Knife Review Viper Italo

 

- as curvy as an Italian race car

Viper Italo is a knife I have looked at more than once and the reason is simple. It is a very striking knife with its undulating lines.

Interesting to note is that Viper themselves have a bit of a hard time categorizing this knife. If you search on their website, it can be found under the heading "Gentleman & Collection" but also under "Outdoor & Hunting" and "Tactical". That's probably how this knife should be viewed, perhaps somewhat depending on which version you look at. It is a very elegant knife with roots in Italian knife tradition. But it is also a large and sturdy knife with good ergonomics useful for most things.

Viper V5948GO Italo 

Italo is designed by the famous Fabrizio Silvestrelli who is the man behind several knives in Viper's catalog. With this model, he has created a modern knife where the blade shape exudes Italian knife-making. The appearance thus becomes quite unique with the leaf-shaped blade combined with a thumb disc which at the same time forms a thumb ramp.

This model is available, as is often the case with knives from this brand, in several versions. The top model or perhaps rather the collector's version comes with a stainless damask steel blade and a handle made in either titanium or carbon fiber.

Then there is a version with M390-steel and an all ti-handle. To this can be added three models of different colors of G10, black/green/orange where each knife is available in both frame and liner lock version. The same applies to the carbon fiber alternative by the way. It gives a total of eleven knives to choose from.

Italo is a very pleasant acquaintance, as original as it looks

Twitter version: Viper Italo, Italian design at its best. Both elegant and powerful at the same time, finesse, and function in the same object.

Blade

At the more serious end of Italo, a drop point blade is found. Nothing out of the ordinary if it weren't for the fact that the back of this blade arches so much that in relation to a horizontal plane it curves slightly downwards before it changes direction to meet the handle. It gives the blade a distinct leaf shape. It's sometimes found in older Italian knife-making and thus is a quiet flirtation with history.

But otherwise, the lines are more modern. Especially since the knife opens the way it does. Because of that, a disc is found at the blade base. The back is, as often on Viper's knives, elegantly rounded and soft. Nothing to use with fire steel, but a detail that enhances the overall impression. The finish is otherwise a polished transverse satin and the marking is also Viper's usual. Their logo and steel type can be found on the presentation side and on the opposite side, Silvestrelli's discreet marking can be found.

A leaf-shaped drop point blade of almost ten centimeters

Like most things on this knife, the blade is of the highest quality. The steel is M390 which has been hardened to 60-61 HRC, which is optimal for this kind of steel. 

The blade is then completely flat ground, which says something since the blade measures almost three centimeters in height. It is also relatively thin behind the edge (around 0.6 mm). When it's combined with an even, centered, and somewhat sharp factory edge, you get a knife that cuts well straight out of the box. But it could actually have been a bit sharper.

The fully flat ground blade is made of Böhler M390

Something that distinguishes this knife is that it feels nimble and quick despite a large blade. This comes from a good balance. Personally, I wonder how the other versions feel as a metal side adds more mass to the handle. As it is now, the balance point is found in the middle of the finger groove.

Italo is really nice to work with

Then Italo cuts exemplary well. The flat-ground blade works excellently in all everyday chores that it may be exposed to. It is especially good at handling cardboard. But the knife doesn't shy away from heavier jobs either. Cutting nylon straps and cable ties go very smoothly. Rubber hosing poses a bigger challenge. But it is an infamous tricky material and in return, the ergonomics are tested and they are very good. It is also noticeable when cutting and carving wood with this knife. Something that is also a surprisingly pleasant experience.

Handle

Like the blade, the handle on this knife is special. Mostly because in this embodiment it lacks a frame. The material is solid G10. A construction method I appreciate as it is strong enough, as it turns out.* What the lack of frame gives is a very light knife. Italo weighs 120 grams in this version and it is not much for such a large knife.

A grip area of more than eleven centimeters is sufficient even for large hands

The sides are smooth on the inside, which gives less surface for dirt to attach to. Or rather, one side is. The other houses the lock that extends along the inside and attaches to the backspacer. The exteriors have been 3D-shaped for better comfort. To increase the traction, they have been given a pattern that reminds me of sound waves. They provide high friction and there is really no risk of this knife slipping out of your hand. Especially not as the handle has a finger guard, a marked depression for the index finger, and a ducktail towards the end.

The shape hides that the handle is rather thick.
A partial backspacer in titanium is found at the back 

The sides have then been assembled with three screws in addition to the pivot screw. Unfortunately, the size is small T6s and the adjustable pivot is a T8. With that said, Viper uses good quality screws and is one of very few manufacturers who even state the material in the hardware on their website.

The sides are screwed into a titanium back-spacer. Like the back of the blade, it has an elegant roundness and is not sharp anywhere.

The knife is neutrally balanced and most grips work except for that the index finger
cannot be placed on the back of the blade due to the thumb ramp

The ample length means that it is no problem for a hand to fit almost regardless of size. The grip area itself measures more than eleven centimeters. Also, this is a deceptively thick handle, even if it does not look like it at first glance. Over the back or rather where the handle is widest, Italo measures a full 15 mm. The handle is also over three centimeters high, which combined means that it also fills my paws fairly well. It provides good comfort when working with the knife.

Opening and Lock

If the blade has an unusual shape and the handle a not that common construction, the opening of this knife is completely unique. No less than five different opening methods can be used, which must be some kind of record. Whether it is conscious or not, I leave unsaid.

Firstly, Italo can be opened calmly with two hands. A sufficient amount of blade is sticking out so it can be grabbed easily. 

Method number two is more obvious as a flipper tab protrudes from the top of the handle. It is small, equipped with som grooves for traction, and exemplarily rounded. What is even better is that it also works well. It accelerates the blade to a decent speed and it makes it reliably. It is possible to fail, but only after some effort. The big blade runs on ball bearings.

