- Joined
- Sep 28, 2015
- Messages
- 567
Prior to 1915, Case knives began manufacturing the Copperhead. Were they the first I can't tell you, but needless to say, the design has been around the block. Distinguished by a pocket-end bolster that is “humped” to provide the owner's pocket from the sharp tang, the Copperhead knife is sometimes referred to as the “Vietnam Knife” or the “Vietnam Copperhead” undoubtedly because it was popular with military men of that time. A handy knife that would not wear out military clothing that was already dealing with the rigors of jungle warfare (and a resupply system that was not exactly celebrated by the troops)...yeah, sign me up for one. They were readily available in the PX, and soldiers were happy to add them to their gear.
The knife “typically” would feature a main clip-point blade and a secondary pen blade. I say it “would” and I place “typically” in quotes because the Copperhead today represents a great deal of diversity in design. My AG Russell War Eagle Blades variants feature a main clip-point blade, but the secondary blade is a skinner blade of fairly equal length. I find both blades quite useful.
Other various “Copperhead” designs feature a single blade, Wharncliffe blades, “mini” versions with blades on either end, the Copperlock, which features the Copperhead bolster in a lock back design with a lone clip-point blade, and Queen's excellent 41L with a linerlock and D2 steel. That is but a few of the Copperhead designs that knife aficionados have available.
When my father passed on, the Copperhead was the knife he had in his pocket. Needless to say, nostalgia can play a heavy role in knife selection for those drawn to traditional knife designs. I purchased a Case Copperhead to carry in his honor, and I have found it to be a down-right handy blade to have along. The grind on my particular model lends itself to a variety of cutting tasks and it is both “slicey” but able to handle tougher chores that I throw at it. The pen blade makes one of the best whittling and detail work blades that I have ever had and closely clones the abilities of my favorite pen blade...the smaller blade on my Victorinox Huntsman.
The knife sits well in the pocket and fits excellently in my slip case that lets in sit within easy reach on my right hip. I am not the biggest fan of modern knives, nor pocket clips so this configuration makes outdoors work and quick access available to me without compromise.
As I have previously stated, I am quite an outdoorsman, but in a knife, I also look strongly at a blade that serves me well in the kitchen. Whether dicing up vegetables, cutting fruit, meat, or just slicing steak and chicken, I often prefer NOT to use actual kitchen knives. At the same time, I want to ensure that the knife I use is not so thin and delicate that it is useless for whittling, heavy cutting tasks, field dressing game or any number of other tasks. Versatile is the name of the game for me.
For those looking to add another useful traditional knife to their collection, especially one that can handle serious cutting tasks, the Copperhead and its cousins are worth a closer look.
As always, I look forward to hearing from others about their thoughts and experiences with the Copperhead. Keep em sharp and keep cutting!
My Copperhead\Copperlock knives:
Clockwise front top - Case Copperhead, Queen 41L, Harley Davidson Copperlock in G10, Case Copperlock with Wharncliffe blade, AG Russell War Eagle Blade Copperhead in red bone, AG Russell War Eagle Blade Copperhead in Yellow Delrin, Case Copperlock USMC, Case Mini Copperlock, Harley Davidson Case Copperlock
My home made knife slip:
The knife “typically” would feature a main clip-point blade and a secondary pen blade. I say it “would” and I place “typically” in quotes because the Copperhead today represents a great deal of diversity in design. My AG Russell War Eagle Blades variants feature a main clip-point blade, but the secondary blade is a skinner blade of fairly equal length. I find both blades quite useful.
Other various “Copperhead” designs feature a single blade, Wharncliffe blades, “mini” versions with blades on either end, the Copperlock, which features the Copperhead bolster in a lock back design with a lone clip-point blade, and Queen's excellent 41L with a linerlock and D2 steel. That is but a few of the Copperhead designs that knife aficionados have available.
When my father passed on, the Copperhead was the knife he had in his pocket. Needless to say, nostalgia can play a heavy role in knife selection for those drawn to traditional knife designs. I purchased a Case Copperhead to carry in his honor, and I have found it to be a down-right handy blade to have along. The grind on my particular model lends itself to a variety of cutting tasks and it is both “slicey” but able to handle tougher chores that I throw at it. The pen blade makes one of the best whittling and detail work blades that I have ever had and closely clones the abilities of my favorite pen blade...the smaller blade on my Victorinox Huntsman.
The knife sits well in the pocket and fits excellently in my slip case that lets in sit within easy reach on my right hip. I am not the biggest fan of modern knives, nor pocket clips so this configuration makes outdoors work and quick access available to me without compromise.
As I have previously stated, I am quite an outdoorsman, but in a knife, I also look strongly at a blade that serves me well in the kitchen. Whether dicing up vegetables, cutting fruit, meat, or just slicing steak and chicken, I often prefer NOT to use actual kitchen knives. At the same time, I want to ensure that the knife I use is not so thin and delicate that it is useless for whittling, heavy cutting tasks, field dressing game or any number of other tasks. Versatile is the name of the game for me.
For those looking to add another useful traditional knife to their collection, especially one that can handle serious cutting tasks, the Copperhead and its cousins are worth a closer look.
As always, I look forward to hearing from others about their thoughts and experiences with the Copperhead. Keep em sharp and keep cutting!
My Copperhead\Copperlock knives:
Clockwise front top - Case Copperhead, Queen 41L, Harley Davidson Copperlock in G10, Case Copperlock with Wharncliffe blade, AG Russell War Eagle Blade Copperhead in red bone, AG Russell War Eagle Blade Copperhead in Yellow Delrin, Case Copperlock USMC, Case Mini Copperlock, Harley Davidson Case Copperlock
My home made knife slip:
