New Hybrid Viper EO Teardrop

The funny thing for me about this knife is, I knew it was destined to have an identity crisis right off the bat, traditional or not? But that to me does not matter at all, I like it, it’s well made and it’s working well in the role a slippy usually plays for me.

The identity crisis I see is, it feels very much a gentleman’s knife in its action and it’s weight, yet is probably too thick for carry in that role for many. I can’t see it riding well in any business attire, maybe that’s just me. The rare time I wear a suit, a light, thin clipped knife rides in jacket pocket.

For me this guy goes in my jeans, backpocket as it were any other slipjoint I might carry. It is light so walking around I don’t notice it, but sometimes sitting you feel it, due to it being thick and kind of round so it rolls over in my pocket a bit and rests funny every now and then. That’s not stopping me from carrying and using it however.
 
I wear khakis, dress shirt, & tie to work and I find it rides well in my pocket with my wallet. I don't have a slip for it yet but I plan to get one and I don't expect that will make it less suitable to my attire if anything more so.
 
Well I’m still carrying it everyday, and really liking it. I even had it in my pocket in a button up shirt the other day, (as fancy as I usually get) and it sat nicely. I tried in dress pant pockets but no way that was going to work.

I had some thick plastic packaging to cut through along with some cardboard yesterday. I was initially a bit worried about it closing when piercing the thick plastic but it was not an issue. Then had to cut up against some metal so the edge smacked a couple times, (not hard). Still shaving although I can see a tiny spot that I’ll touch up. The factory edge is proving to be outstanding, I’ve had a few knives that come super sharp but then dull, roll or chip right away.

So far it hasn’t been digging in as I thought it might at the butt end due to it being chamfered rather than rounded off, so I don’t think I’ll be hitting it with some sandpaper like I thought I might have to.

A couple friends saw me using it and took a look at it and really seemed to like it. Unfortunately most people around here aren’t going to play games to order a knife from a company not willing to just ship to Canada themselves. I seriously don’t understand it. I read the reasoning, but still makes no sense not to just have a list of stuff they can ship without Customs issues. Whatever, for anyone who can get one easily, or willing to play games, this is a great knife. A nice modern take on a traditional design.
 
So not too many formed an opinion on theirs yet? I really like mine and am curious to know what others think. Not necessarily opinions on if it counts as traditional but more as a knife, how are you folks liking yours? Shortcomings? Advantages?
 
spyderg said:
So not too many formed an opinion on theirs yet? I really like mine and am curious to know what others think. Not necessarily opinions on if it counts as traditional but more as a knife, how are you folks liking yours? Shortcomings? Advantages?
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I have 2 (maple burl, natural micarta) and love them). Between these and the CK Lionsteel collabs, my other knives are not getting much attention.
 
spyderg said:
So not too many formed an opinion on theirs yet? I really like mine and am curious to know what others think. Not necessarily opinions on if it counts as traditional but more as a knife, how are you folks liking yours? Shortcomings? Advantages?
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What I am enjoying most is the way my brain releases endorphins when I open and close these.

I was actually carrying my bocote version today, but I didn't have anything to cut with it. I have a lanyard on it and keep it tethered to my belt, a feature I have really come to appreciate. I find myself in the stage where I still want to "baby" it a little bit, I was also carrying my GEC 15 Crown Lifter for any rough or dirty work I might have run into.
 
The only issue i have is the blade being prone to closing when backing out of cuts made through heavy material. Just means it's not meant for those kind of tasks. I carry mine frequently. I keep looking at all these other carbon steel knives in my drawer quickly losing their appeal.
 
jrawk said:
The only issue i have is the blade being prone to closing when backing out of cuts made through heavy material. Just means it's not meant for those kind of tasks. I carry mine frequently. I keep looking at all these other carbon steel knives in my drawer quickly losing their appeal.
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Has anyone tried tightening up the pivot screw. See if it stiffens up the pull at all?

Edit: I did. It works.
 
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Been living with this one for a while. I really like it a lot. I stand by my original thought that I would have liked a more polished finish on the CF. Everything else is shiny; it should be, too. But that's preference.

I think it would SERIOUSLY benefit from covers about half the thickness. But the knife is just great. Sorry for the bump. Just spend a lot of time with this one.
 
Now that the honeymoon period is over, it has found its way into the rotation. I agree that thinner covers would be better. Not sure how much thinner they could be and still work with the construction though. Mine is the bocote version and the finishing on the wood is perfect imo. Not sure about the cf or the micarta ones, looked not quite right to me, perhaps polishing would make them look better? The maple ones to me look over polished. Anyways, I’m still enjoying mine and will probably throw it in my pocket for today after this,lol!
 
I've been carrying mine about half the time and I'm going to vote the other way regarding handle thickness. I think it's perfect for it's size and I tend to prefer thinner handles, finding most two-spring trads just a bit too thick for pocket comfort. Maybe it's the light weight and smooth lines that make it carry so well, because it's the same thickness and length as my Boker Congress and that's just noticeable in my pocket while the EO disappears. Either way, it's a great knife that keeps cutting in line for pocket time.
 
gaj999 said:
I've been carrying mine about half the time and I'm going to vote the other way regarding handle thickness. I think it's perfect for it's size and I tend to prefer thinner handles, finding most two-spring trads just a bit too thick for pocket comfort. Maybe it's the light weight and smooth lines that make it carry so well, because it's the same thickness and length as my Boker Congress and that's just noticeable in my pocket while the EO disappears. Either way, it's a great knife that keeps cutting in line for pocket time.
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i'm actually really liking the matte micarta handles on mine, finish & thickness. one of my fav knives.
 
I will try tightening the pivot more, don't know why i did not think to try that. I really enjoy carrying the Viper, and I usually pair it with a modern locking folder.

Food for thought: It would be interesting to know if Mike toyed around with other patterns and blade shapes before landing on the teardrop. Seems like a shorter/smaller patern would do well with the detent system. I'm imagining a GEC 25 sheepfoot easy open with the viper detent. Shorter blades would have less throw to them, which may subconsiencly improve the "feel" of the detent.
 
Mine has a really nice feel to the detent. It clicks in nicely. I’d say to release it from any position is about equivalent to a 5 pull on a slipjoint. It’s less resistance, say a 2 or 3 in between detent stops. I guess the only issue is unlike a with a spring, if you are poking into something, or backing out of a cut and it releases from it’s stopped position, the blade doesn’t snap back into place. For this reason I wouldn’t use it for heavier work but for day to day edc stuff it’s great.
 
I don't have one but I would imagine that thicker handles would actually be a benefit? Better in hand feel etc. I very much like the look of the Maple version and keep looking for one on the Exchange. Polished micarta would look very smart too I think.

Regards, Will
 
The knife definitely feels good in hand. I’m used to my slipjoints being a bit thinner and usually flatter. I don’t find them any less comfortable and they carry better. The thickness and how round it is makes it more noticeable and roll and move in my pocket sometimes. I’ve found the CSC forum knife from 2015 rolls in pocket too, funny that my only two Bocote knives are rounded and move around in pocket. It makes me nervous that they may slip out, the CSC worked it’s way out onto my truck seat twice...I still carry and use both.
 
Two new Viper slipjoints incoming from CK. A 4" single blade sowbelly and a 3 5/8" swayback, both in M390. You can see more about them on CK's early reserve page.

I'm interested in both, but the sowbelly might be the one I try.



 
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