Copper v Brass

The Zieg

The Zieg

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Jan 31, 2002
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I told myself no knife purchased this year, but I will blame it on Friday the 13h. I want a Mercator from Otter Messer. I can go cheap with the original Cat Knife, which will do admirably all the jobs I need to do, or I can spend the extra for the shiny handles. It's a bit of scratch for such a simple knife, but they look great online.

So help me decide: If not original black, should it be brass or copper? And I've already considered one of each, but I'm going to hold it at one.

Zieg
 
Zeig, there's obviously no wrong answer but the deep patina copper forms is so appealing. Now Brass on the other hand patinas nicely as well, in my opinion not as dark as copper but more subtle. Hmmmm, just to change it up I'd lean towards brass?

And of course here's the common answer...get both:o But I'll vote Brass, regardless pictures when it arrives:thumbup:
 
I like the patina of copper a little better. The patina can show a few more colors. Brass seems to just be a darker, greenish patina. I do like both of them however.



Here is a nice copper patina:



Here you can see the color a little better...

 
Both are beautiful. I think brass suits the Mercator knife's style a bit better, even though I would usually choose copper. I just think some knives look better in brass than copper.
 
Great pics! There is richness in both patinas, which is why I'm going with brass or copper, of course.

Zieg
 
Though I am rather fond of both copper and brass, I am particularly partial to brass. Brass has a long, long history of being used for so many things: Weapons, utensils, nautical instruments, the list can go on. I know copper shares some of that history but not nearly to the extent brass does. There is something to be said for smartly polished brass, it can be awe inspiring, where brass that has developed a patina has a story to tell.

This is a zippo that I carry every day. You can see that it has developed a patina from use and pocket wear. If brass or copper are exposed to a lot of moisture, they will develop verdigris which can turn them greenish over a long period of time without any care. I do not expect you will have any concerns with that though.

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Here is an obligatory pic of a traditional knife. Sorry, I do not have any knives in my office with brass....

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Oh wait! Yes I do. This is the brass hilt of a early 18th century styled Scottish dirk that I had made years ago. It has a beautiful patina on it. My apologies to the mods for items that are not necessarily traditional in nature. However, I felt they were pertinent to the conversation as visual aids.

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The Zippo windproof lighter was first banged out in 1933, three decades before the Buck 110, which is welcome here, so I think you're OK, Pádruig. And the dirk certainly qualifies. Thanks for the pics!

So far brass over copper 3 to 1. But it's still only the first period of the match. 😉

Zieg
 
Here is the copper Kabar with a copper Maratac flashlight. The SAK is copper colored aluminum, the flashlight was close to that color when new.

 
Ooh, I was just trying to talk myself out of a black cat. now that I see it in carbon steel and copper, I might be undone.
 
How about brass if you're a shooter (gun type), and copper if you're not? Not much of a contribution, but...
Thanks, Neal
 
Personally, I like my newer, working knives to look good so I polish them and don't care for any patina. Why make a new knife look old? My vote, no patina - polish them.
Rich
 
Three to two, brass. For sure carbon over stainless. Patina is the name of the game. There's a fraction of an ounce extra in the copper, which doesn't bother me in such a light kit.

I'll keep the poll open for the weekend and see what the opinions are. Either way, I'll do a set of unboxing pics and then pics of use around the farm and household and report on the tool.

Keep the opinions coming! Thanks!

Zieg
 
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