I quite like both of these knives , chaparral being one of the only back lock knives i would consider. the compresion lock is what seals the sage 5 for me. Great "Battle to the Death!!"
I have the original Sage and the Sage 5. Love them both because they have great ergos. Also, they win the aesthetics battle over the Para 2 or 3 hands down. You have probably cost me money because I am now interested in the Chaparral. One little side note. I would give the Sage a bit of bonus points on value because some of the profits on the Sage got to charity for a cause that I want to support. It might be the reason I get the Sage 5 Lightweight.
I handled the sage 5 vs the chaparral along with various other Spyderco's and my choice was the chaparral despite it being the most expensive option. I love it more and more every day so far. Truly beautiful folder
For someone looking to get one knife, Sage 5. It’s more versatile. For someone who has a few knifes that fit a few needs and they are looking for a great, mild-average use edc folder, Chaparral.
I got a Sage 5 lightweight a few months ago. I did not like the FRN scales at first either, but they kind of grew on me. Might still end up swapping them with some copper or titanium scales if anyone ever gets around to making some for it, but the FRN is not all that bad.
Agreed. The felt weight is really unnoticeable truth be told, and for me the few extra dollars for the G10, Carbon-fiber, Carbon-fiber over G10 is worth the quality feel in the hand.
Have both...the LW Chaparral is "OK"...but the Sage 5 blows the Para3 OUT OF THE WATER.. If I could only keep one, it would be the Sage 5 by a landslide! It’s bigger and more useful. 😬
Nice comparison. I'm thinking about one of them for some time. Probably a bad choice in terms of practicality, but I think Raffir Noble Chaparral will win.
I don't currently own a Spyderco, but the Sage 5 would be the one I'd go for. And just because a knife loses the Battle to the Death, doesn't mean it leaves your collection. I can hear the love for both of them.
Thx Slicey. Personally I compare the Chaparral to the delica 4 and the chaparral wins . And the Sage 5 to the para 3 and there i'm not 100% jet, but its mostly dependend on the tasks I have planed for them. Thx for all your great videos René
I would also add in the Chaparrall's favor that it comes in multiple production varieties. That said, I like the Sage 5 better mostly because the Chapparrall tears up my thumb when closing with the thin backlock.
If you move the backlock spring up just a tiny amount REALLY smooths the action out. Only have to remove one scale to do it, if you feel comfortable doing it. Makes a huge difference!
@@jonr1510 the problem is the metal on the lock is still really thin. I've grown a knife thumb since the last time I used it, so it isn't ancient problem. I wish it was like the dragon fly lock.
Totally agree with your scoring and the outcome. That said I prefer the Sage because of the fidget factor and the Sage is about as small as I like a knife to be. It's great how Spyderco makes a number of different knives that compete for the same or similar category. Gives more of a choice. I'd love to see Spyderco add to their lineup, a 15 percent scaled up Sage 5 to give it about a 3.25 inch blade. My Manix 2 fills that roll now but a Sage that was a smidge smaller than the Manix with a compression lock would be cool imo.
Great video. I wanted you to know that I bought my Chaparral LW from White Mountain in Jan 2019 because of you and find I seem to carry it more than any of my other knives. It is a great sorta lil knife. :)
Biggest advantage for me is that the Chap fits in 90% of my fifth pockets so it’s completely out of the way. I really forget it’s there until i need it and both of my main front pockets are free for other stuff. The Chap and the Dragonfly 2 are the ultimate edc, put in 5th pocket and forget So easy to edc
For a time I had 6 Sages and 4 Chaparrals. Recently pared back to 1 ea. Sage & Sage 2 along with the FRN Chaparral. Both 'patterns', to borrow the classic folder term are excellent, whichever variant(s) you prefer.
Sage 5 is in my pocket right now. Chaparral lives in my Spydie roll; my very first Spyderco. She lives in knife Valhalla, too precious to me carry all day.
