Viper Larius, 3.4" m390 EDC

d2eux

d2eux

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Oct 10, 2010
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289
Has anyone seen this yet? Pretty sweet EDC choice from Viper knives in Italy. It runs on thrust bearings for nice flipping action. Really my only reservations are the point on that index finger groove looks sharp, and the liner seems a little thin supporting the thick blade.

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I've the CF one.
Don't worry about thickness of liners, get worried about the WEIRD pocket clip instead.
Its insertion/retention level should be classified as jump-ready for airborne troops. It sports zero-flexibility, so I had to chamfer the inner hill-like part of clip with a 400 grit Choosera. I informed the designer and called twice Viper. Waiting for an answer from either one, whichever comes first.
I experienced the clip issue on three different Larius samples available for purchase FYI.

EDIT:
The cat is out of the sack ?
 
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daberti said:
I've the CF one.
Don't worry about thickness of liners, get worried about the WEIRD pocket clip instead.
Its insertion/retention level should be classified as jump-ready for airborne troops. It sports zero-flexibility, so I had to chamfer the inner hill-like part of clip with a 400 grit Choosera. I informed the designer and called twice Viper. Waiting for an answer from either one, whichever comes first.
I experienced the clip issue on three different Larius samples available for purchase FYI.
In the end: go to the shop and test the clip in flesh as maybe the ones I examined were early samples.
Click to expand...

It's likely not an isolated issue but a result of the thickness of the clip. Extremely stiff milled clips are a somewhat common (although less so recently) issue among production and even custom knives. A few years ago (~2015) most milled clips were pretty awful. Things have generally gotten better.
 
daberti said:
I've the CF one.
Don't worry about thickness of liners, get worried about the WEIRD pocket clip instead.
Its insertion/retention level should be classified as jump-ready for airborne troops. It sports zero-flexibility, so I had to chamfer the inner hill-like part of clip with a 400 grit Choosera. I informed the designer and called twice Viper. Waiting for an answer from either one, whichever comes first.
I experienced the clip issue on three different Larius samples available for purchase FYI.
In the end: go to the shop and test the clip in flesh as maybe the ones I examined were early samples.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip! The pocket clip was actually one of the draws I had to this knife!
 
d2eux said:
Thanks for the tip! The pocket clip was actually one of the draws I had to this knife!
Click to expand...

You're welcome. I purchased the Storm also, Always from Viper. Built like a tank, M390 and no-nonsense Hinderer design. Oh, and a perfect clip ;)
 
daberti said:
You're welcome. I purchased the Storm also, Always from Viper. Built like a tank, M390 and no-nonsense Hinderer design. Oh, and a perfect clip ;)
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Yea the Storm looks sweet also. That runs on the same thrust pivot the Larius uses right? Does that mean the ball bearings are glued in place on the metal disc, or can they come out if removed/disassembled for maintenance?
 
More than glued they are kinda sunk. They cannot get out AFAIK.
To complete the list of the Italian knives I keep in great praise may I humbly suggest the Fantoni HB03 (Harsey design) ? If you happen to step into the S125V L.E. grab it, I've one and never repented about purchasing. Fantoni is the only production grade knifemaker that offers S125V, incidentally with a heck of HT.
And it happens I know something about HT. If time allows please give it a look at my posts here https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...ed-on-edge-retention-cutting-5-8-rope.793481/
Bedtime now in Italy, read you Tomorrow :)
 
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I have a CF Larius and I love it! It’s extremely light, around 3.5oz with a nice beefy blade.

Mine has great flipping action. Like flawless flipping actually with a strong detent. Flips better than my 0562 and my Reate. Great flipper.

The pocket clip works fine for me, I carry it in front right pocket of jeans on the weekend and my gym shorts every day (waistband). I have no issues with the clip at all.

My only complaint is the rearward part of the handle where my pinky rests. There’s a bit of a sharp corner where the handle swoops down near the but. If you have large hands that might be an annoying ergonomic hot spot for you. My hands are medium sized and I live with this nit pick cause I love the overall package this knife offers.

I was surprised I couldn’t find any threads about it so I took a chance on it about 3 weeks ago and am really glad I did. I disagree strongly with the above poster. I doubt you would be disappointed with this knife, especially if you like a low weight (<4oz) edc. I’ve owned hundreds of blades over the last 20 years, most of them midtechs priced $400-1000 and this one stands among them as one of the better blades I’ve owned.

 
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Biginboca said:
I have a CF Larius and I love it! It’s extremely light, around 3.5oz with a nice beefy blade.

