Something of a Grail!

black mamba

black mamba

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Oct 21, 2009
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Today I received a pocket knife that is something of a grail for me. It is a Case #0200WH SS, what would commonly be called a Copperhead Wharncliffe Trapper. It is covered in gorgeous green jigged burnt bone and has unpolished (as ground) hollow ground blades. Tang stamp on the clip master dates this one from 1989, and there is also a "1st ISSUE" tang stamp on the Wharncliffe blade.

CopperheadWTopen_zpsad096599.jpg~original


I just like everything about this pattern, from the blade choices to the copperhead bolster to the 3.96" closed length and the green burnt bone. Both blades are nicely and thinly ground, and took fantastic edges. No gaps of any kind between springs or covers and liners when held up to strong sunlight. The action was a little gummy when it arrived, normal for a NOS knife of 24 years, but after cleaning the W&T is excellent and the pulls are both a 5 to 6. the spines of both blades are dead even when closed, and the tips of both blades are properly down in their respective wells. The only negative is that both blades when open are underbladed to the backsprings, although the springs are flush when both open and closed. This is really a very fine Case knife, even though coming from their "off" era.

CopperheadWTclosed_zpsac0029bf.jpg~original
 
Very nice Jeff and for what it's worth, I think far far too much emphasis is placed on underblading. I wouldn't let it bother me in the least. That'll make a great carry knife.
 
Agreed Ed, not something to spend even 1 second wondering about, but wanted to be accurate in my review.

Todd, what is the model number stamped on yours? I have three knives with this same copperhead frame, and they all have different numbers.
This one is 0200, my blue Wharncliffe and pen is 6249 and my trapper blade configuration is 6200.
 
Excellent knife!

Is it just me, or is that clip blade pointer than the current ones?
I sure do like it.

CA71020.jpg
 
Frank, I believe it's from the as-ground blades. They have sharper edges, even the spine, than any of the tumble polished ones.

I like this blade finish MUCH better!
 
When the blade is opened, the spine of the blade contacts the frame below, or under the spring, instead of being level with it.
 
black mamba said:
Todd, what is the model number stamped on yours? I have three knives with this same copperhead frame, and they all have different numbers.
This one is 0200, my blue Wharncliffe and pen is 6249 and my trapper blade configuration is 6200.
Click to expand...
Jeff, I saw a wharncliffe and got excited and jumped the gun. Mines a 6249w (pen/wharncliffe) just like your blue one. Sorry for the confusion. :foot:
 
That configuration make a fine carry knife indeed!!
The "copperhead bolster" hides the tangs, and saves your pocket, and makes it comfortable to hold and use!
Knice knife!!:D
 
Congrats on the grail find.I was looking for that exact knife last night (or something close in color)but only found a blue boned with pen secondary example so it's funny to me that you post this beauty today.
Thanks for the review,now I have a new grail.:rolleyes: :)
 
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That's a beauty, congrats! :thumbup:

I think it was your wharncliffe Copperhead in blue bone that got me looking for one, it's a sweet knife too.
 
There is nothing to not like about that. Congrats, she's a beauty.
 
Nice find, Jeff! I know you've been wanting some of the other companies to make a knife like this for a while now. I can certainly understand why after seeing this one. I also have to agree with you about the blade finish. The 'as ground' is a nicer look than tumbled or polished, especially on a user IMHO.

I think Frank might be right about the different clip blades. If nothing else, the nail nick has been moved. In the picture he posted, it looks to be further out toward the tip and parallel with the spine where yours appears parallel with the edge.
 
Thanks, zippo, Mack and Dan. I've always been a clip guy, and I especially like the nick centered on the "peak" and parallel with the edge, not the spine. They just open more easily for me. Now with a cut swedge, I prefer a long pull from the cut back to the plunge.
 
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