Scale Materials for potential Kopa run

[bh49]

The Man asked a question about materials for potential Kopa run(s)

The Kopa was designed to explore varieties of handle materials. The project was halted because the maker was not able to work with the materials that we wanted.

So just for the sake of discussion; let's create a list of materials that could be possible.

sal

My wish: natural materials: woods (treated, if necessary), bones, stag, corals. I really want malachite and olive wood.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Based on what I see in the Kopa design, a combination of Olive Wood with some gemstone would be great. Good point, bh49.

[The Deacon]

As I just posted in the other thread, my choice would be natural material.

Stabilized woods:
Masur Birch
Snakewood
Lacewood
Birdseye Maple
Desert Ironwood
Curly Maple
Curly Koa

Animala byproducts:
Camel bone
Bison bone
Sambar Stag
Shed elk antler
Rams horn
Buffalo horm
Bison horn
Stabilized alligator, crocodile, armadillo skin

Stone:
Malachite
Lapis Lazuli
Yule Marble (Colorado's State Rock)

[Larry_Mott]

Basically what he said ^^
Loads of beautiful timbers to choose from, and endless varietys of inlays possible. Mammoth ivory would be great, as would horn, both black and brown/honey opaque
Bone would maybe be too close to the camel bone / Pacific Blue original Kopas to be really interesting?
Maybe a flame colored ti scale would be nice too?

[tvenuto]

I'm a huge fan of wood. Cocobolo was great due to it's distinctive red color. I really like desert ironwood and lignum vitae. There are also a bunch of interesting looking burls out there, but I don't love the dyed versions.

I also thought the CF inlay "worked" from a visual perspective, so there's any number of nice "tech" materials that you could do. C-tech comes to mind, although I don't know if the metal cell material can poke out of the polymer.

Bone/horn is classic, of course, and the camel bone Kopa was among my favorites. I've never liked the look of jigged bone, though.

Just some musings, I didn't really look into what is possible.

[demoncase]

So many nice woods to choose from BUT: a well-figured classic high-grade walnut would be favourite.
Nicely oiled up like a classic English shotgun stock.....Plus there's plenty to be found from stockmakers.....Amazed it's not come up before.

Olivewood is great with a bit of figure....but I've seen plenty that's that's plain and little 'Ikea' in it's colouration.

Bone and other stuff from animals I'm not so big on....other of pearl is always a treat, but it's been done before in the Kopa.

[Cujobob]

Burls. Just about any of 'em with good figuring.

[SpyderNut]

Off the top of my head, here are some of my favorite woods (in no particular order):

1. Purple heart
2. Osage orange
3. Snakewood
4. Padauk
5. Zebra wood
6. Leopard wood
7. Bird's eye maple

[jerryh]

Not to forget the original string that started this discussion was -- the making of a Damascus Kopa to which I 'believe' --

"sal wrote:
Hi Jerry,
I must say that we have gotten some very nice samples from them recently and so I'm thinking positively.
sal"


Deacon covered it well -- truth is there are numerous wood, animal, stone materials options -- cut, polished, died -- the list is long.
Not to mention the possibility of Custom bolsters --
I tend to prefer organic type scale material.
Deacon mentioned armadillo - I made armadillo scales for a North American arms pistol I have, they look 'great'.

Me, I would love to have a Damascus Kopa with Mammoth tusk scales.

Regards, Jerry

[bpahk]

I'd also like to see some stabilized highly figured exotic wood scales.

[ronT2]

Nothing would convince me to pry my wallet open faster than a Damascus Kopa with cocobolo, burl or some other medium to dark colored wood with a unique grain. Snake wood and leopard wood also look very interesting.

[3rdGenRigger]

+1 for natural materials. Great suggestions thus far, and I'll certainly buy a couple at least.

[Able Dog]

Wood wood wood!

Any of the woods suggested so far are nice. Perhaps a bird's eye maple could be added to the list.

[Larry_Mott]

This is my Tenacious with Thuja burl scales, a Kopa would be deadly with thuja scales IMO :)

[NoFair]

I love Osage if it is cut right. It also doesn't need to be stabilized and ages beautifully.

[jerryh]

Nothing would convince me to pry my wallet open faster than a Damascus Kopa with cocobolo, burl or some other medium to dark colored wood with a unique grain. Snake wood and leopard wood also look very interesting.

I'm right there with ya Ron!

I second all these folks who are speaking to natural materials for the scales --- of course, that's why they make chocolate and vanilla -- not to mention, once the wheels of the mfg process starts -- ya just never know what might be developed.

Maybe even a different Damascus technique than the current Damascus type --- make the Kopa's Damascus unique (bronze, silver and gold versions, not literal)


Regards, Jerry

[tvenuto]

I personally think the focus should be on the scales, not the blade, so I'm not a big fan of damascus on these. But that's just me.

For the scales, I think some Mokume would be awesome. Here's an example in the bolster:

[jerryh]

I personally think the focus should be on the scales, not the blade, so I'm not a big fan of damascus on these. But that's just me.

For the scales, I think some Mokume would be awesome. Here's an example in the bolster:

Certainly scales enhance the beauty of any knife. I haven't even collected some of the beautifully scaled Kopas that are already are to be had. Making more of the same Kopa with new scales would appeal to some folks no doubt. As bolsters the Mokume looks great. Would your Kopa have Mokume between the Kopa's bolsters or just solid Mokume without bolsters?

Regards, Jerry

[paladin]

...armadillo skin...

please hold the leprosy on mine :eek:

bubinga

an all stainless Kopa like the all stainless Kiwi would be nice for engraving

or solid Damasteel handles like the blade on the 40th Anniv. Native

"Soup Bone" like this:




Stag has been mentioned, for good reason, I'll second that motion :D

Fancy Jigged Bone

Meteorite

Mammoth Bark <is it still legally available?> :confused:

CrazyCTek

Curly Koa is stunning in person, I'm gonna try to upload a vid when I get a chance

Amber with insect, SPIDER, or other critter embedded

Quartersawn Oak

Reclaimed Hickory Chestnut or Elm

Fly's Eye Carbon Fiber

[tvenuto]

Certainly scales enhance the beauty of any knife. I haven't even collected some of the beautifully scaled Kopas that are already are to be had. Making more of the same Kopa with new scales would appeal to some folks no doubt. As bolsters the Mokume looks great. Would your Kopa have Mokume between the Kopa's bolsters or just solid Mokume without bolsters?

Regards, Jerry

I was thinking between the bolsters, since the Mokume does look a bit like wood (which I think is the meaning of Mokume). Given the design of the Kopa, a Mokume bolster might get prohibitively expensive/complicated. It would be difficult or impossible to hide the pin due to the pattern as well. I think between the bolsters as the featured material is the best option.

And I can appreciate those who like Damascus blades, it's just never been my thing. To me it's like...chrome plating your tires. I'm all about features that make it more functional, but any sort of dress up is unnecessary and will likely be scratched up in use.