Patina On The Scales of The Copper Kershaw Natrix

A look at how quickly the copper scales on my Natrix have developed patina.
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Thanks for watching and take care!

[@yankee2yankee216]

"Discoloration," i.e. patination, is exactly what we expect of copper scales, and it has a special appeal. Not for everybody perhaps (some people want their stuff to always look brand new). This kind of scale is for people who like natural materials, and who like graceful aging. I love mine so much, I've already ordered the next size up, a 7007CU.

[@jeffladd569]

I am a chef in vegas and one of my line cooks bought this knife for me as a gift I like the whole idea and look of the patina on all my high carbon knife blades. Having the patina apear on the scales of a utility knife is very very cool. Definitely makes it your own.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Yes, I agree. That patina really makes it a fun piece to have

[@BladeBanter]

Thank you so much for the recognition so far 39 people joined the channel. Thank you for the efforts you make and the impact you have.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Likewise bud, I appreciate it!

[@t_mac6866]

I too have sweaty hands so I’m sure I could get it to patina like you did- I really like the copper look but the patina makes it so personal! Great vid man!

[@timbo4374]

I am enjoying mine. The only thing I would consider a con is the flipper tab is a little small, and with the strong detent, it can make your finger sore if you're a fidget flipper. Mine has broke in good though, and with a couple drops of KPL, the action is now really good.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Haha yeah, it did get my finger a bit sore. No huge deal though.

[@yankee2yankee216]

Don't mean to be a prig (!), but the (past tense) verb form of the noun "patina" is "patinated," not "patinaed." It makes only the tiniest difference, but to those of us who know the difference, and who care about the English language, getting it right adds a pound of polish! I DO love your presentations (and this knife).

[@rickkerans8485]

I like the way the knife becomes your own. I hear an xl version is coming out will probably wait for that.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I think it's out already actually. Not in copper though.

[@AverageDE]

If you remove the clip for patina, be sure to put the clip screws back in. The locking bar is held in by the 4 screws. I believe copper is too soft to keep the bar is position without them. If your regular Natrix' lockbar is similar to the Copper, it may have shifted, causing the play. Similar to pesky pocket clips that do not want to stay in position.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks, great advice. I tried to work on the c.f. version but didn't get anywhere with it. Oh well.

[@hh5684]

I just received two yesterday. Really liking the one I’ve unboxed and carried so far. No sign of patina on mine yet despite handing it quite a bit since yesterday. I’m looking forward to a rich copper patina. I am in healthcare and have dry hands from washing them so often so not surprised on it being more slow with mine. I love the size and solid construction. Hoping this will be a daily carry knife.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Agreed, I hope it holds up and stays solid long term. We shall see!

[@attic42]

This video was fantastic. Thank you! The side by side is striking. What a brilliant idea for a video. Mine should be coming in just a matter of days, and I can't wait. And your video has made it so I can't wait even more.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks very much for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the video! I hope you like knife!

[@kennethrose3423]

I love the copper scales

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Me too, definitely enjoying them!

[@cigarsarge1]

I like mine so far. Had it a few days and the patina growth has been fast. No use issues yet.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Still no issues with mine either. 👍

[@mjbl3974]

That's cool. Changing fast, but that's exactly what I'm looking for. I wasn't sure about the finish. Now I know. Great video.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks a lot, I figured this would be an interesting topic for anyone getting the knife!

[@thescabuglychannel7600]

I just didn't care for the stonewashed copper finish so I polished mine. I think the scales will patina much better now.

[@Tankman333]

THE SCAB UGLY CHANNEL hey scab what product did you use to polish natrix with?

[@thescabuglychannel7600]

@@Tankman333 just some polishing wax and a dremel followed with some mothers.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I'm no expert when it comes to these things, but I'm pretty content with how this has gone. Cool to polish it up though, I bet it looked it great.

[@neverstoplearning2]

Yours looks great. I like the patina.