Well done, both great choices. Our friend Nick offers that the back-lock on the Chaparral is a tad thin (as thin as the blade stock) and sort of digs into your thumb upon depressing it. With all due respect to Nick, are you finding that to be any issue (or a "thing"), just curious. I realize it's like trying on shoes, gonna be different for some folks you know.
I got the Chaparral LW yesterday and I’ve got to say as much as I like it’s form factor, I’m failing deployment about half of the time with my large hands/sausage fingers. I’m hoping it just needs to be broken in more otherwise I will return it for the Sage 5.
I love small edc... But wow, if I ever lived somewhere that told me what I could or could not carry.. I'd move! Yeah it's just a knife, but if they are dictating your freedom on a knife..I imagine they are overstepping in many other ways in your life! No thank you... Buy knives because they are pretty cool.. Buy what you want though.. If you can't even enjoy something as simple as what kinda knife you carry.. Well.. Make ac choice.. You want to be free or controlled? Both these knives are really nice.. I'd own either, but not because someone told me that all I'm allowed to own.
I was wondering why the clip on your Sage was so short? I have the Sage 5 and the pocket clip on mine is longer like on the Chaparral. Anyway, Sage 5 is the only Spyderco I own and the Chaparral is the only other I have been considering! Thanks for the video.
Nice one! Having both, I carry the Chaparral a lot more than the Sage myself. The Chaparral is just so easy to pocket and takes up much less space. I like both a lot, but these days I question whether I should hold on to the Sage. I like the compression lock, but I don’t feel like it’s the best implementation, as I find it hard to get an ideal combination of centering, action, and lack of blade play. I thought your Chaparral was a CQI version, as it has more screws in the scales than mine. Anyway, thanks for the comparison!
Do you notice the edges on the compression lock finger tab has a “rounded” fell to it? The tab on golden factory knives seem more squared but the sage has angles to it? I feel like it makes the purchase for your finger slippery. Guess it’s kind of hard to explain...
I agree with your choice but for one reason that wasn’t mentioned. The sage 5 has a horrible action at least my example does. For the price and having a compression lock I was excited to have at least a decent action but it’s horrible
Mine has smoothed out over time, but still not drop shutty. I've found that if I adjust the pivot to get it to drop, it introduces some blade play. Going to mess with it again, but it's a really fine line.
mr. jinks There are just some knives that have some sacrifices and need to be a little tight or a little loose. Honestly they should have been machined better in the tolerance department but hey I’m not a designer or a machinist haha
Hey Brian, did your Sage 5 come with a short loop over clip? Mine came with a longer clip similar to the one you have on the Chaparral. I’d prefer the smaller clip like i have on my Benchmade Bugout. How can I get my hands on one? Another great battle to the death. Keep up the good work, I look forward to the next one.
Love my sage 5. 2 issues: Peel ply carbon is such a cop out. It’s peeling and becoming unsightly with relatively minor use. They really do need to get away from that Slathered in locktite. Unfortunately can’t disassemble
Two of my favorite smaller knives. I have the raffir noble chaparral, gives it such a unique aesthetic. And boy is it ever slicey! But the sage 5 is no slouch either. Do you have any blade play in your sage 5 to get it that drop shutty? I'm finding it's a very fine line between getting it to drop without introducing a little blade play. Great battle between these two!
Leat we forget spyderco from the USA have rough plastic edges, g10 or frn they are cheap plastic and rough and squishy. The full steel liners perfectly machines and smooth scales are stronger and classier and smoother on every level. It is like comparing a gayle bradley 2 with m4 and carbon fibre vs an s whatever v and plastic in a para 3 or 2. It is a no brainer.
