suggestions for kopa handle materials?

[markIVbigblock]

a while back sal said he was always open to suggestions for kopa handle materials so lets hear what you guys would like to see I myself would like to see some sort of yellow coral, a dino bone ( although it would most likely be very pricey ), maybe a malachite, and twisted wire fibermascus if its at all possible. so what else would you guys like to see? its probably wishful thinking but im hoping sal or tazkristi may chime in and maybe give us a heads up on the next handle materials to be released :D .

Aaron

[hawkbill]

Stag. Sambar material is more costly, but elk stag can look pretty nice.

[smcfalls13]

Ironwood.

On the lefty only Kopa. :cool:

[zenheretic]

Ironwood.

On the lefty only Kopa. :cool:
I second this choice, I want something that is tough enough that I won't flinch too much when I drop it yet still look very nice. ;)

[smcfalls13]

I second this choice, I want something that is tough enough that I won't flinch too much when I drop it yet still look very nice. ;)

That's ironwood then :p

[slick228]

How about a shiney Carbon Fiber inlay? I don't think Spyderco has every used Carbon Fiber as an inlay.

:spyder:

[zenheretic]

How about a shiney Carbon Fiber inlay? I don't think Spyderco has every used Carbon Fiber as an inlay.

:spyder:
I like that suggestion too! Has to be much stonger and cheaper maybe than the Gold Pearl.

[Mr.S]

Staghorn would be nice, but carbon fiber also.

[The Deacon]

Assuming it were on a lefty or clipless version of the Kopa...

Amber Jigged Bone - with the style of jigging used on the C27 and Kiwi, which I believe is called "peachseed". Relatively inexpensive, yet great looking, material. It would also make a great companion piece for the Kiwi and Horn. Also, by virtue of being inexpensive, it is a prime candidate for customization.

American Bison Bone - left natural, or possibly dyed, stabilized if necessary. This is a material nobody that I am aware of has explored yet. Now that bison are being raised commercially for meat, it is reasonably easy to find (there's a herd less than ten miles from me), so cost should not be prohibitive. Plus, it's as American as apple pie (perhaps even more so) and unlikely to offend any but the lunatic fringe.

Sambar Stag - this stuff may be scarce, but a dozen other manufacturers seem to be able to find it and use it because so many of the buyers who purchase higher end knives put it at or near the top of the list for desirability.

Interior mammoth ivory - pretty cafe-au-lait color, easier to find, less expensive, and more consistent in quality than the outer "bark". From what I've heard, it also scrims as well as modern ivory.

Desert Ironwood - offers a great combination of character and durability - besides it would make a nice trio with my Persian and the Kiwi Santa Fe is working on right now for me. :D

SFSW "Painted Desert" wood marquetry - particularly one of the Native American designs. I think the Kopa offers enough scale area for at least some of them. Assuming that is the case, there could even be a "series within a series" possible here, by spreading the 600 pieces over several different designs. Or perhaps as special, "Spyderco exclusive" spider and web pattern.

Black Palm - one of the most exotic looking woods. Stablized end grain of this would create a really unique look.

Coprolite - because I've got an evil streak and would take great delight in handing a knife to someone, waiting for them to ask what the scales were made of, and explaining that it was "just some old s!*#" :D Not to mention that some of it is extremely colorful.

To be honest, I would be even happier if :spyder: just made a clipless version and sold it "naked", as a canvas for customizers. I know that with the help of Bill and his crew, I'd have all of those I've mentioned, and probably a few others too, within a year. :o :D

[Mr Blonde]

I like all the stones, and Ironwood should definitely be in the line-up sometime. How about a few 'cheaper' inlays, compared to the recent and upcoming offerings (gold lip pearl and turqois)? I really like the shiny carbon fiber idea, or a nice titanium inlay with some anodizing a la CRK?

