tired of waiting for the copper natrix?

Lapedog said:
That’s what's kept me from wanting a copper knife. I think copper could make for very cool accents like a pivot collar or a clip or even small backspacer or standoffs. I would definitely like to see more of that.

But on most knives especially larger ones with thick handles I just think the weight would be obnoxious to carry. According to Flytanium’s website a Skyline with copper scales is

Of course YMMV, some people like the feeling of a heavy knife. 5.68(!) ounces. And the Skyline is a slim knife.
Click to expand...
I had the same experience with the Giant Mouse GM3 vs the GMP3 in bronze. The idea of a bronze knife was cool to me but the added weight vs. titanium was a deal breaker: 4.8 ounces vs. 3.2 ounces. That's a huge difference. I'd love to see more Bronze, Brass and Copper accents and backspacers but full handles make it non-functional in a knife that's intended to be a smaller carry.

I think that's why they've shrunk the Copper Natrix; if it had been done at full size, it would have broken 5 ounces. As it is, shrunk down to 2.75", it's still coming in at 3.7 ounces vs 2.9 ounces for a full sized Natrix.

Does anybody know the country of origin for the Copper Natrix? I can't seem to find it clearly defined anywhere?

EDIT: Nevermind, I found out. It's being made in China. That doesn't bode well given some of the Natrix issues that popped up during last years production. So far the couple of 2018 Chinese Kershaws I've handled have been pretty decent. Hopefully they execute the copper Natrix well for all those wanting one.
 
Last edited:
I might be better off getting a 14c28n bareknuckle, and trying to find some copper scales... but if I'm doing that I could go for any brand and maybe have an easier (cheaper) time finding copper scales.
 
I just talked to a Warranty Service Rep at Kershaw and he told me they are hoping to release the Natrix Copper sometime in September.

Just thought I'd pass that along.
 
augustus88 said:
I really don't want to derail this thread too much further by talking about CRK and Southern Grind, so this will be my last post on here mentioning anything other than the copper Natrix as mentioned by the OP.

My experience with a large Sebenza 21 was less than stellar. The lock was defective right out of the box and CRK took 2 months to fix it. The fit and finish of the repaired knife was excellent, but honestly my WE Knives are just as good if not better (parts fit tighter yet perfectly precise). Sorry, but I stand by the Copper Spider Monkey having just as good of a fit and finish as CRK or pretty darn close. The price difference is due to the over inflated price of CRK knives. Not a popular opinion on this site, but I'm just basing it off my personal experience with my Sebenza. I will agree that the CRK screws are nicer because they're not proprietary.
Click to expand...
We'll have to just differ in opinion on the precision bit. That's perfectly fine. I do agree that WE make very nice knives. (I've handled quite a few) but I stand by my statement that in order to get to the same exactness as the general CRK they'd have to take the same production steps which would simply cost additional money. In the case of WE this might be less than with Southern Grind because of local wages etc.

And yes, you might've gotten a bad one. This happens to every company. Offcourse a sample size of 1 when the amount made yearly is in the thousands doesn't exactly say much.

I have no personal experience with Southern Grind. Though I've heard nothing but good reports about them.

As for costs in building knives to the same exactness...lemme leave a (by now famous) quote by someone who knows more about producing knives than I probably ever will.

Sal Glesser wrote

High dollar knives are high dollar because they cost more to make. It might be materials (Titanium, unubtanium, etc.), it might be tolerances (Chris' has lotsa zeros after the decimal before hitting numbers), it might be labor (carving, engraving, etc.).

Sometmes those differences are difficult if not impossible for even the trained eye to detenct, generally impossible for a new student.

Just because you can't see the difference, doesn't mean it isn't there, sometimes it just means you can't see it.
biggrin.gif


sal
Click to expand...

or

Sal Glesser wrote:Hi

More profit is usually associated with higher price. That's normal. Profit is usually a percentage of sales price. To think that a high priced auto should garner the same proft as a low priced auto is not in accord with business. It might be the same percentage, but being more expensive, it will be more profit.

Unless you are a manufacturer, familiar with close tolerance manufacturing of heat treated steel & Titanium parts, you are not likely to be able to see all of the differences between one of Chris' knives and others. For example; CRK keeps 0.0005 tolerance on surface grinding. That's one sixth the thickness of a hair. Do you have the knowledsge and equipment to discover that tolerance?

In the end, it's all about trust. CRK took many years to build and maintain their repuation. Built with consistent focus. Even those trying to make a "cheaper" version must "leave out processes" or "soften their tolerance", or they will cost as much.