Yours is the CQI version....unless there's another version that's come out in the last two weeks. Yours has the extra screws showing, and the chamfers on the back lock button (it's just chamfers on the edges, not a rounded section like seen on the Delica, look closely and you'll see them). Nick's review from a few years ago is the original version, with only two screws visible and no chamfer on the back lock button. ruclips.net/video/L0tW5Ja-SnU/видео.html
@@SliceyDicey Ah...interesting. Maybe yours was made during the transition, so you got the new scales but not the updated lock back. Here's a pic of mine where you can see the tiny chamfer....it's more just knocked the edge off than a true chamfer, but it's enough to make a difference for sure. i.imgur.com/5FZg7XQ.jpg EDIT to add it may just be a lighting effect but it looks like yours has something similar around 8:12ish in the video
Sage 5 for me, because I like to fidget with my knives....compression lock allows me to do just that. 👍🏻 -Stephen, Ohio
Didn't see that one coming. I really like my Sage 5.
I quite like both of these knives , chaparral being one of the only back lock knives i would consider. the compresion lock is what seals the sage 5 for me.
Great "Battle to the Death!!"
I was stuck between these two a long time ago and Sage 5 won my heart
Do what I did. But em both! Knife problem is a good problem!!
@@jmare25 not for my wallet lol
I have the original Sage and the Sage 5. Love them both because they have great ergos. Also, they win the aesthetics battle over the Para 2 or 3 hands down. You have probably cost me money because I am now interested in the Chaparral.
One little side note. I would give the Sage a bit of bonus points on value because some of the profits on the Sage got to charity for a cause that I want to support. It might be the reason I get the Sage 5 Lightweight.
I got a sage 5 for $120 brand new on ebay last week. I absolutely love it! been looking at them for awhile and finally took the plunge.
I handled the sage 5 vs the chaparral along with various other Spyderco's and my choice was the chaparral despite it being the most expensive option. I love it more and more every day so far. Truly beautiful folder
For someone looking to get one knife, Sage 5. It’s more versatile. For someone who has a few knifes that fit a few needs and they are looking for a great, mild-average use edc folder, Chaparral.
The FRN has been a no go for me on any Spyderco. I'll trade some weight for quality feel in the hand.
I got a Sage 5 lightweight a few months ago. I did not like the FRN scales at first either, but they kind of grew on me. Might still end up swapping them with some copper or titanium scales if anyone ever gets around to making some for it, but the FRN is not all that bad.
Agreed. The felt weight is really unnoticeable truth be told, and for me the few extra dollars for the G10, Carbon-fiber, Carbon-fiber over G10 is worth the quality feel in the hand.
Have both...the LW Chaparral is "OK"...but the Sage 5 blows the Para3 OUT OF THE WATER..
If I could only keep one, it would be the Sage 5 by a landslide! It’s bigger and more useful. 😬
I don't own a Sage 5, but I love my Sage 2. Such a perfect little knife.
This is probably going to be one of my favorite battle to the deaths!
This will be a fun battle!!!!
Nice comparison. I'm thinking about one of them for some time.
Probably a bad choice in terms of practicality, but I think Raffir Noble Chaparral will win.
I don't currently own a Spyderco, but the Sage 5 would be the one I'd go for. And just because a knife loses the Battle to the Death, doesn't mean it leaves your collection. I can hear the love for both of them.
Thx Slicey.
Personally I compare the Chaparral to the delica 4 and the chaparral wins .
And the Sage 5 to the para 3 and there i'm not 100% jet, but its mostly dependend on the tasks I have planed for them.
Thx for all your great videos
René
As a collector I had to buy both of them but I give the edge to the Sage 5.
I would also add in the Chaparrall's favor that it comes in multiple production varieties. That said, I like the Sage 5 better mostly because the Chapparrall tears up my thumb when closing with the thin backlock.
I just had that as a question, thanks for chiming in.
If you move the backlock spring up just a tiny amount REALLY smooths the action out. Only have to remove one scale to do it, if you feel comfortable doing it. Makes a huge difference!
@@jonr1510 the problem is the metal on the lock is still really thin. I've grown a knife thumb since the last time I used it, so it isn't ancient problem. I wish it was like the dragon fly lock.
