Talon or Viper preference?

Duper

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Which would you pick? Say both were the same handle material of your choice and both aTidioute version and both the wharncliffe blade. The Talon seems more pocketable to some degree.

Just curious as I have never held either in my hand.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
Specs/pics..

I have a viper, and have never held a talon so I can't say.

922213-jack-striped-buffalo-horn1.jpg


470114-AFRICAN-BLACKWOOD-700x455.jpg
 
Thanks, I believe the Talon came as a single Wharncliffe or spearpoint blade as well. I am interested in the single blade version.
 
My knives have to appeal to me aesthetically, so it's the Viper for me no contest. I've never held either though, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.
 
1. The Viper is bigger than the Talon. However, the Viper is not a brick, by any means. Nor is the Talon a "small knife." I would say the Talon is the more pocketable of the two, although that being said, it's a fairly meaningless distinction because I'm carrying my Viper today, and I'm wearing dress pants.

2. Both knives have really sweet pulls, that feel perfect for their respective frames, and have very nice walk and talk. The Viper's pull is stronger than the Talon's, but it's not a nail breaker, nor is the Talon weak.

3. Both knives have very nice aesthetics and are eye-catching. They also both have a unique feel in the hand that most people love or don't mind, and a few hate. The swayback is not everyone's cup of tea, and the Talon's eureka pattern echoes this. I personally find the Talon just a touch better in the hand, but this is splitting hairs, and is also highly dependent upon the individual.

4. Basically, they're both big-ish single blade wharncliffe knives, which is a highly specific type of knife that might be perfect for you, or might be unsuitable, depending on how you use a knife. They both do the single-blade-wharncliffe thing very well, and the only difference between them is one of aesthetics -which look you prefer, or which is available. In practical terms, right now this means the Viper is the knife for you, because they can still be found fairly easily since there was a recent run of them made. The Talon, especially in its wharncliffe variant, is effectively unobtainable at the moment. There have been rumors that GEC might do another run on the 92 frame later this year, but if they do, it's anyone's guess if they'll do single wharncliffe again, or something else.
 
Maybe this will help. Viper on bottom, Talon on top, in both pictures.



I like the Viper. I REALLY like the Talon.


**edited to add**
Thanks, I believe the Talon came as a single Wharncliffe or spearpoint blade as well. I am interested in the single blade version.
I'm pretty sure Talon is the name given to the single blade version. The double blade is the Eureka (Jack).
 
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I'd go with the Talon if you can find one.

I was a big fan of the viper for some time but the Talon packs in almost just as much blade while feeling better in hand/being more pocketable.
I myself was surprised how comfortable a Eureka Jack frame is in hand. The swells just mold to the curvature of your palm while being gripped.
 
Thanks for all the input guys. Love the bottle glass green Talon and Viper.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
Haven't handled a Viper personally but I can tell you that my Talon is by far my most enjoyed GEC knife that I carry.

Like the others have mentioned that Eureka jack frame is surprisingly comfortable in a pinch grip with its curved swaying design and of course its draw cut grip it just naturally fills your hand.
Oh and the amount of blade and cutting edge is very quite impressive.

 
I like the 47 better. the 92 handle is too spindley.. if that makes sense.

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My choice would be the viper. It is just more pleasing to my eye. I actually find the 92 somewhat ugly. Not even on my radar.
 
Have both.. Like both ALOT!! The 47 fills my hand better but the 92 is a nice carry when looking for a little more slim carry.. As stated the 47 is no tank though!! John
 
Well to settle this in my mind I ordered and received today the red wine jigged bone and a blue camel bone Talons from the recent SFO offering.

I had purchased a snakeskin acrylic Viper and have been carrying and using it for a few weeks.

My initial impressions are I like the fit and finish of the Northfield Talons for aesthetics. I like the Tidioute Viper for the size and feel in the hand.

Perhaps once I start carrying the Talons my opinion could change.

Bottom line is I don't think you could go wrong with either choice. Both are beautiful and nice size EDC knives and the quality is definitely there.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
I have both and like both , but just prefer the size of the Viper if I would carry either as an EDC .


Harry
 
Viper for me in preference to Talon.
Not that I dislike the Talon but I like the Vipers a lot.:)
 
I have both, and like both. My vote for a favorite will have to go to the Viper. The Talon is more slender and lighter. The blade is long and lean. The Viper is and feels more robust in my hand. I have carried a Viper more often. I have actually just started with the Talon. One positive for the Talon is the fact that it is also available with a spear point blade, if you can find one, which I just did on the exchange. :D So for now I have to vote Talon = :thumbup: Viper = :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Have had a couple of each and prefer the 92. Both are nice though. Would really like to find a barlow wharnie to compare them to
 
I just got a 47 Viper this week, and I like it. I am looking to get a 92 Talon to compare, as I really like the look of the 92. If I saw them side by side, I would probably pick up the Talon more often, but I am not complaining about the viper at all. The Talon just looks more interesting than the Viper IMO.
 
I guess I'm an odd bird. My preference is the sleek spear that came on the talons (different than the spear on the eureka) and I appreciate the wharnie on the Viper. I see one as a medium duty, easy pocket hideaway and one a sleek workhorse both with different missions........
 
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