copperhead vs trapper

Rsmith_77

Rsmith_77

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Jun 4, 2010
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So i think i've narrowed down my next choice. Wanted a 2 blade edc and i kinda like both of them. I am getting to choose a new knife to replace one that had to be sent back to the manufacturer and is out of production.

So i have narrowed it down to the copperhead or the trapper. Now boker doesnt seem to have any mini-trappers so the choices are the 3 3/4s copperhead and the normal 4 1/4 trapper. From what i can see the copperhead is smaller but thicker and the trapper would be longer and thinner so i am not sure which would carry better

both are carbon steel and same handle (either beer barrel wood or bone) so that part isnt an issue.

I know the normal questions, what chores do i need to do, what do i expect it to do for me. I am a pretty much average city dweller with normal average edc needs (opening boxes, letters, cutting string some occasional food prep and maybe some light wittling for fun. Nothing special)

So, I figured I would see what folks actually use, which folks prefer and more importantly why they prefer it.
 
My daily use is pretty much the same as yours.
I carried trappers for a couple of years, nice knife for sure, but..
After purchasing a Boker Copperhead, its a wee bit nicer for edc, and seems much more ergonomic than a trapper. Others may not agree :p I just purchased three more Copperheads this week, after trying many different models, the CH is my first choice.
Its not too small or large, it just feels right. :D
 
This of course will be highly subjective.

I like the two blade copperhead style (one traditional large clip with one pen) more than the trapper for a couple of reasons.

First, it rides more comfortably in my pocket than a 4"+ knife. A bit smaller rides better for me. Also, I like to have a large work blade, and a smaller one for finer work. I like to keep the small blade as sharp as I can. It does great work as well for heavy duty cutting, but its smaller size keeps me from overloading it. Plus, when it is really sharp, I can use the small blade to notch my cigars. :D

Second, since the trappers were actually designed as cutters (skinning, etc.,) it seems their highest calling is slicing. But the blades have a tendency to be too long, a bit fragile for me (comparatively speaking), and I don't need two long skinny blades for a general every day carry. Especially on a knife that big.

I carried trappers off and on for years, but was really afraid to use them hard except as a slicer. For a work knife over 4", I prefer a stockman, although I carry a medium stockman now over the large ones I have.

Just my 0.02.

Robert
 
The copperhead is a very ergonomic size and shape, plus the bolster hides the tang run up so it's even more pocket friendly.
 
I have a few Copperheads.

I sold all my full size Trappers, too unwieldy with long thin blades. A fine authentic pattern mind, but not for my pockets. The Mini Trapper or Slimline is another matter though.....
 
ditto to what formites have said. i.m.o. the trapper is best at serving in the hunting & fishing needs of rural enviroments. of course removing animal hides is still a good job for the aptly named trapper.---dennis
 
thanks all,

been thinking about this and what i may do is pick up the appaloosa bone copperhead with the boker reimbursement thing
then later on, after saving up all my change, i may pick up a case mini-trapper later on
 
When I started this hobby, my second favorite was the Copperhead. It still is. The size is just right and has two useful blade. The trapper is a nice knife, but for me I do not like the Spey blade at all. My favorite brand of copperheads is Case. Because their second blade is a smaller pen blade that I like more than other brands that I think use a clip blade. Not sure. But I have a couple other brands and I do like them, just prefer the pen just a little more. The Case's are just a little more useful having two different size and shape blades. The other brands configuration are very similar blades.

Bill
 
A Copperhead at 3 3/4" with a clip and skinner blades, I find the package much easier to use than a trapper at 4 1/4" with a clip and a spey blade
 
Rsmith_77 said:
thanks all,

been thinking about this and what i may do is pick up the appaloosa bone copperhead with the boker reimbursement thing
then later on, after saving up all my change, i may pick up a case mini-trapper later on
Click to expand...

Let me tell you that the Appaloosa Bone is a very desirable scale choice. Large Stockman and a Whittler in it and I revere both!
CASE Mini Wharncliffe Trapper is a good choice too.
 
Copperhead is probably my favorite all around pattern. I love stockmans and carry them too, but if I could have only one, it would be a copperhead. I especially like the line of the back of the blades meeting the bolster as black mamba mentioned.
 
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