Kopa...who edc's one & scale durability

[Kapow]

I've been oogling the Kopa for many months, it looks to be the right folder for many of my potential applications. I was just wondering...how are these holding up for those that are regularly carrying one. I'm sure the safe queens are holding up fine, I'm talking to those that are utilizing this knife. I don't see the Abalone or Turquoise scales being durable enough to be in my edc rotation. It's inevitible for one of my knives to hit the deck, ground, concrete, while being used. My FRN and G10 scaled knives are durable and can withstand the unintentional bounce. Is anyone edc'ing the Kopa? How are your scales holding up?

[Doc Pyres]

I used to edc a Turquoise Kopa quite a lot at work. I haven't carried it for a while because there are so many other Spydies begging for my attention. :D But the scales were rock solid, no pun intended. Admittedly, I never dropped it on concrete. I'm pretty careful with my knives, so YRMV, but I think the Kopas are quite durable. The lovely bolsters on the polished ones do get scratched, but that's no big deal. The models with pinned scales such as the jigged bone or cocobolo may be even more durable.

[ozspyder]

Hi Kapow,

I EDC Micarta and Cocobolo Kopas all the time ! In tandem with whatever large or medium sized folder in my pockets. I find that they are durable enough for my usage in everyday situations. Admittedly I don't take them bush bashing, but the often accompany me to the range and they hold up fine. In fact I am shooting in a 2 day open IPSC comp this weekend - Day 1 just finished and Day 2 tomorrow. Running around crouching, kneeling etc. Haven't used it to cut anything but I do take it out occcasionally to fondle. The scales stay on no issues thus far. I have EDC'd one in my pocket every for about 2 year. Dropped them a few times no problems... dropped on carpet, on bricks, concrete, grass... a quick dust off, a few character scratches... knife still works fine, scales still on :D

The Kopas come out to play usually when I have smaller and finer cutting tasks to do. Any harder tasks my medium or large folders come out. The Kopas are gentleman's knives and not really designed to be taken to war ravaged countries to be used for utility duties... so it really depends what you are going to use them for :p

They are expensive for a little tiny knife, but the cost is in the workmanship and limited run of 600 each release. If you are going to use it hard I would recommend you choose a folder with a G10 or FRN scale (just to be sure :D )

[The Deacon]

On a relative scale of durability, I'd consider the Carbon Fiber, Black Micarta, and Evrina to be the most durable. Just below them would be any of the bone ones, the Cocobolo, and the Black Quince. Least durable would be the stone, shell, and stacked wood. That said, the Kopa is a bolster and scales "gentleman's folder" and, as such, even the most durable scale materials will respond more poorly to abuse than a "tactical" folder would. Scars that can be passed off as badges of honor on a hard use tactical folder are merely signs of carelessness on a gent's knife.

[Kapow]

Durability of the scales considered, I'm thinking Carbon Fiber is my choice for the next acquisition. I've never intentionally "thrashed" a knife, unintentionally broken a tip off of a Spyderco, or misused a knife to scar or break it. I'm picturing a scene where the Turquoise Kopa is deployed (beautiful knife by the way), a slip up...a fumble...knife scale meets concrete in a most unfortunate strike angle... I've got a rotation for most applications, a gents folder is the next piece to the puzzle.

[bh49]

I carry Kopa Cocobolo for over two years already. Never dropped it, trying to be careful with my knife. Once I forgot it in the glove compartment for a few days, where Kopa got banged with few other objects. There were no visible damage on the wood, but bolsters got scratched badly. It took just few minutes to fix with 1000 grit sandpaper.
You will enjoy this knife. CF is a good choice of scales, especially considering today prices. I wasn't crazy about it when I got it, but this knife is growing on me and I regret that I didn't buy two of them.
Good luck

[Pneumothorax]

I only carry my Abalone/Pearl Kopa for dress occaisions where Im in suit or very dressy dinner, etc. Ive managed to scratch the bolsters, but no damage to the scales. I did, however, do one of the more STUPID things with it which irks me to no end. I was at work and fooling around with rotating grip from regular to reverse grip...and dropped it - tip down on the floor which is concrete under crappy thin carpet. Dinged the tip and deformed it a bit. I managed to sharped most of the ding out, but you can tell the tip is tweaked. So, so, so, so STUPID. I see it everytime I look at it. I wonder if it can be fixed...

[FLymon]

I have a Black Quince model that I have carried 2-3 days a week for about a year. It has held up fine for me, but I am not very hard on it either.
It's a great little knife that I would hate to be without.

[Ed Gordon]

I picked up a stacked wood Kopa as this was the one I liked the look of the best. No worries in terms of durability. I carry it for work all the time and it performs great. These are nice knives in the classic Spyderco style....

[dsmegst]

I got the CF Kopa, mainly because of the price and I've been on a CF run lately. I've carried it for a bit and it worked well. Either the Kopa or the Kiwi will be what I carry on dressy occasions.