Totally agree with your scoring and the outcome. That said I prefer the Sage because of the fidget factor and the Sage is about as small as I like a knife to be. It's great how Spyderco makes a number of different knives that compete for the same or similar category. Gives more of a choice. I'd love to see Spyderco add to their lineup, a 15 percent scaled up Sage 5 to give it about a 3.25 inch blade. My Manix 2 fills that roll now but a Sage that was a smidge smaller than the Manix with a compression lock would be cool imo.
Great video. I wanted you to know that I bought my Chaparral LW from White Mountain in Jan 2019 because of you and find I seem to carry it more than any of my other knives. It is a great sorta lil knife. :)
Thanks I bought both lol.
$123 for the chap and $139 for the sage
Great fight to the death series. I too like both, but have to go with the compression lock.
It's not the battle that I asked for but it's the battle we needed
Biggest advantage for me is that the Chap fits in 90% of my fifth pockets so it’s completely out of the way. I really forget it’s there until i need it and both of my main front pockets are free for other stuff. The Chap and the Dragonfly 2 are the ultimate edc, put in 5th pocket and forget
So easy to edc
For a time I had 6 Sages and 4 Chaparrals. Recently pared back to 1 ea. Sage & Sage 2 along with the FRN Chaparral. Both 'patterns', to borrow the classic folder term are excellent, whichever variant(s) you prefer.
Better blade vs better lock.
Which is more important to you?
I have plenty of fidget knives so the Chaparral was an instant win for me.
I kind of expected the comment about the backlock, but I actually tend to really prefer the backlocks for some reason
I need to grab both of these for users. That raffir noble chaparral was pretty cool if you get a good pattern.
Sage 5 is in my pocket right now. Chaparral lives in my Spydie roll; my very first Spyderco. She lives in knife Valhalla, too precious to me carry all day.
Well done, both great choices. Our friend Nick offers that the back-lock on the Chaparral is a tad thin (as thin as the blade stock) and sort of digs into your thumb upon depressing it. With all due respect to Nick, are you finding that to be any issue
(or a "thing"), just curious. I realize it's like trying on shoes, gonna be different for some folks you know.
I don't find it to be a problem at all.
I got the Chaparral LW yesterday and I’ve got to say as much as I like it’s form factor, I’m failing deployment about half of the time with my large hands/sausage fingers. I’m hoping it just needs to be broken in more otherwise I will return it for the Sage 5.
Two great knives. Neither one dies! lol👍 God bless
I love small edc... But wow, if I ever lived somewhere that told me what I could or could not carry.. I'd move! Yeah it's just a knife, but if they are dictating your freedom on a knife..I imagine they are overstepping in many other ways in your life! No thank you... Buy knives because they are pretty cool.. Buy what you want though.. If you can't even enjoy something as simple as what kinda knife you carry.. Well.. Make ac choice.. You want to be free or controlled? Both these knives are really nice.. I'd own either, but not because someone told me that all I'm allowed to own.
I was wondering why the clip on your Sage was so short? I have the Sage 5 and the pocket clip on mine is longer like on the Chaparral. Anyway, Sage 5 is the only Spyderco I own and the Chaparral is the only other I have been considering! Thanks for the video.
No idea. I bought it brand new like a year ago I think.
I have the short clip , I swapped it from my Dragon fly , I think its looks better than the longer clip
Nice one! Having both, I carry the Chaparral a lot more than the Sage myself. The Chaparral is just so easy to pocket and takes up much less space. I like both a lot, but these days I question whether I should hold on to the Sage. I like the compression lock, but I don’t feel like it’s the best implementation, as I find it hard to get an ideal combination of centering, action, and lack of blade play.
I thought your Chaparral was a CQI version, as it has more screws in the scales than mine. Anyway, thanks for the comparison!
You may be correct... I heard that it had a crowned lock bar and I definitely would not describe mine as that.
Slicey Dicey I heard that, too. I moved back the lockbar spring leaf on mine when I first got it, and it’s been fine ever since.
Do you notice the edges on the compression lock finger tab has a “rounded” fell to it? The tab on golden factory knives seem more squared but the sage has angles to it? I feel like it makes the purchase for your finger slippery. Guess it’s kind of hard to explain...