Wouter

[Carlos]

Jigged Bone

Lapis Lazuli

Giraffe Bone

[jaislandboy]

I'll vote for desert ironwood, lignum vitae, or abalone scales!

[SoCal Operator]

Quince Burl
Peel Ply CF (would feel great)
Malachite(sp?)
More micarta colors: Denim, green canvas, etc.
Tiger's Eye
Jasper

[TheKnifeCollector]

I would like to see: malachite, lapis lazuli, something purple, hematite, mammoth ivory, blood wood, Bocote wood. I also like the shiney CF idea!! That is brilliant!!

[J Smith]

Giraffe Bone or mamoth ivory.

[sal]

Two of those mentioned are slated.

This is really great input though. thanx. keep 'em coming.

I'll put in my "bid" again for a lefty version. We just shudder at the thought of not selling them. :confused:

sal

[smcfalls13]

Two of those mentioned are slated.

But which two are they? ;)

As for the lefty Kopa, I think it will sell, but it won't sell quickly, and like the rest of the Kopas, demand will be contingent on the handle material. Some have been more desirable than others.

[The Deacon]

But which two are they? ;)

As for the lefty Kopa, I think it will sell, but it won't sell quickly, and like the rest of the Kopas, demand will be contingent on the handle material. Some have been more desirable than others.I don't have any inside information, but among the ones mentioned, I'd rate Desert Ironwood, Jigged Bone, and Carbon Fiber as the top three contenders.

As for the LH issue, I still believe that a run without a clip would be appeal to a wider audience. I would guess it would, or at least should, be both less costly and less risky that way. No special tooling to mill the opposite bolster. No special clip to manufacturer in limited quantity. Rather a step, or series of steps, to be saved, and the cost of a clip and screws eliminated.

It might even be possible to "extend" a scheduled run by a hundred or two, and have the "extras" bypass the steps required to accomodate and install the clip. That would further limit exposure and risk. If they were fitted with a nice looking but relatively inexpensive (and thus expendable) scale material like jigged bone, I think they would move very well. I know where at least a couple dozen would wind up. ;) :D

[sal]

Hi Deacon,

Do I hear you saying that "no clip" would be preferred to a "lefty" model (for you), or are you suggeting the "no clip" version as an alternate that would be less of a gamble than a lefty only model?

sal

[Bodieism]

I always clip knives to my right front pocket (when I carry them with a clip) but if a Kopa where to come out with no clip I would sure buy one and probably even more than one. I really hate the way the Kopa looks when you take the clip off... its like its been scarred for life and the clip is there to cover it up. Speaking of that scar it has to look even worse for people who use it with there left hand because you'd be looking at it every time you pick it up. I agree with Deacon that a clipless version would probably appeal to a wider audience & it seems that a run of 500 shouldn't have any problems selling.

[The Deacon]

Hi Deacon,

Do I hear you saying that "no clip" would be preferred to a "lefty" model (for you), or are you suggeting the "no clip" version as an alternate that would be less of a gamble than a lefty only model?

salYes sir, I personally would prefer a "no clip" run. Simply put, if a lefty version is produced I will buy one, and put it in the display case with the rest of my Kopas. If a "no clip" run were produced then I would buy several and carry one. And if it were made with a scale material that could be easily removed without guilt, I'd be stockpiling them and shipping them off one at a time to Santa Fe.

I also honestly, and independently of my own desires, feel that it would be less of a risk than a dedicated left hand version and assume it would also be easier to create for the reasons I mentioned in my previous post.

[smcfalls13]

How well does the Kiwi sell?( not counting the Deacon, since he accounts for 20% of the market for them ;)) A clipless Kopa would probably do slightly better, due to the more utilitarian size and blade shape. The two fill similar markets.

Seems like a good idea to me :cool:

[zenheretic]

I like the thought of a clipless Kopa. It would really look classy (even though the clipped one looks great), fit well in any sort of business suit or other monkey suit a gentleman might be forced to wear. One more call out for a clipless Kopa!