- when little brother almost surpasses big brother
The name of this knife from Italian Viper Knives, Twin, is not taken out of thin air. Namely, it complements another knife with a similar appearance called Turn. They strongly resemble each other in appearance, but there are also substantial differences. Where one knife has a one-hand opening and lock, the other has a two-handed opening and is a slip joint.
This is also where the interesting part lies. This is what makes it a "modern traditional" as everything else is extremely contemporary.
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| Viper Twin |
Behind both models is one of Viper Knives' most frequent knife makers/designers, Fabricio "Silver" Silvestrelli.
What he has done is that he has taken a fairly traditional type of knife but used modern materials. The appearance is enhanced by the fact that the knife has a double bolster. But where older knives often have simpler steel and natural materials such as wood or bone in the sides of the handles, "super steel" and other modern materials are found here.
At the time of writing, the knife is available in five different versions. All have double bolsters but then the materials in the handle sides vary from G10 via Micarta to carbon fiber. The steel is the same and comes from Böhler/Uddeholm.
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| Twin is a very elegant slip joint designed by Silvestrelli |
Short version: If you want to investigate what a knife with the designation "modern traditional" means, the Viper Twin is one of the better!
Blade
The blade style is easily recognizable since we are talking about a modern interpretation of a classic knife. It is a typical clip point. Although, it's not completely traditional after all. Certainly, the false edge on the cut part of the blade is not unique, but the blade has also been given a bit of a "harpoon" look, which gives a bit of a thumb ramp just like its big brother Turn.
Then Twin has a detail that is quite typical for Viper Knives: the back of the blade is elegantly rounded. Maybe not necessary but it makes the knife feel more worked and looks good.
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| A clip-point blade that is as stylish as it is effective |
The blade length is 77 mm and the height stops at a maximum of 22.5 mm. The thickness of the blade is kept to a good 3 mm. The finish is an excellent satin finish. On the presentation side of the blade, the name can be read along with Viper's logo, and on the ricasso the steel type is found.
The material is the very renowned M390. One of the most frequently used steels on finer folding knives in recent years. It may not be the best steel in all categories, but it's well balanced, takes a good sharpness, and keeps it for a long time. In addition, it is very resistant to rust despite other good properties.
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| The steel is M390 and it has been given a high flat grind from a 3 mm stock thickness |
The blade is flat-grind down to a thickness behind the edge of approx. 0.3-0.4 mm. That and the relatively tall blade make for a knife that cuts well. Especially as the factory edge was very sharp. You know, like in shaving arm hair without pressure.
That makes it an excellent little pocket knife that handles most everyday tasks with flying colors. And quite a few others too for that matter. This little bugger is actually not too bad to carve with. As long as it happens within reasonable limits, of course. The limitation comes naturally from the format. It is a fairly small knife and it lacks a lock.
Of course, the lack of a lock means the user must be careful when working with the tip. As I do when I have to puncture large plastic cans so that they don't clink when I pour out of them. It is a recurring task at my work. But that's where the other peculiarity comes in. Twin requires two hands to open which comes with the territory. However, that makes it less suitable for my work anyway, as I often hold what I want to open with one hand and bring out a knife with the other.
Handle
Like the blade shape, the handle shape is classic. However, the material is not. The frame itself, including the massive bolsters, is made of titanium. This makes the knife significantly lighter than an old Buck 112 for example, even though the construction is similar. However, this knife is screwed and not riveted together.
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| This version of the knife has ivory G10 handle sides |
This means two liners with massive metal bolsters. They are then screwed together with two screws found under the handle sides. They, in turn, are attached with two more screws each. The size of all is T6. A larger T8 is found in the adjustable pivot screw.
The sides are in this case G10 and a special one. It is called "Ivory" G10. I chose them because I have a soft spot for white bone and horn handles and these are reminiscent of those. However, with much better durability, one might add.
The fit between the different materials is really well done. No joints or edges can be felt, only the transition from one material to another.
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| In the back is the spring that holds the blade in place. Like everything else on knives from Viper, it is softly rounded and polished |
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| The fit and finish of this knife is very good |
The handle is just under a decimeter long, but some of that length is lost at the front bolster in terms of grip. However, what is left is enough for all the fingers to fit. In addition, there are recesses for both the index and little fingers.
