Cobra Steel Kopis (Also best bang for your buck "sword")
Dec 10, 2018 15:13:38 GMT
Post by cearball on Dec 10, 2018 15:13:38 GMT
Hi everyone!
Not sure if this necessarily belongs here as it isn't a strict review but rather a little bit of info on the Cobra steel Kopis which I couldn't find much hands on info for on this site.
So a bit of background, I have collected swords for about 17 years & mainly just dry handle them & have no form of training in a sword art. Therefore take my observations as you will.
So firstly I feel that these Cobra Steel blades are windlass answer to the cold steel machete.
The only CS machete I have handled is the magnum kukri & if I had to choose between the Kopis & the kukri I would pick the Kopis hands down but bear in mind that is without actually using/testing either.
The Kopis is from thicker stock & seems to be reasonably heat treated with a better scabbard in my opinion.
It runs in the UK at about £60 compared to the the CS machete that is around £40 (both of these prices are including tax & shipping) so for the extra £20 the cobra steel line seems like a no brainer to me at least.
Some pics compared to my "shortie collection"
At first I wasn't sure if the Kopis had enough of a curve/angle like my other Kukris however upon putting them side by side I was pleasantly surprised by the curvature. The main difference is the more "hatchet like" feel of my Kukris which I mainly think is down to their thicker blade stock.
Another negative I have heard mentioned against the Kopis is that the rivets along the scabbard seem will dull the edge. I am not saying this isn't going to happen but to my eyes it doesn't look like the blade will touch the metal, at least initially.
As to the quality of the scabbard. Well almost straight away one of the popper buttons has come away. However the leather seems of a better quality than I expected for windlass.
Another interesting point regarding this Kopis. I have heard people say they feel it is too light.
I would agree to some extent however is it inaccurate compared to an historical example albeit Falcata rather than Kopis?
I offer for comparison measurements put forward by Peter Johnsson. Not too dissimilar it seems to the Windlass Kopis.
www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?/topic/12673-iron-age-swords/&page=2&tab=comments#comment-116524
"Here is some info on the Falcata:
Blade length: 44 cm
Total length: 54.5 cm
Weight: 506 grams
Point of balance: around 14 cm from guard
Width at front of grip: 6.2 cm
Width at widest point in "belly": 5.5 cm
Thickness of spine at base of blade: 0.63 cm
Thickness just before start of false edge: 0.47 cm"
Now we come to one of the main reasons for this thread. The best bang for your buck sword!
For a long time I have felt the windlass Qama has held this title. However how does the Cobra steel line compare......
It should be noted I have removed the studs from the handle of the Qama & also added grip tape to create more of a supporting ridge to stop ones hand slipping onto the blade while thrusting & make the general holding of the weapon more comfortable.
Stats from KOA which seem accurate though I haven't weighed either.
I would say overall the quality of the Qama seems of a higher standard. This primarily comes down to the horn handle which adds an air of sophistication compared to the Cobra steels rubber. The handle on the Qama also seems better finished as the Cobra Steel handle has some crude marks still left from where it was cut to shape & it seems epoxy has been used to fill gaps where it wasn't quite shaped to the correct size to fit the tang. Overall this gives an impression of a lack of care with regards to the Cobra Steel Kopis.
In the hand the Qama feels heavier & when held in the hammer grip definitely feels more meaty & gives you a surprising feel of confidence in such a short weapon.
The Qama really forces this hammer grip while the Kopis can be held in a handshake or hammer grip which can allow for a better feeling of control. The handle is even long enough that you could grip the Kopis in two hands though for such a light blade I would question the utility of this.
The horn of the Qama feels nice in the hand however the handle WILL be too small for some whether you remove the studs or not the Kopis will not have this problem but I have heard the rubber WILL give you hot spots with prolonged use due to the inate friction of rubber against skin. I already feel this to be true.
Bear in mind however I also had to file down some of the sharper/pointer edges on my Qama to make it feel good in the hand.
Of note these two blades both seem to be capable of the cut & the thrust. I would even argue that the curvature of the Kopis even helps line up the point in a more natural manner than the straight bladed Qama.
Hank Reinhardt noticed this in regards to Kukris & mentions it in his book of knives.
I have tried to take pictures to help illustrate this.
Next up is the scabbards. To me these can't be compared, the Qama wins hands down!
The Qama scabbard definitely makes the Qama feel like a sword if a very small one rather than a large knife even a very big one if that makes any sense LOL
Next up price, well in the UK the Qama can be had for £67.50 with sharpening & shipping & tax added on.
The Kopis £64.85 but it already has an edge that though not paper cutting sharp I could easily sort it in 1-2 hours by hand.
You can argue that you could get the Qama for £47.50 & not pay for it to be sharpened however after doing this with a few Windlass blades I am loathe to do it any more as I find it time intensive.
I feel the initial prices given with sharpening added for the Qama are a fairer comparison as then you get two knives arriving in a similar shape. So cost wise at least in the UK they are again pretty even.
So the final judgement which is the best bang for your buck!
For me the title is still held by the Qama. Why you ask?
Materials for one horn handle vs rubber.
The final finish the Qama is given more care & attention or at least mine was.
The scabbard one feels like a nicely done addition like on the Qama one feels like a last minute hobbled together giveaway.
Lastly the FEEL in the hand. I can't quite put my finger on it but the Qamas blade presence makes it feel like a short sword & the Kopis like a BIG knife to me.......
One important point.
I intend in the future to test all my shorties including these two blades head to head against some mats. If one was to seriously outdo the other this could completely change my decision as to which one wins as in my book actual performance is a powerful factor in these things.