The flipper tab is just one of the opening methods on this knife

The reason why you can fail after all is that the resistance from the detent ball is quite weak. Not so absent that the blade opens accidentally. The knife is by no means dangerous but does not have that resistance that appeals to flipper fetishists.

But that entails a third opening method. The combination of a lot of mass in the blade and less resistance from the detent means that a wrist flick sends out the blade with authority. It is thus possible to "gravity open" the knife as well.

The fourth and more conscious alternative is of course the thumb disc that was mentioned initially. It is correctly placed insofar as it is both easy to find and use. It sits a bit out on the blade but not so much that it gets in the way when cutting.

The thumb plate also doubles as a "wave function"

The way the thumb disc is shaped and how it is attached to the blade gives method number five, a "wave function". The small lip effectively grabs the edge of the trousers if the knife is placed far enough back in the pocket, whereupon the blade folds out automatically when the knife is pulled. A feature I might have been without but which in this case is better than the original in my opinion as it is smaller. This makes it possible to avoid accidentally unfolding the knife by placing it closer to the center of the pocket.

The lock bar looks thinner than it actually is.

However, the function is exemplary

The liner lock on this knife seems to be on the weaker side judging from looks alone but not in practice.

What makes it appear slim is a combination of the fact that it is actually quite thin but also that is both beveled and rounded. But to get the correct function, it is instead quite high. It is a dimension that is sometimes missed in this context. The end result is a really good lock. The lock bar does not slip under negative pressure against the blade while the lock holds the blade in a firm grip. No play or wiggle here. Since access has been facilitated with a recess in one of the handle sides and the lock bar is provided with grooves, it is both easy to find and release.

To Carry

Big but light is the first impression of this knife and that feeling remains. Much because it sums up this version of Italo quite well. The handle is 12.5 cm long and is also 15 mm thick. Something that the overall shape hides well. At the highest point, the knife measures over four centimeters folded, which is also noticeable. But despite the beefy dimensions, the knife is not terrible to carry.

Much of it has to do with weight. In this G10 version, it weighs in at a meager 120 grams. Not much for a knife with a 9.5 cm long blade and a substantial handle.

Italo has been equipped with an unusually long wire clip that attaches to the backspacer

Italo has got a deep-ride clip that hides the entire knife in the pocket. As can be seen, it is a wire-clip. Compared to many other clips of this type on the market, it's slightly longer. Maybe even a little too long to be honest. This makes less sturdy laterally and it moves if pushed. If you know that detail annoys you, do not choose this knife. But in return, it makes the clip "slip away" when the knife is gripped hard and feels less when using the knife. The length of the handle also means that the loop, which is often a problem area for deep-carry clips, is kept out of the hand in normal grips and therefore causes no hot spot. 

Nothing of the handle is visible when carried in a pocket

The clip type also makes the knife very discreet where it sits and it gives no clue to that a fairly large knife hides there. However, how the clip is attached to the rear end of the knife means that it cannot be moved from the right to the left side, so left-handed do not bother.

Proper tension in the clip makes Italo very easy to both pull and put away. The coarse G10 material means that the knife sits securely without the risk of being dropped. But considering how deep the knife carries, I do not think there is a major problem with either the titanium or carbon fiber versions either.

To Conclude

Viper Italo is a knife that got "it", whatever it is. Personality, perhaps I would have argued if it were not for talking about a dead thing. But it is a knife that stands out positively among many herrings in the shoal which constitutes the knife market.

Italo offers a distinct design language that permeates the entire knife without compromising on either function or appearance. It is an elegant knife, although this bright orange variant may offer a bit less of that characteristic than, say, the titanium or carbon fiber versions. On the other hand, it feels more practical with its lightweight, good balance and the fact that it is easy to find if you happen to lose it in, for example, moss. And as I said earlier, there are choices if this particular color does not appeal to you.

With Italo, Viper has created a large EDC knife that is as elegant as a cup of black Italian coffee

This knife is simply large, original, fidget friendly, and practical. All good characteristics for a sturdy EDC-knife. The base is of course good design and here it has been paired with good and well-chosen materials. G10 is light and strong and so is the titanium found in the backspacer. The blade steel, Böhler M390, is one of the finest available. The materials have been well utilized in that the build quality is consistently very high and this also applies to the finish. The blade shape is excellent as it gives a piece of a straight edge to work with while you still have a belly for sweeping cuts and use against flat surfaces. The tip is strong and capable.

To utilize these good properties, a good handle is required and you get it in this knife. It is well-shaped and with enough space for all hands, including gloved ones when the weather so demands. But of course, there are disadvantages to that as well. Italo is noticeable in a pocket. Not in terms of weight then but in terms of volume. Italo is quite simply a substantial knife. With that said, the clip makes the carry as discreet as can be.

Then there was the "fidget factor". For those who are interested in such matters, it can be said that it is sky-high. Five opening methods combined with a lock that is both easy to access and disengage make the knife very easy to open and close. Especially as the weight of the blade in combination with ball bearings means that it closes with very little assistance.

But it is outdoors that the Viper Italo really shines!

I can just say that I understand why this model has remained in Viper's catalog for several years. Simply put, it's a damn good knife.

A knife that combines quantities as a nice exterior with great build quality and excellent practical properties. They are not always found in one and the same knife. Especially not when it stands out in the crowd.

Specification:

Length Overall: 220 mm

Length Folded: mm

Weight: 120 g

Blade Length: 95 mm

Blade Thickness: mm

Blade Steel: M390

Handle: G10

Lock: Liner lock

Produced by: Viper, made in Italy

/ J - want to go to Maniago

* Even Cold Steel uses that method from time to time.

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