Rarely do you pay for the "name". That's a bullshit sales pitch made up by the ignorant claiming to offer the same for less. Money valuation between countries might offer a "deal" for a while until the money value balances, but all in all, you will get what you pay for.

sal

-----------------------------------------------------

Just because you can't see the difference doesn't mean it isn't there, it just means you can't see it.
Click to expand...
 
The copper Spider Monkey is a pretty nice knife. I’m not nuts about the clip though. You can put a three-hole Benchmade/Emerson clip on it but it doesn’t look quite right.

i.ashx


You can get a Spyderco PM2 for a decent price and put Flytanium copper scales on it. It will be pretty heavy but it’s a neat setup if you don’t mind the weight.

i.ashx
 
LX_Emergency said:
Cool. I have no problem believing this.

Yeah you lost me at the part I highlighted in Bold.
I'm sure it's a great knife. And very well done indeed.

But CRK take a lot of extra steps to ensure exactness of their fit+finish. If it would have the same level...it'd be priced the same. Especially since they're made in the same country.
Click to expand...

I disagree, only because CRK and the Sebenza specifically are rockstars in the knife world. You are not only paying for an amazing American made design, a legend, but more importantly brand name. I'm not saying spidermonkey is equivalent either, just that price doesn't always equal quality.
 
Badazzelanore said:
I disagree, only because CRK and the Sebenza specifically are rockstars in the knife world. You are not only paying for an amazing American made design, a legend, but more importantly brand name. I'm not saying spidermonkey is equivalent either, just that price doesn't always equal quality.
Click to expand...
Didn't read the rest of the thread did you?
 
LX_Emergency said:
We'll have to just differ in opinion on the precision bit. That's perfectly fine. I do agree that WE make very nice knives. (I've handled quite a few) but I stand by my statement that in order to get to the same exactness as the general CRK they'd have to take the same production steps which would simply cost additional money. In the case of WE this might be less than with Southern Grind because of local wages etc.

And yes, you might've gotten a bad one. This happens to every company. Offcourse a sample size of 1 when the amount made yearly is in the thousands doesn't exactly say much.

I have no personal experience with Southern Grind. Though I've heard nothing but good reports about them.

As for costs in building knives to the same exactness...lemme leave a (by now famous) quote by someone who knows more about producing knives than I probably ever will.



or
Click to expand...
Old thread I know... Here's another saying a fool and his money are soon parted. Im a sales man I sell insurance. If your going to pay big money for something that you can't tell is there come to me big poppa. I have all kinds of stuff for sale.
 
funky419 said:
Old thread I know... Here's another saying a fool and his money are soon parted. Im a sales man I sell insurance. If your going to pay big money for something that you can't tell is there come to me big poppa. I have all kinds of stuff for sale.
Click to expand...
Tolerances don't show visually. They do show over long term use however. Just because you can't tell the difference right now...doesn't mean you won't be able to see in another 20 years.
 
LX_Emergency said:
Tolerances don't show visually. They do show over long term use however. Just because you can't tell the difference right now...doesn't mean you won't be able to see in another 20 years.
Click to expand...
I've read your posts and quotes in this thread and agree up to a point. Costs can definitely be inflated on nothing but the brand. I won't speak on those specific examples because I own neither of them, but the business practice is a reality, and quite common. From the sounds of it CRK are the pinnacle of precision, and for what seems a decent price. Yet other brands cost far more. The added cost is nothing more than a brand and reputation.

As for the copper knife, I love it, but the weight would turn me off. Are these solid copper scales? Some sort of alloy? Plating?
 
Oh I'm totally not saying that brand name can't account for anything. It totally can account for a percentage of the price. For me as a knifemaker however when I watched the CRK tour videos and saw all the steps they were putting their parts through it made me realise there was a LOT in there that wasn't brand name. I ended up buying 2 second hand...sold one of those. Plus the fact that they're one of the very few brand names that actually sell dedicated lefthanded framelocks adds something.

As far as the Copper scaled knife. From what I understand (apart from the lockbar) the scales are copper. Not copper plated. And yes, that comes with a significant increase in weight.
 
I'm not sure about the other stuff, but I was sorta disappointed in my copper Natrix. It's a pretty knife and feels good in hand, but getting it open is not fun. It is far too stiff, and the flipper tab far too pointy. I usually two hand open the thing becaus eI don't want to use a flipper tab. I wish they have put thumb studs on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top