I agree with your choice but for one reason that wasn’t mentioned. The sage 5 has a horrible action at least my example does. For the price and having a compression lock I was excited to have at least a decent action but it’s horrible
Mine has smoothed out over time, but still not drop shutty. I've found that if I adjust the pivot to get it to drop, it introduces some blade play. Going to mess with it again, but it's a really fine line.
mr. jinks There are just some knives that have some sacrifices and need to be a little tight or a little loose. Honestly they should have been machined better in the tolerance department but hey I’m not a designer or a machinist haha
Mines awesome. Had to tune it up but pretty good out the box. After the tune up its freaking sweet.
Lube the lock some and the pivot
I had two. A loaner and this one. Both have been pretty good.
Hey Slicey!
I love my FRN Chaparral. Disappears in my pocket .
Hey Brian, did your Sage 5 come with a short loop over clip? Mine came with a longer clip similar to the one you have on the Chaparral. I’d prefer the smaller clip like i have on my Benchmade Bugout. How can I get my hands on one?
Another great battle to the death. Keep up the good work, I look forward to the next one.
Love my sage 5. 2 issues:
Peel ply carbon is such a cop out. It’s peeling and becoming unsightly with relatively minor use. They really do need to get away from that
Slathered in locktite. Unfortunately can’t disassemble
Never had peel ply do that and they stopped the loctite a year and a half ago.
The chaparrel is better in frn in my opinion because of the weight and thinness.
the Chaparral is actually way thinner than 18-19000 behind the edge.
When did they add the extra body screws to the Chappie? The 2 by the lockbar are hidden on mine...I think it's much nicer like that!
Aren't we supposed to get a Sage 5 Lightweight soon? Kinda like how they did the Para 3 LW - Compression Lock on an FRN handle.
Allegedly
i need a good blade to slash proud bois after i pepper spray them.
its either a fixed blade 6" or one of these. please advise.
Hard to beat the Chaparral for sliceability.
Two of my favorite smaller knives. I have the raffir noble chaparral, gives it such a unique aesthetic.
And boy is it ever slicey! But the sage 5 is no slouch either. Do you have any blade play in your sage 5 to get it that drop shutty? I'm finding it's a very fine line between getting it to drop without introducing a little blade play. Great battle between these two!
Nope. Had to take it apart and lube it, but no blade play.
Leat we forget spyderco from the USA have rough plastic edges, g10 or frn they are cheap plastic and rough and squishy. The full steel liners perfectly machines and smooth scales are stronger and classier and smoother on every level.
It is like comparing a gayle bradley 2 with m4 and carbon fibre vs an s whatever v and plastic in a para 3 or 2. It is a no brainer.
We all know the real reason the chaparral won, cough... no lanyard hole... cough
Hahaha. Maybe.
Yours is the CQI version....unless there's another version that's come out in the last two weeks. Yours has the extra screws showing, and the chamfers on the back lock button (it's just chamfers on the edges, not a rounded section like seen on the Delica, look closely and you'll see them). Nick's review from a few years ago is the original version, with only two screws visible and no chamfer on the back lock button. ruclips.net/video/L0tW5Ja-SnU/видео.html
Mine has no chamfer on the lock bar so I assumed it wasn’t n
@@SliceyDicey Ah...interesting. Maybe yours was made during the transition, so you got the new scales but not the updated lock back. Here's a pic of mine where you can see the tiny chamfer....it's more just knocked the edge off than a true chamfer, but it's enough to make a difference for sure. i.imgur.com/5FZg7XQ.jpg
EDIT to add it may just be a lighting effect but it looks like yours has something similar around 8:12ish in the video
6 ads for an 11 min video....
Old video. RUclips auto placed some old videos Eve. I first got monetized. Sorry about that.
@@SliceyDicey understandable, you dont have to apologise for anything, appreciate the personal touch tho! nice videos, even if theyre old
I really dont understand the love for the chaparral. It's so expensive for a basic boring cliche spyderco lock back typical s30v bullshit