Viper Hug issues

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
20,039
I bought a Viper Hug in early 2022, carried with no issues. One day the pivot was not in my knife, I found the screw in my pocket. I put it back together, tightened it and since then it backs out over maybe five times being opened. Loose, I just use it for a fruit or utility knife at home. I tried some thread locker (not Loctite) and it seemed to work fine for a while, loosened again. I love the knife and want to carry it, I spent 170.00 bucks on it in 2022. Not exactly cheap. I’ve tried several times to contact Viper, no luck. A maker reached out to me with some suggestions and I will try those. Hopefully just lemon. I have a sowbelly and swayback, the sowbelly has loosened over use but never to the extent of the Hug. The swayback has been fine. While the quality isn’t the same as the Lionsteels I have, these are well made. Just the pivot issue with this Hug.

The Otnat is an all around perfect knife, I have this cull rams horn and a cull carbon fiber. Wicked Wax gave some life to the cull rams horn but the cull CF looks great. The Otnat action is just about perfect.IMG_5199.jpegIMG_5175.jpeg
 
silenthunterstudios said:
I bought a Viper Hug in early 2022, carried with no issues. One day the pivot was not in my knife, I found the screw in my pocket. I put it back together, tightened it and since then it backs out over maybe five times being opened. Loose, I just use it for a fruit or utility knife at home. I tried some thread locker (not Loctite) and it seemed to work fine for a while, loosened again. I love the knife and want to carry it, I spent 170.00 bucks on it in 2022. Not exactly cheap. I’ve tried several times to contact Viper, no luck. A maker reached out to me with some suggestions and I will try those. Hopefully just lemon. I have a sowbelly and swayback, the sowbelly has loosened over use but never to the extent of the Hug. The swayback has been fine. While the quality isn’t the same as the Lionsteels I have, these are well made. Just the pivot issue with this Hug.

The Otnat is an all around perfect knife, I have this cull rams horn and a cull carbon fiber. Wicked Wax gave some life to the cull rams horn but the cull CF looks great. The Otnat action is just about perfect.View attachment 2732786View attachment 2732787
Click to expand...
Not sure if you have, but if not try adding the threadlocker and be sure to let it cure at least 24 hours.
 
I know it's basic/pre 101, but...
If you use thread locker:
1) Use blue UNLESS you will NEVER have to take apart or adjust. Red is "forever".

2) I always used two or three drops, depending on the screw length (1 drop on eyeglasses screws (red) and compound bow draw length adjustment screws (blue). 1 drop of blue was "almost too much", according to the archery pro shop after he worked on the bow.)
 
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That's a pity. The Hug looks like an intriguing, modern slipjoint design. I have little interest though if the pivot is faulty in design or execution.
 
my experience with loctite has generally been more for balisongs, which are the traditional knives of the Philippines. with those knives however, too much will mess around with the pivot tolerances. so sometimes less is more!
 
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