Knife name question

D

dalee100

Joined
Mar 15, 2008
Messages
1,539
Hi,

I just received a Boker Tree Brand Copperhead, (in red jigged bone, carbon steel blades). So in my ignorance, I ask, Why do they call the Copperhead pattern of slippie, Copperheads? Where does the name originate from? I don't see any copper on them anywhere.:D

Thanks!
dalee
 
Dalee,

Interesting question!. Perhaps someone else will chime in here who knows for sure.

Many older slipjoint patterns have practical names describing what they resemble or how they appear. Some examples are, the Peanut pattern resembles the shape of its namesake. The Sowbelly pattern is supposed to resemble a female Pig's belly. A Fiddleback pattern describes the back of that famous southern stringed musical instrument. So on and such.

Then there are old slippy's that describe whom or what the knife was made to do chore wise, like the Trapper pattern or the Folding Hunter, Whittler, ect.

Then there are others that are harder to pin down. My first thought on the Copperhead was it must resemble the Copperhead snake. But, that may be a hard one to justify.

I will wait and see how others see it and have them chime in.
 
Does a Ford Mustang resemble a horse? I think some of the pattern names are like that, someone came up with a new pattern and just named it because the name came to mind. Other were named because the resemble their namesakes such as the elephant toe. Some are named for their designed function such as the trapper. A Case cheetah pattern certainly doesn't look like a big cat, nor was it named because it is used to hunt or skin them...but it is a fitting name anyways.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.....
 
Hi,

I guess I'm kind of burned out on thinking about more serious things. And thinking about the etymology of the name is a kind of a relaxing exercise. I'm kind of like Sunnyd, I understand why Canoes are Canoes, and a Dogleg Jack is named as such. I'm just trying to make a connection I guess.

Perhaps you are right Absintheur, sometimes a log is just a really big stick.

dalee
 
The Copperhead I believe is named for it's top bolster,as it's spread larger than a common joint bolster because of it's sunk joint. Hence spread like a Copperhead snake...
 
Absintheur said:
Does a Ford Mustang resemble a horse? I think some of the pattern names are like that, someone came up with a new pattern and just named it because the name came to mind. Other were named because the resemble their namesakes such as the elephant toe. Some are named for their designed function such as the trapper. A Case cheetah pattern certainly doesn't look like a big cat, nor was it named because it is used to hunt or skin them...but it is a fitting name anyways.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.....
Click to expand...

Absintheur,

No such thing as a Cheetah pattern. The pattern you are referring to's correct pattern name is a Swing Guard or Swing Guard lock back. Cheetah is a Case model Swing Guard.
 
d.parker said:
The Copperhead I believe is named for it's top bolster,as it's spread larger than a common joint bolster because of it's sunk joint. Hence spread like a Copperhead snake...
Click to expand...

I like this theory. This is interesting.
 
d.parker said:
The Copperhead I believe is named for it's top bolster,as it's spread larger than a common joint bolster because of it's sunk joint. Hence spread like a Copperhead snake...
Click to expand...

This has always been my understanding of the names origin. The snakes head is broader then then body, the top bolster is broader then the balance of the handle.
 
Peregrin said:
This has always been my understanding of the names origin. The snakes head is broader then then body, the top bolster is broader then the balance of the handle.
Click to expand...

Seems quite logical..


asouthern-sc-copperhead.jpg


The above is a photo of the Southern Copperhead species of venomous snake.
 
Peregrin, Thanks for the pix it illustrates my point very well. Hence spread like a Copperhead snake....

Sorry Peregrin I thought you posted Copperhead pix. I see it was Sunnyd. Thanks Sunnyd.....
 
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sunnyd said:
Absintheur,

No such thing as a Cheetah pattern. The pattern you are referring to's correct pattern name is a Swing Guard or Swing Guard lock back. Cheetah is a Case model Swing Guard.
Click to expand...

Yet I haven't seen one dance...lol...walk and talk maybe but never dance...

Pattern # 11: This is a 4 3/8" knife that is most often known as a cheetah or swing-guard lock back Even on the Case website they call the pattern by the name Cheetah. Other manufacturers may call it by another name but that kinda shows what I was talking about, names don't always have to match the knife.
 
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Whats interesting is that there are two completely different versions of Copperheads. :confused:
 
d.parker said:
The Copperhead I believe is named for it's top bolster,as it's spread larger than a common joint bolster because of it's sunk joint. Hence spread like a Copperhead snake...
Click to expand...

Hi,

I feel better after a good nights' sleep.:) I do see the resemblance to the snake head now that you point it out. I can believe that is where the name originated from. I think I'll go with that.:D

I think Absintheur, since slip-joint patterns tend to be old designs, (before marketing departments and Madison Ave. took over), the names of patterns tend to be more grounded in realistic and "natural" origins. And less in flights of fanciful thinking.

dalee
 
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