A few words on the Tiger Coral Kopa.

[lycanthought]

Let me start out by saying that an MSRP of $210 (or £75 on ebay!) is more than I ever thought I'd pay for a knife. If it hadn't been for a) getting a pay rise and b) going on ebay drunk (WARNING - Don't try this at home) I would have continued to want it rather than buying it. I have carried a penknife since I was about 10, quite unusual in the UK. I have owned a variety of diiferent cheap lock knives over the years, and haver never really got on with any blade above about 2". About two years ago I was looking to replace an ageing Whitby knife (UK brand, cost about £8, aluminium handled frame lock with (probably) 440A part serrated 2" blade) I had the bright idea of looking on the internet and came across a little company called Spyderco.... I am handling my addiction better than some and, being a fan of the smaller knife, I have only bought three - a PE Toad (a little too small) an SS Kiwi (Slim blade meant the grind was too steep - could do with being hollow ground Sal, if you're reading this) and now the tiger coral Kopa. Note that my comments on the Toad and Kiwi are justifications to myself for buying more, rather than criticisms! Incidentally, If anyone knows of a larger knife with the same kind of deep, thin hollow grind as the toad that is cheaper than a sebenza, I still want one... I also have a No. 8 Opinel reprofiled into a sheepfoot (4" handle, 2" blade - perfect for whittling) and a leatherman PST. Oh, and a CRKT pikes peak that might as well be a spork.

So, the Kopa. Vital stats - 2.5" VG10 Blade (2.1" cutting edge) Stainless handles with Tiger coral inserts, skeletonised belt clip, RH tip down carry only, lockback, 3.5" closed, 6" overall

First impressions - This is a damn nice looking knife. Fit and finish are excellent, Both the Toad and the Kiwi required a little work with a polishing stone to take off some excessively sharp edges, none on the Kopa though. My only slight gripe is the blade grind is not quite even above the hole. The coral inlay is great, a bit like bone but much more unusual. Difficult to describe the texture of it, but I like it more every day. The match between the inlay and bolsters is great, I like the fact the bolsters are slightly different thicknesses on each side (finished to fit the coral, rather than the other way round). The ergonomics are superb - It is only 1/2" longer than the Kiwi, but it fills the hand much more and the coral prevents my titanium engagement ring from scratching the handle (I'm married now so my engagement ring is on my right hand - this was a constant problem with the all stainless kiwi)

I have had this for a month or so now and let me assure you all that it may be a very pretty limited edition knife, but there is no way this will be a safe queen. It has been used every day since I got it and I have already had to polish some light scratches out of the bolsters. The VG10 is unsurprisingly great, keep it well stropped and it only needs the occasional touch up on my Spyderco extra fine slip stone (I always sharpen freehand, sharpmakers and the like are all very well, but not for me. Call me old fashioned if you like.) It is comfy in the hand for extended whittling, and I really like the full flat grind. One thing that is a bit odd (and this isn't the only knife that suffers from this, nor am I sure there is a solution) is that the clip is mounted for tip down carry, yet the lanyard hole is by the tip. I had got used to carrying my kiwi (lanyard hole is in the same place) in my pocket with a short lanyard sticking out so I could pull it out with the lanyard. Do this with the Kopa and the clip catches on the pocket quite badly. Take the clip off, and it looks ugly... Difficult. One of the best things about the Kiwi was the way the handle extends onto the blade, and it's even better on the Kopa, giving 4" of grip from 3 1/2" of handle.

Anyway, I'm always on the lookout for my next knife, but now I'm not sure there will be a next knife, and that says it all really.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Lycanthought,

Thanx for the kind comments. The Kopa can be a bit of a gem, but I agree that you should use it. We make our knives to be used. I carry and use an Evrina Kopa with a very nice Linda Karst scrim.. That way I get to enjoy it more often.

On the deep hollow, you might look at the D'Allara2, although it is a beast of a knife. We're thinking about a smaller one, but it would still not be nearly as small as the Kopa.

Tip down works better for the "Spyder-drop" opening which works well with the Kopa.

sal

 

[Harry White]

Tip down works better for the "Spyder-drop" opening which works well with the Kopa.

sal

Boy, does it ever! I absolutely love the Kopa -- IMO it has one of the smoothest openings of any Spyderco I've had the pleasure to handle, and it is perfectly suited for the fancy Spyder-drop opening. I really can't say enough positive things about this knive. I have the Cocobolo edition -- which is gorgeous -- but you really can't go wrong with any of the scale materials offered. Thanks Sal!