What's a copperhead?

[db]

What features make a copperhead a copperhead?

 

[Bastid]

Swiping this picture from Jim Coopers Gallery (Blade747) to illustrate that they can be single or multi-bladed (usually 2) with the distinguishing hump on the front bolster.

 

[nifrand]

Heres a single blade.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Thanks guys,

I was unsure myself. I did a search and that bolster style is similar on every copperhead pattern I saw.

Take a look at the attached pic that was what lured me into the purchase of the knife above. It was taken by Mike from RCK's website. Pay particular attention to the closed views and the amount of blade that is exposed. I like it.

Coop

 

[Don Luis]

The only copperhead I have is a Japanese cheapo, got it because I liked the blade combination, razor and clip, it´s not that bad with real bone handles and decent fit and finnish, takes a good edge and holds it fairly well, though the blades are as can be expected a simple so-called "surgical steel". By its shape the razor blade somewhat contradicts the idea of the bolsters covering the kicks to prevent hurting pockets.

Now, to the question of what makes a copperhead. In my opinion it´s a single ended jack knife with a bolster designed to cover the kicks so as to make the knife pocket friendly, I guess the bolster is supposed to look like the head of the copperhead snake.

Make it a double ended jack with two such bolsters and you have a canoe.

 

[db]

Don what are you refering to as the kick? I had always thought the kick was the ledge right at the end of the edge, to prevent the blade dropping to far down when closed.When open it's almost like a mini lower guard.

 

[Don Luis]

Originally posted by db
Don what are you refering to as the kick? I had always thought the kick was the ledge right at the end of the edge, to prevent the blade dropping to far down when closed.When open it's almost like a mini lower guard.

You are totally right, I was thinking wrong or simply got the terms confused, naturally the kick is hidden inside when the knife is closed.

In the copperhead the bolster should cover the shoulder of the blade, that is, the part on the top back that meets the spring when fully open and is at a higher level than the top of the tang, in other pocket knives this part is exposed when closed and can cause damage to pockets.

Sorry, my mistake, I hope I got it right this time.

 

[tarsier]

Thanks for the pics. I had heard of this pattern, but didn't know what it was either. Good choice of blades, and what looks like a very comfortable handle.