Spyderco Forums

Help!

I'm trying to determine the difference between these two black Kopas - the Quince and the Micarta.

I was just about convinced I liked the Quince better, and then I saw a photos of tonydahose's Quince and Micarta and liked the looks of the Micarta better. :confused:

I guess I'd love to see more photos of both and understand how they differ?

The black quince is actually a natural material (wood) whereas the micarta is a man made material that is not found in nature. I think that's the main primary difference. If I am wrong, I am sure someone else will be along to correct me.

One is wood, in this case quince burl, which has been stained black. Like most burl woods the pattern will vary from one specimen to another, but will generally be a mixture of swirls and other random patterns. The other is linen micarta, a composite material made by saturating layers of cloth with phenolic resin. The weave pattern of the "tan" linen shows through the black dividing it into little squares. The layer lines are also visible when it is rounded.

[CENTER]

[/CENTER]

For a Kopa sized knife, I like the Quince.

Another shot, with a Carbon Fiber Kopa thrown in for good measure...

[CENTER][/CENTER]

Left to right: Black Micarta, Black Quince, Carbon Fiber

i can't say anything else about the 2 kopas that Paul hasn't said already. if you want more info on any of the kopas, goto the bottom of this page and click on spyderco.com. in the top right corner is the search button, type in kopa and it will bring a list of all the variations and then you can click on each one to read about it.

Showoffs..... :mad:

This was very helpful information - particularly the three together.

In the end, I think I'd like handles that smooth, glossy, and without a pattern - like an onyx or something. But maybe if I could see one in person I'd feel differently. So hard to decide. :o

Rolex John wrote:This was very helpful information - particularly the three together.

In the end, I think I'd like handles that smooth, glossy, and without a pattern - like an onyx or something. But maybe if I could see one in person I'd feel differently. So hard to decide. :o

Among the production Kopas, the white Evrina has no pattern at all. In black ones, the micarta is the closest to solid black. Black Onyx or Jet would definitely be solid black and solid black Corian may be available as well, if you want to go custom.

I waited for a long time, I knew I would buy only one Kopa (so many other knives that tempt me), so it had to be one that I liked a lot. Of course, they are all attractive, and yet I am happy with my Giraffe Bone variant.

Yes, Giraffe Bone is +1!

The Deacon wrote:Among the production Kopas, the white Evrina has no pattern at all. In black ones, the micarta is the closest to solid black. Black Onyx or Jet would definitely be solid black and solid black Corian may be available as well, if you want to go custom.

Yep...thinking I might go custom. We'll see once my Pacific Blue arrives. :D