Mine has great flipping action. Like flawless flipping actually with a strong detent. Flips better than my 0562 and my Reate. Great flipper.

The pocket clip works fine for me, I carry it in front right pocket of jeans on the weekend and my gym shorts every day (waistband). I have no issues with the clip at all.

My only complaint is the rearward part of the handle where my pinky rests. There’s a bit of a sharp corner where the handle swoops down near the but. If you have large hands that might be an annoying ergonomic hot spot for you. My hands are medium sized and I live with this nit pick cause I love the overall package this knife offers.

I was surprised I couldn’t find any threads about it so I took a chance on it about 3 weeks ago and am really glad I did. I disagree strongly with the above poster. I doubt you would be disappointed with this knife, especially if you like a low weight (<4oz) edc. I’ve owned hundreds of blades over the last 20 years, most of them midtechs priced $400-1000 and this one stands among them as one of the better blades I’ve owned.

Click to expand...
"I’ve owned hundreds of blades over the last 20 years, most of them midtechs priced $400-1000 and this one stands among them as one of the better blades I’ve owned."

Very impressive, thanks for the mini review!
 
Whatever it is I received the answer from the designer himself: the maker -Viper AKA Tecnocut- knows the problem and has released a replacement clip.
The cat is out of the sack ?
By no means: I've received the answer from the knife factory as well and they claim there is NO such new clip.
So, all in all, go to the store yourself and test the clip (or steer away altogether from this otherwise magnificent knife).
 
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I don't like the blade profile. Otherwise I'd like to get one in cf. Tbo though I've seen so many qc complaints about Viper knives that im leary of trying them.
 
Mo2 said:
I don't like the blade profile. Otherwise I'd like to get one in cf. Tbo though I've seen so many qc complaints about Viper knives that im leary of trying them.
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I'll be 100% honest, and bear in mind I'm from Italy. I've had to resharpen all of the Viper knives I owned or I actually own. Stock edge sucks, period.
As far as HT and fit and finish are concerned, if you're NOT after bells and whistles I'd recommend Fantoni knives. Work horses at a reasonable price.
 
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Mo2 said:
I don't like the blade profile. Otherwise I'd like to get one in cf. Tbo though I've seen so many qc complaints about Viper knives that im leary of trying them.
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IMO the harpoon blade profile looks really cool, almost like a toned down version of the hinderer spanto.
 
QUOTE="d2eux, post: 17755701, member: 281335"]IMO the harpoon blade profile looks really cool, almost like a toned down version of the hinderer spanto.[/QUOTE]

It delivers a very effective cutting, once the stock bevel is reprofiled.
I went with naniwa Chosera stones 400-1000-3000-10000 at 15° per side (from the circa 25° stock ones) and then a few passes on leather strop as much as to make it a slightly convex edge. Gorgeously cutting edge.
It makes no safe (Law Enforcement authorities wise) EDC carry in Italy, though :(
 
daberti said:
QUOTE="d2eux, post: 17755701, member: 281335"]IMO the harpoon blade profile looks really cool, almost like a toned down version of the hinderer spanto.
Click to expand...

It delivers a very effective cutting, once the stock bevel is reprofiled.
I went with naniwa Chosera stones 400-1000-3000-10000 at 15° per side (from the circa 25° stock ones) and then a few passes on leather strop as much as to make it a slightly convex edge. Gorgeously cutting edge.
It makes no safe (Law Enforcement authorities wise) EDC carry in Italy, though :([/QUOTE]
Great tips daberti, info on this knife is hard to come by online! Grazie!

Sucks about the knife laws though. How is it that a country that has great knifemakers have such tight knife laws? When I was studying abroad in Florence, I still carried around my ZT 0301 :D
 
@deux
You're welcome :thumbsup:
It happens I do know M390 very well. It is a heck of a steel when properly HTd as in this case. Uber though with very refined steel matrix (no inclusions) and aplenty low size carbides. If you're going to keep the edge acute (and not convex) I'd recommend doing a 18° P.S. bevel.

Yeah, it is such a country :(
I'd be in favour of a Knife License, as I own a Firearm License (and a Glock G21) already. But ya know, that's how it is.
Wondering around in Florence wia ZT0301? Holy God :eek::D
 
Just the final OFFICIAL update from Viper about Larius clip: there is no replacement clip.
Literally from the email (in italian): "What the designer was talking about was a prototype grade one that after some test was not used in the production line".
And more:"Each knife has its own design and in the Larius model for the clip we have chosen to favor the aesthetic aspect in detriment of the practical one."
 
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