The thickness of the handle is 11 mm at its widest point. Namely, the handle slabs are finely crafted and rounded. This applies to both them and the titanium frame, which is also shaped and well-polished. No sharp corners can be found on this knife no matter how you look.
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| It's accurate but a four-finger grip is possible and even comfortable on the Twin |
Opening and Lock
When talking about slip joints, you often hear terms like "pull" and "walk and talk". That is, firstly, how well the back spring holds the blade in place in the closed position. Here I would say 4-5 on a ten-point scale. Not so hard that you break your nails, but also not so light that the blade risks opening somehow. Speaking of nails, there is a single-sided nail notch to facilitate opening the knife.
Thankfully, it is not needed, but it is fine to pinch around the part of the blade that sticks out and thus get the blade out.
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| Twin has a nice halfway stop |
The way the knife feels when opened is really likable. It's smooth and consistent, interrupted only by the distinctive halfway stop that acts like a safety feature. It prevents the blade, under the force of the spring, from closing over the user's fingertips when the knife is closed.
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| The slip joint mechanism is very well made and keeps the blade in a relatively good grip |
In the outer position, the knife stops with a reassuring dull "smack". Then it sits there as securely as it does on a good slip-joint knife. Laterally there is no play at all. Should such a thing occur, on a "modern traditional" you can tighten the pivot screw, unlike the riveted constructions of older times.
The transition between the back spring and blade is nicely done with a barely visible joint. Especially as it is found in the middle of one of the five grooves found there.
To Carry
The Viper Twin is a small and nimble knife. This is of course reflected in how it feels in a pocket. The weight is a low 88 grams and the length, as previously mentioned, is under one decimetre. Even with the leather sheath, the knife is under 14 mm thick, so there are no problems in that respect either.
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| Viper Knives often ships with a leather sheath |
I actually use the leather pouch myself. It protects both sides and bolsters from chafing. This applies especially if you also carry something other than the knife in the same pocket.
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| I took the picture for fun - of course, the knife is not visible in the pocket |
As I said, Twin lacks a clip and that brings both advantages and disadvantages. The fact that the knife is not as easily accessible is of course on the negative side. But you can also say that in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred a knife without a clip is more comfortable to hold and work with.
To that can be added that almost all knives look better without a clip. Someone might argue against it, but then I just say words like "symmetry" and that you avoid a typical "presentation" and backside of the knife.
To Conclude
With this knife, Viper and Silverstrelli have created a real masterpiece. Twin is a joy to look at and almost as nice to use. The only thing that holds it back from an even higher praise in this regard is the size, but on the other hand, in that case, it would have belonged to a different class of knives.
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| Here Twin is seen side by side with his big brother Turn who was mentioned at the beginning. It is a knife for those who want a larger knife with one-handed opening and lock |
Now it's a small pocket knife with everything that goes with it. And as such it is brilliant. The handle is pleasant to hold and well-made in terms of manufacturing quality. The fit is excellent and all the typical quality markers are there. The absence of blade play, a smooth feeling when opened, a distinct halfway stop, a centered blade tip, softly rounded corners and edges, and, not least, nice transitions between the materials.
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| If you are looking for a small, stylish, and efficient pocket knife, take a look at Viper Twin |
The materials ain't too shabby either with a frame and bolster in nicely machined and shaped titanium matched by ivory G10 in the handle. In addition, a blade in M390 is also excellent.
But the best is still the design of the blade. Super steel in all its glory, but it is still the blade shape and above all, the blade profile that makes a knife. When it is also paired with a sharp edge, the result is this good!
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| Viper Twin, a personal favorite |
Actually, I have no major objections to the Viper Twin. If something negative has to be said, it has more to do with the knife type. You either like slip joints or you don't. Some people also cannot do without certain functions that they got used to such as clip and one-handed opening. If you know you are one of them, this is obviously not for you. But then you can always choose Twin's larger relative Turn.
But for everyone else, it's a damn good knife. Especially as I personally find it extremely likable to look at.
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| Viper Knives |
Specification:
Length Overall: 176 mm
Length Folded: 99 mm
Weight: 88 g (weighed by me, stated 88g)
Blade Length: 77 mm
Blade Thickness: 3 mm
Blade Steel: Böhler/Uddehom M390
Handle Materials: Titanbolster/elfenbens G10
Lock: None, slip joint
Produced by: Viper Knives, made in Italy
/ J - looking for similarities
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