Spyderco Kopa owners: F&F question

enderwiggin · Dec 29, 2009

I've noticed there is a pretty sizable drop from where the lock face begins to the where the blade begins on my Spyderco Kopa.

This is the 2nd one I've ordered, and both of them have had this drop-off between the level of the backspacer and the base of the blade.

If you can't see what I'm talking about, here's a Caly 3 for comparison:

The base of the blade is perfectly level with the backspacer.

So, my question is this: Are all of the Kopas like the two I have?

Am I being overly picky?

ZippoThisKnifeThat · Dec 29, 2009

I don't own any myself but I would place this thread in the Spyderco sub forum. You will most likely receive an immediate response.

unit · Dec 29, 2009

I will check mine tonight if my wife has not already sent it back for exchange (cracked/separating scale).

hoopster · Dec 29, 2009

The one I bought as a Christmas gift for my Father-in-law (abalone/pearl) had the same thing. It's hard to tell from the pictures if yours are worse or the same but it was noticeable. I'm not sure why they're like that but don't think it will affect anything. Maybe someone else can better comment on that.

cgmblade · Dec 29, 2009

I don't have one, but I bet it's intentional. When the knife is closed does it fit flush? Due to the design of the knife it was probably going to be off either open or closed. Wait and see what others have to say, but I doubt it's a problem.

unit · Dec 29, 2009

cgmblade said:
I don't have one, but I bet it's intentional. When the knife is closed does it fit flush? Due to the design of the knife it was probably going to be off either open or closed. Wait and see what others have to say, but I doubt it's a problem.

Take a look at the photos again. I think he is referring to the union between the lock and the blade. i.e. the choil should perhaps seem to flow seamlessly into the lock bar instead of having that "step". (no such fit will exist when the knife is closed)

You seem to be referring to the fit between the lock and the liner/frame...I had not even noticed that before your comment.

This is not intended as a nit-pick.

cgmblade · Dec 29, 2009

unit said:
You seem to be referring to the fit between the lock and the liner/frame...I had not even noticed that before your comment.

This is not intended as a nit-pick.

NO, I could be wrong, but I think when it's closed the tang of the blade, that we now see engaging the lock bar, will fit flush with the other side of the knife.

In the first picture you can see the OP's index finger kinda in the choil. In the second picture the choil is more visible. The part of the tang that engages the lock when open will fit into that choil area when closed.

JMO, like I said, I don't have one. Spyderco F&F is usually pretty good. There could be a problem, but I'd like to see some more pictures and hear from some folks more knowledgeable than me before assuming there's a defect.

Sal Glesser · Dec 29, 2009

Hi Enderwiggen,

The makers in Seki do not use belts for finishing, only hard wheels. So they can't use the small wheels that we use with belts in this country.

As a result, when we have a "hump" for the opening hole, the arc is too small to get a hard wheel in there for finishing so they leave a step between the lock bar and the spine of the back of the tang.

All of the Kopa's will be that way.

Sorry about the crack.

sal

DennisStrickland · Dec 29, 2009

it is really great when the king knife man responds so soon on the forum . how can we go wrong with a person whom stays on top of his products so thouroghly.

enderwiggin · Dec 30, 2009

Sal Glesser said:
Hi Enderwiggen,

The makers in Seki do not use belts for finishing, only hard wheels. So they can't use the small wheels that we use with belts in this country.

As a result, when we have a "hump" for the opening hole, the arc is too small to get a hard wheel in there for finishing so they leave a step between the lock bar and the spine of the back of the tang.

All of the Kopa's will be that way.

Sorry about the crack.

sal

Mr. Glesser, thank you very much for the quick response! So the step down between the lock bar and the blade tang is normal. Good to know.

Otherwise it's a beautiful little knife.

DennisStrickland said:
it is really great when the king knife man responds so soon on the forum . how can we go wrong with a person whom stays on top of his products so thouroghly.

Couldn't agree more. Only 8 posts in, and Mr. Glesser himself is here to answer the question. I can't say I'm surprised, but still impressed nonetheless

ZippoThisKnifeThat said:
I don't own any myself but I would place this thread in the Spyderco sub forum. You will most likely receive an immediate response.

Not sure why I didn't think of that, but thanks. Will do in the future.