[@KnifeCultureUSA]

I can’t wait for mine to come in! I’ll make sure I take early pictures to see how fast mine changes as well.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Definitely, it's really interesting to see it progress!

[@Outpost_76]

The one I have is on loan to me. I've had it 3 days and its changed quite a bit. Enough to notice each day. I did a video on it and its changed even more since then.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Just keeps going and going, pretty cool to watch!

[@majergens]

This is the knife I have been waiting for JT! Workmanship on mine was decent right out of the box, with a decent edge and a little stiff but adequate action. It should break in nicely. You might consider a time lapse of your Natrix developing patina over time. It would be interesting!

[@JTsKnifeLife]

That was the plan, but it's been so quick that the idea sort of went out the window.

[@zachstuff]

A fun $150 challenge indeed! Blade Banter is good people! Wow only 3 days it took to get that patina! Did the Pilar do the same? Thanks for all the support and inspiration!

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I didnt get a Copper scale of the Pilar. I wish!

[@ocomegashadowstacking5886]

Really good looking knife!!!😄👍💜

[@jakegolleher-johnson9089]

This blade is pretty cool.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I'm digging it, yes sir!

[@peachjackson3856]

I have yet to pick up a Natrix but I’ve gotta remedy that soon. So many knives, so little time and money lol

[@Tankman333]

great info gonna order myself one and see what happens i have a high acid count in my blood it might just melt! thanks JT

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Hahahaha be careful!

[@bumstudios8817]

I love the looks and patina, i would see if you could get more blue/green into it like the statue of liberty

[@JTsKnifeLife]

We shall see how it develops, maybe that copper carbonate look will be possible.

[@randyf.9188]

Wow, that was fast! I wonder if they plan to release other models in copper as well. I am STILL WAITING on the Bareknuckle.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Me too, and as good as this knife is, I think the Bareknuckle will be the best of them all.

[@thebeast14086]

did you get a bareknuckle yet. love mine

[@randyf.9188]

@@thebeast14086 Unfortunately, I had to return it. The pivot was free spinning. You could not adjust it or take it apart.

[@thebeast14086]

damn that sucks!

[@Bilchi01]

Thanks Bazz. From your review and from the screw and bushing problems I’ve hear a lot of guys are having I’m going to be holding off on this baby for awhile! Was wondering if this model has a made in USA version? If you know could you hook me up with that info. Excellent review! I love copper , so glad you told me about the texture as I like my copper shiny and smooth. Your lighting ( by the way) is pretty top notch for your video and I was very happy that it was so clear I could actually see the rough blasted texture look. This knife, for me is a definite wait and see if there is a recall for quality control and that they work out some finish issues . I’m a Kershaw fan. My Leek and my cryo have held up so well, but this knife just needs to really be put through the mill as they say, and Kershaw addresses the many screw complaints I’ve been hearing about!

[@crommy927]

Check out Instagram #kershawnatrixcopper to see my lovely “slip joint” model.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

That was crazy man, I don't get how that can happen.

[@blitzbbffl]

Awesome results in only 2 days!! I wonder how copper will annodize. I've had mine 2 days, working on the action as the lock bar tension is pretty high.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I know it will anodize, pretty tempted to try it. We shall see!

[@BazonBlades]

I wonder if the long wait on this knife had anything to do with Kershaw experimenting with handle finishes. They certainly had to know how important the patina aspect would be to knife enthusiasts. I may try to contact Kershaw CS before I do my in depth review. See what I can find out.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

That's exactly what it is. They told me at Blade Show West that it was a huge issue. All the test knives were flown back and forth to China, and they were okay. But the bulk orders were being shipped by boat in a cargo hold, and those conditions were causing the knives to patina en route. They had to test that process with a bunch of different finishes to figure out the best one. Pretty interesting.

[@BazonBlades]

@@JTsKnifeLife, it would have probably been easier to just vacume seal them.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

@@BazonBlades Probably, yeah.

