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Spyderco Chaparral FRN Voted Best New Manual Folder 2018

December 5, 2018

Presented by: Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpeners

We are pleased to announce that the Spyderco Chaparral FRN is the KnifeNews Readers’ Choice for Best New Manual Folder 2018. The new Chap took the big prize in a category crowded with contenders, including the Benchmade Mini Crooked River, Zero Tolerance 0640, and the Three Rivers Manufacturing Neutron.

No other company does refinement like Spyderco. They obsessively work on existing designs, pushing them in new directions with series of small changes and tweaks: a new curve to the handle here, an experimental new steel there. The Chaparral series has particularly benefited from this approach over the years; one of the core ideas of the line was to offer a platform to experiment with handle materials. We’ve seen Chaps in carbon fiber, elaborately patterned titanium, even unusual Raffir Noble acrylic; the Chaparral FRN has been a long time coming, and by all accounts was worth the wait.

Work Sharp

The switch to FRN appears basic, but it offers major benefits. First, there’s the weight savings: the FRN Chap weighs about half an ounce less than the carbon fiber model. A new scale texturing makes its debut on this model and is highly effective, providing traction without damaging your pocket or roughing up your fingers. Finally, and most importantly, the switch to simple but effective plastic results in a major price drop: the Chaparral FRN hits an incredibly desirable sub-$100 price point, reaching almost Delica/Endura levels of value.

And keep in mind, the handle material is different but the steel is not. The heart and soul of the Chaparral is its surgically precise, thinly ground leaf blade, made from CTS-XHP steel. XHP is tough, stain-resistant, and holds an edge for a long time. It’s a perfect super steel for a blade this focused on high octane slicing performance. Even if you don’t have a knife nerd’s attention to these things, you’re bound to notice the sheer panache with which the Chaparral FRN zips through media. Spyderco delivered a truly premium blade at a value-oriented price point.

AWARDS SCHEDULE

Monday, November 26: Best New Tactical Fixed Blade 2018 (WINNER: ZU Bladeworx Shrapnel)

Tuesday, November 27: Best New Fixed Blade for EDC 2018 (WINNER: TOPS Little Bugger)

Wednesday, November 28: Best New Outdoors Fixed Blade 2018 (WINNER: Benchmade 200 Puukko)

Thursday, November 29: Best Knife Upgrade 2018 (WINNER: Ontario RAT 2 in D2)

Friday, November 30: Best New Slipjoint/Non-Locking Knife 2018 (WINNER: Isham Bladeworks Blackstar)

Monday, December 3: Best New High-End Knife 2018 (MSRP of $300 or more) (WINNER: Zero Tolerance 0470)

Tuesday, December 4: Best New Value Folder 2018 (MSRP of $100 or less) (WINNER: CIVIVI Baklash)

Wednesday, December 5: Best New Manual Folder 2018 (WINNER: Spyderco Chaparral FRN)

Thursday, December 6: Most Innovative New Knife 2018 (WINNER: WE Knife Co. Double Helix)

Friday, December 7: Best Overall New for 2018 Lineup (WINNER: Spyderco)

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