PE OR PS CHINOOK

[fisherman]

I am thinking my next knife will be a Chinook, should I get a pe or ps?



Here is what I would cut most.



1. small branches***

2. fishing line**

3. nylon cord

4. rope

5. fish**

6. some cleaning game

7. boxes

8. landscape utillity**

9. if required homo sapiens



I really am not a fan of combo edges, but if I can get more out of knife with one, then I guess that would be the way to go.(sorry for the run on) I would most like a chinook in 30%/70%, but anyway can you guys help me decide. Has anyone noticed any blade play in the chinook? If I was using the chinook as a mini machete, how would it handle compared to a wegner or military? (I would think better)



THANKS fisherman

[john row]

fisherman,
Judging by your list the combo edge would seem best.
John

They say there's a long tunnel with a bright light at the end. I've been there. it's just REALLY DARK!! :) LOL

[scolby]

I either carry either plain edge OR serrated, or one of each. The one exception is a CRKT Apache III, a small knife that has a 70/30 balance of plain to serration. I think that this is perfect because it keeps the serrations out of the way until you really want them.

The Chinook looks so great in plain blade partly to maintain that "Bowie" knife look.

One other consideration is that the use of the knife as a machete could be problematic due to the brittleness of the CPM440V steel. There are many threads on this and other forums regarding that brittleness.


"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur

[fisherman]

If you do not think the chinook fits the bill for the task i listed and to serve as a mini machete, good you reccomend me another spyderco that would.
THANKS fisherman

[The Stare]

It is my understanding that the Spyderco CPM440V is heated treated to a Rockwell of 56-57, or somewhere in that range. Not knowing exactly how you tend to cut small branches, I think the Chinook would be up to the task.

If it is for EDC, the Chinook is a pocketful. Not sure of the weight of the other, but the Wegner is certainly a very flexible knife, that could manage all the tasks you mentioned, except chopping. One can also just cut small branches, so I am not sure what you need.

I prefer plain edges. If one wants serrations, I'd rather see the whole blade be serrated. I have only 3 combos, and find the serrations get in the way much more than they help -- but that is me.

I'd buy either the Chinook or Wegner in plain edge, and buy an Ontario machete for $15 or so. Or, IMO better yet, buy a decent folding saw, for around $20. I like the Corona, and think the Gerber and Buck saws would both do that trick. One of them, the blade slides up inside the handle. I think this would be safer than a folding saw.

My $.02 worth.

Stare

[fisherman]

Stare, if you were to pick a perfect steel for the chinook, what would it be?

Let me tell you the catch thats making the choice between the chinook and wegner so hard.
Pros and cons of the chinook and wegner IMO
Chinook--pros
1. I like lockbacks more than liner locks
2. It looks capable of almost any tough task
3. It is slightly larger than the wegner
4. looks unbreakable
cons--
1. it might be a litlle heavy for EDC
2. you said that cpm 440v would not be the best stell for heavy chopping
3. its blade is not as all round as the wegner

wegner---pros

1. I have heard so much good stuff about it
2. it has a more usefull blade for most tasks
3. it would be better for EDC
cons--
1. liner locks are great locks, but somehow I would feel more secure with a lockback(for my uses)
2. small opening hole
3. not as beefy

I want a big tough knife that will handle anything I put it up to. The chinook seems to fit the bill, but on the other hand the wegner is a GREAT all around knife. So I am split 50/50. I think I am going crazy!!!
On last question, do you think the wegner could handle the task I listed above better than the military.
sorry for all the questions,

Fisherman

[john row]

fisherman,
My opinion is that EITHER would do you well.
One of the points about the brittleness of CPM440V has been solved by lowering the hardness. The brittleness problem was seen when the steel first started being used and was at a higher hardness (thus more brittle).
The Wegner is a PROVEN design and function knife. And would be great for the usage you originally mentioned. The Wegner is probably a bit less "scary" to non knife folks. The hole size works great because of the cut out for the hole in the handle. This knife can handle a lot!!!
The Chinook WILL whack small branches without chipping or breaking. I've done it on Apple, Ash & Maple trees. BUT...
"Whacking" takes a toll on locks both lockback and liner.
Stare's suggestion of picking up a proper machete for that type work is a good one.
You wouldn't use a good knife to turn a screw or spread butter with a screw driver.
John


They say there's a long tunnel with a bright light at the end. I've been there. it's just REALLY DARK!! :) LOL