Viper Orso unexpected AWESOMENESS

jkilla2279

jkilla2279

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So I own many knives from customs, mid techs to productions but my daily carry for years has been my PM2. Now many knives have taken its spot sometimes for weeks at a time but usually end up back in the safe or sold. I also collect Auto's too but that's a different beast. Anyway i just picked up a Viper Orso it hit all the things i like in a EDC. Size, weight blade shape etc. So what do i like so much about the Orso as opposed to the PM2? The quality of materials to the cost. At $184 you get Carbon Fiber, M390, Ti pocket clip and back spacer and rides on bearings whats not to love????? It feels great in the hand at under 3 ounces its lighter than the PM2 itsa a flipper with a small flipper tab and looks great. Flips and drops closed due to the bearings. It has just as good ergo as the PM2 plus it rides on bearings and has Zero blade play unlike the PM2. I can't believe I'm saying this but it may take over the EDC from the PM2.
Enjoy the pics.
 

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I know people are gonna arm themselves with stones and aim for me. But the Orso looks like a knife you'd get i you had CRK design a modern Flipper (although they would keep the PB washers.) It looks very simple and utilitarian, which is obviously a good thing for an EDC Knife. I am looking forward to the Italian Combo Knives they showed at Blade, some neat designs there as well. I think all the Italian brands are solid, they have good materials and designs but lack a bit consistency at times.
 
Sent my carbon fiber one back. The flange around the liner lock is a weak spot. Mine arrived cracked and would eventually break off. I really like the knife. Going to try the titanium variant hoping it won’t have such issues. I really wanted to EDC the carbon fiber and maybe the issue was isolated to the one I received.
 

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OH that don't look good. Well maybe not as strong as the PM2. Mine seems fine I been flipping it quite a bit and also have pushed hard down on that thin spot and it is sturdy. Will see how it holds up.
Bimmer1 said:
Sent my carbon fiber one back. The flange around the liner lock is a weak spot. Mine arrived cracked and would eventually break off. I really like the knife. Going to try the titanium variant hoping it won’t have such issues. I really want to EDC the carbon fiber and maybe the issue was isolated to the one I received.
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It is a very attractive collaboration with Anso. If it had been a framelock, I’d have been very interested in picking one up.
 
halden.doerge said:
It is a very attractive collaboration with Anso. If it had been a framelock, I’d have been very interested in picking one up.
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I actually like the liner locks better. Frame locks bug me because when they lock in place you feel that uneven feel in the hand when holding it. I like the more even thickness of the knife completely down the handle rather than the sinking in spot of the frame lock. This is why i love Andre Thorburn knives so much. He uses liner locks and does a fantastic job with them. Now people are going to say frame lock is much stronger but lets be honest we aren't going rambo with our flipper/folding knives. I have plenty of military grade straight blades and small hunters if i want that route.
 
Good looking knife OP!
I’d love to hear about your experience once you have some miles on your knife!

Sadly my experience with Italian knives has included larger than expected variations in QC. The post by Bimmer1 Bimmer1 kinda reinforces that. I’ll only buy in-person now. :(
 
I received my titanium version today as a warranty exchange for the defective carbon fiber version I posted above. Although the titanium version is heavier it doesn’t appear that it will have that potential weak area around the liner lock. Flipping action is great and the lock-up is perfect so far.
 
^How are these holding up? I’m looking to pick one up (titanium version), but reluctant because I haven’t seen a lot of reviews. I like everything about it though.

Thanks!
 
Just bought a viper fortis with titanium handles. Solid lock up, M390, buttery smooth open and closing, that dare I say it, almost rivals my H.B. With IKBS. Love at first carry. My new edc.
 
Been carrying my Orso for a little over a week now and I am loving it. Solid build on my example. No blade play or lock rock. Locks early and tight. Flips very well even with the small flipper tab, which I love. Is very smooth and will close shut with some wrist action.

Blade centered, evenly ground, came with a very sharp edge and very close to perfect edge grind. Cuts amazingly. Pierces nicely too. I was pessimistic about the blade thickness not making it a great cutter but I am in love with how it cuts. No chips yet on edge even after some fairly hard use and still much better than just working sharp. I read M390 is not known for it's toughness but this knife and my M390 Knockout have not had any issues with edge chipping or other edge deformations (s30v, 20cv has); could just be good luck since it's a very small sample size, I know.

I got the Ti handle version considering this was gonna be my work knife. Obviously the extra 1.5oz don't bother me for work but at 4.4oz I would still consider it a weekend shorts knife. However, I'm liking this thing so much I think I'm gonna have to get the CF version for that but since you don't get steel liners it likely won't ever come to work with me. The knife is fairly thin but fairly long considering the blade size. That just means it fits my medium to large hands very well and feels pleasing in hand. The plain finish handle is the grippiest of my Ti handle knifes, if that makes any sense, and I feel secure attacking all sorts of stuff with it. Also is easy to open/close with work gloves.

Then the looks. I've read a few comments about how plain this knife looks but I absolutely love it. The blue accents go so well with this thing that they seem subtle yet outstanding at the same time. The pocket clip is awesome. Looks great and works better. Luckily I'm not a fan of deep clips. Also, I love liner locks and was thrilled to see this knife with one. The blade shape and grind is something that really caught my eye from the first moment I saw it. The straight spine and the way the ricasso is angled the same as the handle to a near full flat grind. Very pleasing to my eyes. Obviously looks are subjective but this knife is a home run for me.

The only negative would be the branding on the blade but even that isn't bothering me anymore. I'm not gonna say I like it but I can't say I care it's there. So IMO, if you're on the fence, JUMP!
 
jkilla2279 said:
The quality of materials to the cost. At $184 you get Carbon Fiber, M390, Ti pocket clip and back spacer and rides on bearings whats not to love?????
Click to expand...

Well, you sure have a point. Looks like you are getting a lot for that money!

Is the titanium version cheaper (although a tad heavier)?
 
I just got the Ti version. I agree with everything hectorsn says. And that clip is very much suited to use with jean pockets, unlike other similar machined clips, because it fits perfectly over the thick seam.
 
Hey all, I just stumbled on this thread in a timely manner.
The Orso in Ti is on my very short list for my next knife.
Can anybody tell me about the tip?
Is it relatively stout or thin?
Do you think it would put up with very light prying and stabbing?
Thanks
 
The tip is strong. I'm ashamed to say I have used it for some prying.

And the only thing I stabbed was cardboard just for the hell of it but I know that cardboard was scared as hell afterwards.
 
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