Recommendation? Lockback W/ Copper Bolster

D

dryflytrout

Joined
Jan 15, 2017
Messages
293
So I was looking through some knives and saw the Rough Rider Copperstone lockback. I really like the look of it but I'm not sure about the 440A steel they use. I've never actually owned anything with 440A. From all I've read about it I may never, and I don't think I'll be missing much. But it just looks so good IMO.
So I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a similar knife with better steel, please.
If you're not familiar with the RR Copperstone, it's a 3" folder with a clip point, copper bolsters, synthetic scale material, and the rose colored blade coating. I'm not sure if the rose coating is too much to ask for or not, but that would be great also. If not I realize I can't have everything all the time.
 
For all that they make some cheapo blades, I like the look of that synthetic/composite stone material.
 
Ka-bar makes some traditionals with copper bolsters.
Kabar coppersmith lockback:
D2 blade steel, copper bolster and shield, root beer bone.
510XU9Xe6HL._SL1500_.jpg

They get good reviews on here and take a Beautiful patina.
 
I like that Kabar but it has bone scales and I'd really rather not have anything made from an animal. I know I said synthetic scales in my OP, but wood or stone is ok too. Bone and horn isn't my thing.
 
dryflytrout said:
I like that Kabar but it has bone scales and I'd really rather not have anything made from an animal. I know I said synthetic scales in my OP, but wood or stone is ok too. Bone and horn isn't my thing.
Click to expand...
You know that most flies are made from animal hair, right?
Grizzly for hackle, Elk hair caddis, hares ear nymph, emerger, and Plenty more.
(This is about fly fishing, for those that don't do so.)

That being said, the animals aren't harvested for their bone for knife scales. They are often the byproduct of the food industry, when bone is being spoken about. So I wouldn't worry about it. You aren't supporting the predation of animals solely for knives, but you are actually helping to have Less of the animal go to waste.

That being said, you can purchase the knife and have it rehandled in Micarta, G10, or any other material you wish.
 
NJBillK said:
That being said, the animals aren't harvested for their bone for knife scales. They are often the byproduct of the food industry, when bone is being spoken about. So I wouldn't worry about it. You aren't supporting the predation of animals solely for knives, but you are actually helping to have Less of the animal go to waste.
Click to expand...

This. Without getting all tree huggy and weird, I have similar concerns, but love bone scales.
In fact, my Case with blue bone is in my pocket right now. That Zebu cow was going to die anyway. Why not make the most of every part. It's conservation and utilization of resources at its finest.

It's also likely a more environmentally sound production than the synthetic scales if you think about the materials and processes used to make those...
 
19-3ben said:
It's also likely a more environmentally sound production than the synthetic scales if you think about the materials and processes used to make those...
Click to expand...
I didn't even think of this aspect...
Think of all of the oils, and other petroleum products used to make synthetic plastic scales.
G10 is a polymer resin and 10% (well, 7% - 14%) glass fiber.
Acrylic is often needed to dry and cool overnight, or up to 48 hours, with off gassing of hazardous gaseous matter being expelled. While it is filtered, those filters have to be replaced and disposed of.

Who makes the filters, who disposes of them (and how)? How do they run the plant that makes the acrylic? What fuels the electric plant that powers the plant, carbon based fuels most likely...
----
What I am getting at, is that, while I understand your stance, and where you are coming from, having a broader spectrum of input, and making a more informed decision can have you actually being more welcomed to the thought of:
A) giving the animal more of a life than is now lost, by living through you and your uses.
B) By using the animal to its potential, and being appreciative of said animal, it.is actually being shown More respect than one that was just burnt for disposal.
C) By using a bone handled knife, you are actually drawing yourself closer to said animal by having more.of a connection with it.


Just because we use something, doesn't mean we are taking advantage of it... But, by pumping pollutant into the air, we are taking advantage of our planet.
 
op why not just buy the rough rider? their 440a or 7cr17mov or whatever chinese equivalent to be closer to 440a.....isnt all that bad. i have a handful of rough riders and they are not bad for their low price points. sure probably not good collectibles for impressing or future investment return, but decent users.
 
Rough rider does a decent job with their steel and for the use most put a traditional through its fine, especially for about 12$
IMHO though if you can afford it the ka-bar is a beautiful knife that is probably miles ahead.
I'm not sure why you don't want to have bone scales, but think of it this way.
Native Americans believed in using every last part of an animal they killed , cattle is raised and killed for food but at least a part of them can live on through their bones used in knife handles.
 
D dryflytrout
For informational purposes, most stag, and antler is often taken from shed antlers, after the rut.
Once the mating season (rut) is over, having antlers is quite a burden on the animals (deer, elk, moose, caribou, et al), so they shed their antlers. Some males will concentrate so much on breeding that they will starve during/after the rut, all for the for the chance to procreate.

Those that survive, do so without their antlers. This way the caloric intake goes to survival, not antler growth that will do no good in the "off season".

I do not know about Rams horn, and other animals that maintain their horns when not in rut. I would think that those come from hunted or farmed animals.

That being said, I would put stag and other naturally dropped antlers back on the "OK" list.

To be fair, it might be possible that every set of stag and antler handles came from a nice, caring, free range zoo, where the animals have enough food and shelter with armed/guarded protection from predation.

Not likely, but possible.
;):D
 
I'm actually really interested in this thread, so I look forward to seeing how it develops.

Options for synthetic + copper is a tall order. It's not QUITE what you were looking for, but Buck has done runs of the 110 with copper bolsters and C-Tek scales in S30v steel. It's a gorgeous knife, traditional lock back, copper bolster and synthetic scales, so it's pretty much everything you wanted except that it's more of a belt knife due to size. Not a small pocket knife. If you can forego the requirement for synthetic, the Kabar copper dog's head listed above is going to be a better bet.
If synthetic is a sticking point and you'd be ok with a traditional belt folder, it's hard to imagine one nicer than this. You'd have to dig around though as I dont see any current production one available on the usual retail sites.

(Image taken from someone on a Google Images search)

11201662_1829334393957891_1004897930_n.jpg
 
That 110 is pretty nice. I'm not against a larger folder, in fact I had a 110 on my belt today. I also have another 110 I haven't carried yet. While I like them I'd like to try something different. I have couple fixed blades I carry with a 4" blade too. They all just seem bigger than I really need. LOL I want something smaller and it's a good enough excuse to buy another knife.
 
The kabar is a sweet knife but if you're really opposed to bone and still want some copper check out the otter mercator. It's a back locking knife and they have a version with a copper handle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top