[@mreuter71gmaildotcom]

Hi, thanks for the video. I got one of these recently and it has developed the issue you mentioned with your other natrix having the up and down blade play when its closed. It does not seem to have any movement when open. I just sent kershaw an email so I will wait to see what they say but im guessing its going back.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I can sort of tolerate the detent play, but the lock up needs to be more secure. Let me know how it goes with Kershaw!

[@kennethroberts1085]

Please do keep us informed as to what happens with the carbon fiber natrix. I’m having the same issue with mine. I don’t even carry it

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks forgetting me know, I'll keep you posted!

[@blankslate81]

How is this holding up? I heard the detention ball rubs down especially on the D2 steel

[@evile19]

Did they resolve the knife issues? Is the 7007cu (bigger model) better, less issues??

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I think that model improved over time, yes. No experience with the new ones yet though.

[@blankslate81]

I just ordered one of these today, before seeing a video of a disassembly, where the detent ball was ground to a nub after a couple of weeks. Was really wondering how your experience is after owning it for a while.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Mine has been great. I've heard a lot of negative things about production quality, but I haven't seen anything myself on mine.

[@blankslate81]

Oh, cool. Thanks for the reply

[@korling99]

I like everything but the flipping action. Mine takes way too much pressure to overcome th detent. It’s almost unusable.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

The biggest issues I've heard of have been detent related. But that's all across the entire Natrix line unfortunately.

[@gammarayburst4763]

Is your copper natrix have a hard detent. If I have any pressure on my lockbar it won’t open. Trying to see if that is normal or just mine. Great video.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Thanks a lot, and yeah, the detent is a bit stiff. Mine isn't as bad as some others that I've heard of. But you aren't the only one who has had some troubles. I'd contact Kershaw if it doesn't break in better.

[@kurtmcdonald7113]

This seems to be a common Kershaw problem. I have a Vapor with a detent that's so tight it's impossible to open the knife one handed. I disassembled the knife, then carefully and lightly drilled the detent hole so the edge of it is rounded. Works so much better now

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

Love the copper... Hate the smell it leaves. Like handling dirty money.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Hahaha yep, no way around that

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

@@JTsKnifeLife well... You could patina it then throw a layer of clear powder coat on the scales...but then it's somewhat permanently the same...

[@captaincalmag4953]

do your fingers smell after handling it?

[@Tankman333]

Max S copper emits a smell

[@JTsKnifeLife]

They definitely do. The knife itself actually has a smell to it as well.

[@fathertime9115]

Hand oils and dirt are different than an actual patina.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Sure that's true, but what would you call the changes made from hand oils?

[@JOMO_EDC]

I think I’ve seen more issues with that knife than any other for the short time it has been out.

[@JTsKnifeLife]

Hmmm, that's too bad. I haven't had any on either of these or really heard of much yet. Still early though.

[@johnwills4603]

It's Copper...it'll tarnish and turn practically the same color as a penny!....simply soak it in Ketchup and it'll shine back up!!

[@bryantherocker]

I think that's fake copper on the Natrix, Looks more like Brass mixed with a little copper, real copper is reddish brown in color

[@JTsKnifeLife]

I have plenty of copper pipes where I work and they look pretty bright like this one did

[@bryantherocker]

@@JTsKnifeLife yes those are not pure copper also

[@bryantherocker]

@@JTsKnifeLife also watch out for China Copper/Brass Scales, many of those have high Lead content

[@AverageDE]

Blade Banter opened my eyes to some bs

[@JTsKnifeLife]

True story. Good of him to be looking out like that.

[@BladeBanter]

Glad and congratulations on your GAW win.

[@kurtmcdonald7113]

Just letting a copper knife naturally patina is so boring. Your knife ends up looking exactly the same as everybody else's copper knife. Kinda like saying you prefer a canvas that's been discolored by sunlight instead of a painting. With a forced patina you can use your imagination and the knife actually becomes something unique. He's a patina I did on my copper Spyderco using dried grass clippings, ammonia and salt imgur.com/gallery/nKx2MsU