Kopa

The Kopa is an interesting addition to the Spyderco lineup.  Like the Kiwi, it represents something of a departure from the "tactical" look shared by most Spyderco knives.  When it was introduced, Sal announced it  would be produced in small batches, each with a different handle material, and that has proven to be the case, with approximately four versions released each year.   The cocobolo scaled version, at first scheduled to be the second in the series behind a black micarta version, turned out to be the first.
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Black Micarta version - released in early April 2005
Evrina version - released late July 2005
 
Tiger Coral Version - Released late October '05.  Exceptionally pretty!
Apple Coral Version - Released February '06.  Another very pretty material!

Gold Pearl Version - Released June '06.  Very difficult to capture the depth of this material in a photo.

Turquoise Version - Released November '06.  Very pretty material.
Black Quince Version - Released April '07.  Interesting burl wood.
Mother of Pearl with Abalone accent stripes version - Released September '07.   Extremely eyecatching.
Jigged Bone,  released in January 2008, and Stacked Wood, released in April 2008
The Stacked Wood represents a "concession to reality" on Sal's part.   His original vision was stabilized stacked leather, to duplicate, to the extent possible, the look of the original K-Bar military fixed blade.  That proved impossible, the Kopa scales were just too thin for the material to have reasonable strength.  Santa Fe Stoneworks, who are responsible for some of the Kopas, suggested stacked wood as an alternative.
 
 

According to Sal, Evrina was invented by the Japanese as the perfect substitute for natural ivory when ivory became nearly impossible to acquire legally.    However Evrina ran into problems of its own, and was discontinued.  The material being used on the Kopas apparently is the last of it.   I have to admit that, despite Sals assurances and enthusiasm for it, it does not excite me.  It may simulate the density of Ivory perfectly and thus make good "signature stamps" (the purpose for which it was created) and take scrimshaw well,  but looks more like a slightly off-white plastic.

 

Sal generously offered to have Linda Karst-Stone scrim my Evrina Kopa in order to demonstrate how well this material accepts scrimshaw.  That's like someone offering to have Rembrandt paint you a picture.   Her artwork certainly brings out the best in the Evrina. 

 
Group Shot
In a departure from the ordinary, the center of the clip is cut out.
Note that while the handle is amost as big as that of the Calypso Jr., the blade is considerably smaller.
The blade is, in fact just a hair larger than that of the Kiwi but the handle is a good bit larger.
The Sambar Stag Kiwi is by Santa Fe Stoneworks
Several people have noted that the cocobolo on the Kopa is considerably lighte in color than they expected.  The photo above compares it with the cocobolo box for a 25th Anniversary Delica.
My main complaint with the Kopa is the method used to mount the clip.  Unlike the clips on most stainless Spydercos, which simply sit on the surface,  the Kopa clip sits in an oddly shaped milled recess in the right front bolster.  This makes it virtually impossible to neatly remove.