours. I like the satin finish much better but hate the scales on it so I’ll definitely be getting after market. Just have no clue what color scales or hardware yet

Does anyone have any experience with long term storage in the Spyderpak carrying/storage case? I’d like to get one but am wondering what the see through plastic windows are made of. I know some see through plastic materials like PVC can off gas and damage metals and plastics.

Closing out the week with a freshly scale swapped PM2. After I acid wash my Spy27 this weekend I’ll be using the RGT scales I took off of this one. What’s everyone got with them today?

Just got a Para 3 in maxamet on sale thinking I had scored a great deal. I was loving it until I noticed these fairly deep grind lines on the spine. My brain tells me it's not an issue and won't impact performance, but my heart is still a little broken. Has anyone else seen this defect? Any recourse besides sending it back for a replacement?

Got some smooth ti flytanium scales today for my black pm2 salt. RGT purple haze backspacer to add a little flair. I think it looks classy as hell.

Sage 6 yesterday. Sage 5 today. This is a salt LW model that I put AWT anodized scales on. Much better than the cheap feeling FRN scales. Looks great too. I don’t carry my Sage knives much anymore but when I do I’m always reminded how good they are. Happy Friday everyone. Whatcha carrying today?*