Kiwi vs Kopa

C

Carpdiem

Joined
Feb 9, 2006
Messages
59
I'm planning on buying a gentleman's folder, but I don't know whether it'll be a Kiwi or Kopa. As I don't have any good knife stores nearby, I'm out of luck as far as handling them before purchase is considered, so if you guys could give me some comparisons of the two knives from first-hand use, I'd be thrilled. :D
 
I've no experience with the Kiwi but I love my Kopa. The Kiwi is smaller than I'd like in a daily use knife.
 
I love the Kopa and I do not like the Kiwi at all. I like the blade on the Kopa very much. Some people really like the Kiwi, but it does nothing for me at all.
Here are a couple pictures of mine.

Ron

DSCN5592_edited-2.jpg

DSCN5593_edited-1.jpg

DSCN5589_edited-1.jpg
 
This one is easy, do you want a pocket clip (Kopa) or not (Kiwi)?

I would go with the the Kopa for the clip. Some people (ok, one guy) have had issues the Kiwi turning funny in their pockets.

-Mat
 
Never used the Kiwi, but I use the Kopa for EDC in the city and am very happy with it. I am using it instead of a Chris Reeve Mnandi because I prefer the size of the handle and the flat ground blade (I also am more comfortable with a less expensive knife for all-around use). The only things I would change would be to soften the sharp edges in the opening hole (easy to do).
 
I would prefer the Kiwi since it fits my hand better and has a wharny blade which I find to be more friendly to NKP.
 
I had to make the same decision, and after handling both, went with the Kopa. I found the Kiwi to be smaller than I really wanted... small enough that I didn't like trying to open it with one hand. The Kopa comes in all sorts of beautiful handle materials, but I went with the black micarta for durability.

I'll agree with quattro that the edges of the opening hole are a bit sharp. I ran my Sharpmaker stones around in the hole a bit to "take the edge off".

I've shown the knife to a few people here at the office, and they all seem to think that it's pretty nice, and none felt threatened by it.
 
My personal choice would be the Kiwi, but I'm left handed and don't believe "gent's knife" sized folders look right with a clip, even if it was mounted on the correct side. ;) :D The Kopa and the Kiwi are both excellent, well built knives, so you really cannot go wrong with either one. Which "flavor" of either to get would be somewhat dependent on your tastes. All three factory versions of the Kiwi are available although the newest, Mother of Pearl with Abalone accents, shown below, is still a bit hard to find.

kiwi_p_and_a.jpg


The Kiwi is also available in numerous other scale materials from Santa Fe Stoneworks. All the versions of the Kopa, with the exception of Cocobolo, can also be found fairly easily.

Here's a size comparison shot for you...

kopa1.jpg
 
I always view the Kiwi as the evolutionary extension of the traditional "nail nick" pocket knife our grandfather's would carry. Evolutionary because unlike those old "nail nick" knives, you can open the Kiwi one handed and have more retention and control due to the two "finger choil" divots in the handle.

Personally, the Kopa is more comfortable to use for anything more than the occasional stray thread on the pants or letter to be opening.
 
I have both and prefer the Kopa. I like the blade shape better and it fits my hand much better. Just my $.02.
 
Thanks for all the replies everyone. I've pretty much decided to go with the Kopa then, but what can you tell me about the different handle materials? What are they actually like in person?
 
Here they are in order of release...

Cocobolo - medium color wood with an oil finish. Tends to darken with age and use.

kopa_open.jpg

Black Linen Micarta - there is enough curvature to the scales that you get to see a little of the "grain".

bm_kopa_s.jpg

Evrina - Japanese immitation ivory, looks very much like white paper micarta, but takes scrimshaw much better.

kopa_ev_s.jpg

Tiger Coral, a fossil coral background color is a light tan, veins run from carmel, through brown to almost black. I believe it has been stabilized as it has a rather "plastic" feel to it.

tiger_kopa1.jpg

Apple Coral, another fossil coral background color is an amost brick red, with both blackish and off white veining. As with the Tiger Coral, I believe it has been stabilized as it has a rather "plastic" feel to it.

kopa_apple_coral.jpg

Gold MoP

kopa_gp_left.jpg

Turquoise - think it may be reconstituted, which is not a bad thing, since natural turquoise tends to be a bit soft.

kopa_turquoise_05s.jpg

As I said, the Evrina takes scrimshaw well...

scrimmed_kopa_open2.jpg

...Needless to say, with the exceptions of the black micarta and Evrina, these are all natural materials, so color and pattern can vary considerably between specimens.
 
Of the two ..., I have carried the Kiwi in a suit pocket .. The Kopa is just a bit heavy for my tastes in light slacks. It wants to be clipped to jeans.

Razz
 
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