Chinook

[fisherman]

I can not decide between the wegner and the chinook. I like the chinooks lock back and just about everything about it, but the wegner is also a great knife and is more an all around knife. I think the chinooks blade looks usefull for a lot of things but everyone I have talked to says it is for "highly specialized task" and would be an emergancy knife only. Does anyone know anything that might help me decide between these two great knives?

(right now I am leaning quite heavy towards the wegner)

fisherman

[Franco G]

Hi Fisherman,
a few hints IMHO:
I have Wegner and, recently the Chinook too. It is very difficult to decide between two excellent knives. I like Wegner very much, agree completely with Shootist's views (you find that in forums). However, the Chinook's lock is stronger(MBC standard) and this is important for defensive purpose (I guess they both have equally RELIABLE locks - not to confuse with strength!). In numbers, Wegner is heavy duty - means 100+ inch/lbs per inch of blade, Chinook is 200+ inch/lbs.

Personally, I would like very much to bring Wegner's lock to the MBC standard (like Gunting's one) by adding the second steel liner and compression lock (everything nested in G-10). Sal, Tim?

Regards,

Franco

P.S. Suggestion: buy both if possible.

[ronin203]

You should get the latest issue of tactical knive's, Jerry Van Cook did an awsome review of the chinook. It is my edc knife and i believe it will do just about anything. I don't have a Wegner but everything i've heard about it is good. you've got a tough choice.

[ftkinney]

i love the wegner, the fit the feel the shape and over all size (blade + handle) i just got a phone call from my buddy who is a hunting guide in mexico, who gave i gave one to for his birthday and in his apperation he sent me a bottle of $100 tequlea ($20 for him), his commet was: " i'm about 150 miles from civilation on an average day and will allays carry this knife, i have never owned a knive this good, i have the utmost respect for it, thanks."
i will get a chinook for my brother's birthday, in late september it is defanatly his style, he's big texan.but i have not had a chance to handle it. i like the liner lock's one handed eaze of close and cleaning is a brease nothing for lint etc to get cought in. if you could afford buy both and keep one in you truck, tool box, boat etc and one on your person. i think the wegner is a better EDC while the chinook for large chopping tasks. i keep my serrated military in my automotive tool box in the garage. i think you will like eather one, or both.

FTK

Edited by - ftkinney on 7/5/2001 11:52:14 PM

[Mancer]

Yeah, wonderful knives, I cant say much about the Wegner since Ive never handled one.
But the comments Ive heard where all good and it looks like a lill beut, what I can comment on tho is the Chin, as this is my baby, my fav spydie.
I dont agree with the comment that its only really for special uses only.
This knife is solid as o rock, nice and heavy(which I like), sharp as a razor and the swept up tip is good for fine cutting.
I use this blade constantly from cutting cardboard to wood, its a all around wonder.

As the others have said, you have a difficult choice on your hands, but look at the good side, you have 2 choices, you can either have a gr8 knife.....or.....a gr8 knife <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Good luck

MaNcEr

It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum

[cerulean]

I have a Wegner and a Chinook, but I'm probably going to give the Wegner away to a friend in the near future.

The Wegner is a good knife, and I can see why some people really like it, but it just isn't right for me personally.

The Chinook though... now that's a knife. It doesn't feel like a toy; like so many other &quot;tactical&quot; folders.

They're both great knives, but your best bet would probably be to handle both of them before you buy, and see which one's right for you.

[The Stare]

I can only speak to the Wegner. But first, I believe Cerulean hit the nail on the head. You should do everything you can to handle both. So many things about ergonomics are very subjective.

For instance, MaNcEr likes the upswept point, finds it good for fine cutting. In my mind, the wharncliffe and sheepsfoot blade shapes are the best for fine cutting. The higher the point for me, the more difficult I find fine cutting.

While the Wegner is no lightweight, the Chinook is a load. I find the Wegner to be very ergonomic, and it allows a variety of holding positions comfortably. I think that it's blade shape and size is very deceptive. I confess I've given a lot of credence to Dennis Bible's/shootist16's viewpoint. He knows a lot about knives, and he has staunchly put the Wegner at the top of his list for over 2 years. Perhaps most important, he is an LEO, and has trusted the Wegner as his duty carry for more than 2 years. That is faith.

I know that I was just about to put my Wegner into my strong-side pocket when I bought a Sebenza. Given the price of the CR knife, I felt I had to carry it all the time. (Yes, I'm paranoid) But, I wanted to carry the Wegner and CRKT Apache so much, I finally put the Sebenza into a belt sheath, and now rotate between the Wegner and Apache. There is no doubt I feel safer with one of those 2 knives in my pocket than with the Sebenza, should a self-defense situation arise. (I do put more faith in the Apache, because I believe it was designed primarily for knife fighting, not the versatility the Wegner possesses.)

Check out the Chinook. I respect Jerry Van Cook's opinion a lot, and that of so many forumites who love the knife. But, if you can't check them out, I'd recommend the Wegner.

Stare

[vampyrewolf]

Well, I have only handled a Chinook in store, and only for about 45 minutes total... I just got a Wegner Jr last night(well, 5am this morning on my 2300-0800 shift).

The wegner is truely a piece of art. It has a small handle, yet seems more secure in my hand than the Chinook. It outwieghs the Delica: 3.5oz to the 1.9oz, yet seems lighter...

I would now recommend a wegner myself for EDC, but a Chinook for camping. I just have a thing for bowie knives for camp use.

We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[ronin203]

I haven't handled a Wegner yet. For some reason the knife store's here don't carry many spyderco's. But I agree you should handle both first, and then decide. The unavailability of spyderco's here is why I ask so many question's on the forum. I then end up buying my knife online.

[afee]

Only experienced the Chinook so far, but I like the deep belly, wide cutting surface, and really great point. Makes it very utilitarian (unless you regularly stree the tips laterally on your knives). I like that I can slice, push and dig for really little splinters with one beefy blade. I'm not very big, but I really don't find it as heavy as everyone makes it sound.