Thanks for reading.
Any tips or suggestions for edits ETC. please feel free to share .
Not sure if this necessarily belongs here as it isn't a strict review but rather a little bit of info on the Cobra steel Kopis which I couldn't find much hands on info for on this site.
So a bit of background, I have collected swords for about 17 years & mainly just dry handle them & have no form of training in a sword art. Therefore take my observations as you will.
So firstly I feel that these Cobra Steel blades are windlass answer to the cold steel machete.
The only CS machete I have handled is the magnum kukri & if I had to choose between the Kopis & the kukri I would pick the Kopis hands down but bear in mind that is without actually using/testing either.
The Kopis is from thicker stock & seems to be reasonably heat treated with a better scabbard in my opinion.
It runs in the UK at about £60 compared to the the CS machete that is around £40 (both of these prices are including tax & shipping) so for the extra £20 the cobra steel line seems like a no brainer to me at least.
Some pics compared to my "shortie collection"
At first I wasn't sure if the Kopis had enough of a curve/angle like my other Kukris however upon putting them side by side I was pleasantly surprised by the curvature. The main difference is the more "hatchet like" feel of my Kukris which I mainly think is down to their thicker blade stock.
Another negative I have heard mentioned against the Kopis is that the rivets along the scabbard seem will dull the edge. I am not saying this isn't going to happen but to my eyes it doesn't look like the blade will touch the metal, at least initially.
As to the quality of the scabbard. Well almost straight away one of the popper buttons has come away. However the leather seems of a better quality than I expected for windlass.
Another interesting point regarding this Kopis. I have heard people say they feel it is too light.
I would agree to some extent however is it inaccurate compared to an historical example albeit Falcata rather than Kopis?
I offer for comparison measurements put forward by Peter Johnsson. Not too dissimilar it seems to the Windlass Kopis.
www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?/topic/12673-iron-age-swords/&page=2&tab=comments#comment-116524
"Here is some info on the Falcata:
Blade length: 44 cm
Total length: 54.5 cm
Weight: 506 grams
Point of balance: around 14 cm from guard
Width at front of grip: 6.2 cm
Width at widest point in "belly": 5.5 cm
Thickness of spine at base of blade: 0.63 cm
Thickness just before start of false edge: 0.47 cm"
Now we come to one of the main reasons for this thread. The best bang for your buck sword!
For a long time I have felt the windlass Qama has held this title. However how does the Cobra steel line compare......
It should be noted I have removed the studs from the handle of the Qama & also added grip tape to create more of a supporting ridge to stop ones hand slipping onto the blade while thrusting & make the general holding of the weapon more comfortable.
Stats from KOA which seem accurate though I haven't weighed either.
I would say overall the quality of the Qama seems of a higher standard. This primarily comes down to the horn handle which adds an air of sophistication compared to the Cobra steels rubber. The handle on the Qama also seems better finished as the Cobra Steel handle has some crude marks still left from where it was cut to shape & it seems epoxy has been used to fill gaps where it wasn't quite shaped to the correct size to fit the tang. Overall this gives an impression of a lack of care with regards to the Cobra Steel Kopis.
In the hand the Qama feels heavier & when held in the hammer grip definitely feels more meaty & gives you a surprising feel of confidence in such a short weapon.
The Qama really forces this hammer grip while the Kopis can be held in a handshake or hammer grip which can allow for a better feeling of control. The handle is even long enough that you could grip the Kopis in two hands though for such a light blade I would question the utility of this.
The horn of the Qama feels nice in the hand however the handle WILL be too small for some whether you remove the studs or not the Kopis will not have this problem but I have heard the rubber WILL give you hot spots with prolonged use due to the inate friction of rubber against skin. I already feel this to be true.
Bear in mind however I also had to file down some of the sharper/pointer edges on my Qama to make it feel good in the hand.
Of note these two blades both seem to be capable of the cut & the thrust. I would even argue that the curvature of the Kopis even helps line up the point in a more natural manner than the straight bladed Qama.
Hank Reinhardt noticed this in regards to Kukris & mentions it in his book of knives.
I have tried to take pictures to help illustrate this.
Next up is the scabbards. To me these can't be compared, the Qama wins hands down!
The Qama scabbard definitely makes the Qama feel like a sword if a very small one rather than a large knife even a very big one if that makes any sense LOL
Next up price, well in the UK the Qama can be had for £67.50 with sharpening & shipping & tax added on.
The Kopis £64.85 but it already has an edge that though not paper cutting sharp I could easily sort it in 1-2 hours by hand.
You can argue that you could get the Qama for £47.50 & not pay for it to be sharpened however after doing this with a few Windlass blades I am loathe to do it any more as I find it time intensive.
I feel the initial prices given with sharpening added for the Qama are a fairer comparison as then you get two knives arriving in a similar shape. So cost wise at least in the UK they are again pretty even.
So the final judgement which is the best bang for your buck!
For me the title is still held by the Qama. Why you ask?
Materials for one horn handle vs rubber.
The final finish the Qama is given more care & attention or at least mine was.
The scabbard one feels like a nicely done addition like on the Qama one feels like a last minute hobbled together giveaway.
Lastly the FEEL in the hand. I can't quite put my finger on it but the Qamas blade presence makes it feel like a short sword & the Kopis like a BIG knife to me.......
One important point.
I intend in the future to test all my shorties including these two blades head to head against some mats. If one was to seriously outdo the other this could completely change my decision as to which one wins as in my book actual performance is a powerful factor in these things.
Thanks for reading.
Any tips or suggestions for edits ETC. please feel free to share .