Kopa for "sentimental reasons?"

J

justbob

Joined
May 8, 2005
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Will the gold pearl Kopa's scales stand up to edc? (gulp!) :eek:

I am thinking such a knife would make a fine 21st birthday gift for my son. Thing is, I'd want--expect--him to carry it always and use it often, the way my grandad and dad did the old pearl handled folder that was recently handed down to me.

The same knife in Micarta (which I have and use daily), quince, etc., might be more "practical," but lack the "special" factor of the pearl.

Thoughts?
 
First thought for me is that not everyone likes to carry a knife. And if they do carry, it is very personal as to whether they like a Delica or Kopa or just a little SAK.

So my point is to be aware that your son may (or may not) dig a Kopa and may or may not want to carry it for 30 years. Just prepare yourself. I hang out on a flashlight forum, and folks there who love flashlights will give them as gifts, with varying degrees of success. Not everyone wants an EDC flashlight.

Good luck! :thumbup:
 
powernoodle said:
First thought for me is that not everyone likes to carry a knife. And if they do carry, it is very personal as to whether they like a Delica or Kopa or just a little SAK.

So my point is to be aware that your son may (or may not) dig a Kopa and may or may not want to carry it for 30 years. Just prepare yourself. I hang out on a flashlight forum, and folks there who love flashlights will give them as gifts, with varying degrees of success. Not everyone wants an EDC flashlight.

Good luck! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Sage advice, friend. ;)

The "apple" in question has fallen close to the "tree." :D He is working on his second Vic' Tinker SAK (first one is on the bottom of our favorite trout stream), EDCs the Delica (ss) I gave to him for making the Dean's List his first semester, and would not think of going anywhere without his Arc AAA. lol

And to think I didn't think he was paying attention all those years!

The "manly" heirlooms will be his in due time. Until then, I thought it would be nice for him to have his own somewhat special/unique "starter piece" to build upon.

He really likes my Kopa--nice to have for those venues where the Delica would be "too much" or otherwise out of place--but isn't so crazy about the micarta scales--he liked the cocobolo but I waited too long. :(

Hence, the gold pearl question.
 
Keeping in mind the intended use of the knife, I don't think it would be a problem for EDC. He's not going to baton it through a 14 inch log or skin any buffalo; it'll be for general EDC purposes I assume... trimming strings, cutting stuff out of the paper, etc.

If he's already got a Delica that he EDCs, I think he'd understand when and where to use the Kopa and when the Delica is the correct choice.

I was concerned when I bought my Cricket that it just wouldn't handle as much as I'd like it to. And while it's not a heavy duty knife, it's still a Spyderco. Spyderco manages to make a good looking knife every now and then, but the quality of the materials and construction is always the same... I think it'll hold up just fine.
 
if you can find an evrina ( one was just on ebay) you can send it to get scrimshawed like the old ivory knives with something personal. just an idea.
 
Psychopomp said:
Keeping in mind the intended use of the knife, I don't think it would be a problem for EDC. He's not going to baton it through a 14 inch log or skin any buffalo; it'll be for general EDC purposes I assume... trimming strings, cutting stuff out of the paper, etc.

If he's already got a Delica that he EDCs, I think he'd understand when and where to use the Kopa and when the Delica is the correct choice.
Click to expand...

;) Exactly.

My only concern, and it is a small one, is whether the pearl will stand up to the rigors of daily carry and typical "gentlemanly folder"use, as you described. My hunch is that the pearl Kopas may some day be more collectible than my micarta version, too.

A knife is a tool, and I expect any knife that gets used to acquire nicks, dents, scratches, etc., tales of experience. On the other hand, scales made of materials that look fabulous (ah . . . vanity) but are prone to breakage (impractical for its intended use), well that's another story.

As it stands, I'm thinking gold pearl (looks), tiger coral (coolness), and then the quince (practical but not at all utilitarian). Ultimately, the knife itself is the same regardless of handles.
 
No material will stand up well if abused. While not quite as damage resistant as micarta, gold pearl will stand up very well if treated with reasonable care.
 
I has a tiger carel kopa I have used it moderately I once got through some heavy palm fronds at the base with it and it worked out fine. This model has a fairly heavy steel frame construction with the exotic material set into it deeply and securely. I would be more concerned about snapping the blade under heavy use and anything, but large-scale structural failures with spyderco does seem to be very rare. I once had a pearl inlaid native it was a cobble Pearl not a pure piece, but my impression while I was that it scuffed up fairly easily, you had to look closely but it did scuff. As for the structural integrity of this material I don't know anything about it, If it were for example drop on no hard surface. if I were to get another one, I really like the black Quince, at new Graham knives, running around $100. but again it really depends I'm not a huge fan of mother-of-pearl, and I like natural woods and corals a lot.

I would honestly say if it's going to be carried on a regular basis another material would probably be better, but I hate to talk you out of getting such a nice piece for your son.
 
A druid said:
I would honestly say if it's going to be carried on a regular basis another material would probably be better, but I hate to talk you out of getting such a nice piece for your son.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yours have been most helpful and theraputic words. :D

Quince it is. I would rather he both carried and used it rather than just carried it as an affectation or, even worse, relegated it to the dark corner of his safe.

Weird how the knives/guns/tools I never worry about dropping or breaking are the ones that I always reach for but never break. It's the ones that I pamper that end up on the floor in pieces--or worse. :mad:

Go figure. :D
 
One other thing. I only do tip-up carry, and if I recall correctly the Kopa is configured only for tip-down carry. This has always been a deal breaker for me; otherwise I would have one or nine Kopas.

Not an issue for many folks, but perhaps worth the inquiry.

:thumbup:
 
one last thought, you might want to pick them up a sharp maker he doesn't have one, highly recommended by all. and easily within budget with a money or saving. I think it's a skill that every knife enthusiast should start mastering from the beginning, sharpening that is and the sharp maker's probably the easiest most effective process on the market.
 
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