Kopa Question

[Frank_Zuccarini]

I think that I have a simple question regarding the Kopas.

The first two issues, the Cocobolo and Black Micarta, seem to have the scale inserts pinned in place. The subsequent issues show no mechanical attachment.

I do not currently own a Kopa, but in deciding what variety will be my first, I was wondering how the current issue inserts are attached, and if this should make any difference to me in terms of functionality or durability. Are they glued, screwed from the inside, or what?

Thanks for any and all input.

Frank

[zenheretic]

My guess is some sort of industrial strength glue. Likely the evrina, micarta, and cocobolo are the most durable, based on the nature of the materials.

[The Deacon]

I agree with Zen, the Evrina and Black Quince should be every bit as durable as the Micarta and Cocobolo. If anything, perhaps even more so, since pinned scales of wood and some other natural materials have been known to crack and split over time due to expansion and contraction. That said, I'll admit I prefer the traditional look of pinned scales.

[Frank_Zuccarini]

So, are we guessing that it has nothing to do with the nature of the actual insert but, rather, the development (or embracing) of a newer adhesive?

I have also found that pinned scales sometimes crack at the pin. Glued just 'sounds' inferior, even though I'm sure that Spyderco has determined that it is acceptable.

Still, it seems odd that over the course of just several months, the method of attachement was changed. It makes the series look a little bit discontinuous. Personally, I would have chosen one method or the other and stuck with it throughout the series.

Thanks for your help, guys.

Frank

[ozspyder]

It does seem odd doesn't it Frank to see the different types of fixings on the same knife series. And I agree with you that the word glue doesn't seem to be as solid as mechanically pinning it down.

Having said that, there are many high rise buildings, retaining walls, and anchors that rely solely on building grade/ industrial strength adhesives and they manage to withstand a lot of temperature variation, movement and loading.

I do like the look of the pins (maybe it's because there are more shiny bits making it look more blinged up :) ), but as Paul mentioned, the durability of the materials and the adhesives used are to Spyderco's exacting standards and thus should not be a problem whatsoever.

Cheers
Dan

[The Deacon]

I'd guess that with the Evrina, the idea was to allow the maximum uninterupted surface for scrimming. With the stone, coral, and shell ones pinned may very well be impractical. But I have no idea why they did not revert to pins for the black quince, and am still hoping against all reasonable hope, that the jigged bone will be pinned.

[Frank_Zuccarini]

The UPS guy just now delivered my Quince Kopa.

Man.............what a nice knife!!!

I love the look, size, feel, grind, fit and steel of this knife. I would prefer it without the clip (I think that I'll just remove it, and replace the screws), but it is a spectacular knife. Most definately my number one dress and/or polite company knife. It's easy to see why these are so collectable.

I agree that pins would not work well for stone, coral or shell, but they just seem appropriate for wood.

Maybe Spyderco did not anticipate using 'difficult to pin' materials at the onset, and so used pins initially for the wood and wood-like materials. Found that glue worked well for the mineral scales, and then just stuck with it (no pun intended).

Thanks again for all the input, folks.

Frank

[whitefeather]

alas....I don't think you will be pleased with the appearance of your Kopa without a clip. The clip is actually recessed into the bolster. Removing the clip results in a rather unfinished look.
Enjoy your Kopa. I have the Micarta and the Quince. I carry the Micarta but I think I'm going to keep the Quince NIB as a gift for my Son someday. :)

[Frank_Zuccarini]

Boy, were you ever right about my not being pleased about the appearance of the Kopa without the clip! It looks like crap with that recess in the bolster. And, Spyderco used phillips head screws, instead of allen or torex heads. Seems chinzy, for such a nice knife.

I vaguely remember that someone on this or another forum actually had the recess filled and finished flush with the remainder of the bolster. I'm not sure that I'm ready for so drastic a step. Oh well, maybe the clip will grow on me. It certainly is a beautiful, useful knife.

Frank

[The Deacon]

Boy, were you ever right about my not being pleased about the appearance of the Kopa without the clip! It looks like crap with that recess in the bolster. And, Spyderco used phillips head screws, instead of allen or torex heads. Seems chinzy, for such a nice knife.

I vaguely remember that someone on this or another forum actually had the recess filled and finished flush with the remainder of the bolster. I'm not sure that I'm ready for so drastic a step. Oh well, maybe the clip will grow on me. It certainly is a beautiful, useful knife.

Frank

Yep, it does look pretty nasty without the clip.

As for the other, that was probably me you're remembering. I had the screw holes filled and bolster ground down to remove the divot on this Cocobolo one earlier this year.

[CENTER][/CENTER]

The bolster still has a bit of a wallow in it, but looks a hundred times better than the the gully left when the clip is removed, as seen in this "before" shot of the same knife...

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[Frank_Zuccarini]

Yes Paul, that's the Kopa that I recall. Thanks for showing us again.

It is a vast improvement, if still an imperfect solution for those who don't want the clip.

The colour of the before vs the after Cocobolo varies quite a bit. Can you tell me, which is closer to the actual wood colour? I'm guessing that the 'after' shot is the truer shade.

Thanks for sharing...................Frank

[scout]

I have recently had some quince scales come off(both sides) I'm sending it off soon. I'll let y'all know whats up

[The CoPilot]

I have recently had some quince scales come off(both sides) I'm sending it off soon. I'll let y'all know whats up

Scout, did the glue on the quince scales let go? Take some pics of the back side of those scales so we can see what holds them to the knife.

[Slick]

Glue verses pinned...

I have an electric guitar with glued on frets. No really, surface mounted without any other attachment. The frets are not set at all, just glued to the fret board. HARD stainless steel that can not be worked like traditional fret wire. I've had it for several years and the frets are rock solid. A bit bright but the frets are totally solid. A good glue job will exceed design requirements. Modern technology has upended my preconceived biases.

Now I have a new (updated) set of biases. The new glues rock.

[The Deacon]

Another possibility is that the scales are held on with industrial strength double sided tape. IIRC, Chris Reeves uses that method to mount their inlays.

[MAT888]

I would like the co. come up with a solution for the clip hole. Maybe something simular like Boker did with their Turbine;

http://www.messerforum.net/showthread.php?t=34069

They made a little steelplate that fits in the hole when the clip is dismounted and screwed in the threads for the clip.

[sal]

On the glue, some materials lend themselves to pins other not as well.

Modern adhesives are quite remarkable. The frame of the Lotus Elise is glued together. No bolts.

on the "clip pad", I can look into it. It would require new tooling for the scale and clip. I would be curious as to how many would really want the change?

We've also talked in the past about a left hand version done in one handle material. the whole run being lefty. ???

What about one run with no clip pad and no clip?

Any interest in an FRN version?

sal

[The Deacon]

What about one run with no clip pad and no clip?

Sal, that's been my stated preference since the Kopa was first introduced

Any interest in an FRN version?

FRN scales with the regular Kopa bolsters, or FRN slabs. Not really keen on either, myself, but imagine both would find an audience.

[MAT888]

I would be interested in a clipless Kopa . So with nice bolsters without ugly threatholes.
I see the Kopa as a small gentleman's folder.

On work knives and large folders clips are fine with me but small folders just get pocket dumped with or without clip. :D

A nice wood or even the quince or cocobola version clipless would be awesome.

I understand that the "boker system" i suggested would mean some remodelling of the clip and maybe the bolsters . It was just an idea but i think it would not work with the Kopa clip as it is today.

[whitefeather]

+1 for a clipless Kopa

not sure about FRN