Review Viper Orso 2

  

-  a sequel for those who prefer frame locks over liner locks

It's time for a closer look at a model called Orso 2 from Viper Knives. What makes both this review and the knife somewhat special is that there are already a couple of knives on the market that it strongly resemble and are also made in Maniago, Italy.

It's hard not to relate to them as I own all three and the same designer is behind the knives.

Viper Orso 2

Of course, I am talking about one of the Danish giants in the field, Jens Ansø. The other knives are the Fox Ziggy, a series-produced version of a custom knife of the same name. But then we come to knife number two, the MKM Goccia. It is seemingly even more similar to this knife with its milled pattern Micarta handle, flipper tab, and overall flowing lines.

But there are of course differences. If we talk about materials, there are no less than eight different versions of Orso 2 at the moment. So this look is more down to my taste than everything else, I happen to like Micarta. Then the blade steel is not the same in the two knives. The biggest differences, however, are found in the design of the blade and lock construction. To confuse, however, Orso (1) can be thrown into the mix as it, like Goccia, is a liner lock.

That hardly made anyone the wiser, so let's study Orso 2 more closely.

Orso 2 is a knife designed by virtuoso Jens Ansø

Short version: Viper Orso 2, is a solid addition to its predecessor for those who prefer frame locks over liner locks.

Blade

The blade shape is one of the two things that set this knife apart from the other knives listed. In this case, we have a "straight" blade. That is, the back is neither sloped nor cut off in any way. In addition to changing the appearance, it means that the tip is found higher up than otherwise and that the belly becomes longer and in this case more sweeping.

The rest of the appearance is characterized by a well-executed semi-polished stone wash. As usual, the Viper logo and model name are found on the blade. Some people think that the text is too large, but I would like to add that it is designed so that in many angles it is barely visible at all. On the opposite side is the Ansø logo and steel type.

Orso 2, has a completely straight blade spine, which is unusual

A steel that is actually completely new to me. The designation is LO-QPM20-4 and it is a powder steel of some kind. From what I understand, it should belong to the same family as the M390 and 20CV. A quality steel in other words. It is reportedly hardened to 59-61HRC which sounds good on paper.

The Orso 2 is not an entirely small knife with a blade that measures 87 mm in length. The height is exactly one inch, 24.5 mm, and the material thickness is a whopping 4 mm. A solid blade in other words. Now, the blade is basically completely flat ground, a small flat surface is found closest to the ricasso. But despite that, around 0.6 mm of steel remains behind the edge. That is very robust. I don't know why they chose to go down that road. A powder steel should theoretically have no problem being made thinner. Especially not as this is not a chopper of any kind but a folding knife.

The blade is made of a rather uncommon steel with the designation LO-QPM20-4

Naturally, such choices affect how well the knife cuts. It's not that it isn't sharp, the edge is good and it was straight out of the box. But it is more sturdy and durable than filled with finesse, so to speak.

Now it is matched for every part of the handle and the lock, so it is not completely bad. But it moves Orso 2 away from office use and closer to outdoor use, to use somewhat sweeping terms. That's actually where I appreciate it the most. Of course, it cuts tape, cardboard, and paper when needed. But it is when you approach thicker ropes, heavier plastics such as wide cable ties, and above all wood that it performs best.

At first glance, the Orso 2 might not appear to be a "bushcraft" knife, and it isn't. But it is not bad for more demanding outdoor tasks. In addition, both the blade and the handle are strong enough, and, not least, the robust edge does its job in those contexts.

Handle

Orso 2 has a rather lavish handle. What makes me say that is not the two materials although the canvas Micarta on the presentation side is of good quality. Instead, the comment stems from the fact that a lot of processing time is spent on the handle.

Alongside the handle side, there is a pattern in the form of four lines that underline the look of the knife. They also reappear on the titanium side and thus bind the two sides together. It also has a finer basic pattern that is a bit reminiscent of Micarta. However, it is so subtle that it is almost brushed away.

The presentation side is in this case Canvas-Micarta

Otherwise, the knife is softly rounded, with no flat handle sides. Some effort also went into the back spacer. It covers approximately half of the back and is somewhat "floating". It also features a hole for a lanyard. 

The two sides are connected by an advanced-shaped backspacer

The length of the handle measures 12 cm, of which the grip surface is 10 cm and the height varies between 20-25 mm. The handle has no frame, but the two sides are screwed from two sides via the back spacer in three points in addition to the pivot screw. The size of the bolts is T6, while tougher T8 heads have been used in both the pivot and fastening screw for the clip.

Orso 2 has a well-thought-out handle

In hand, the Orso 2 is really comfortable. The curvature of the back of the handle follows the hand well and there are no sharp edges or corners to disturb that impression. Even the clip works well as the back end is a bit into the handle and the tip is parallel to the side of the handle. This means that it integrates well with the handle and rather contributes to making the grip fuller than creating hot spots. 

The thickness is 12.5 mm, which makes the handle full.

Opening and Lock

Orso 2 is not exactly trendy when it comes to opening methods. This knife opens with a flipper, period. You may be able to get the blade out with two hands but it is cumbersome as not much of the blade is available to grip.

The flipper works well but may not be the fastest on the market. This is partly because the blade is relatively heavy and partly because Orso follows at least one, and in my eyes healthy, trend. It is to generally make flipper tabs smaller. This way you don't get as big leverage but, on the other hand, better-carrying comfort and as a bonus, better looks. 

The flipper tab is small but works

The flipper tab is not only discreet, but it also lacks grooves. But the shape is distinct enough to give decent friction anyway.

Then it can be added that it is actually possible to get some kick to the blade, but you have to "pre-tension" the finger to do so. The knife itself is not fast unless the user is, so to speak. It can also be said that this tab can only be used in one way and that is by pulling straight back. All other techniques are doomed to failure.

Another detail that makes the blade more nimble is of course the ceramic ball bearings. Even so, the blade does not fall into place under its own weight when the knife is closed. The tension from the lock bar is too high to allow that. 

The frame lock comes with an overtravel stop and a lock bar steel insert 

The lock bar is not quite easily accessible. There is a small recess on the opposite side but no more

The lock is a fairly sturdy frame lock. However, it was noted during the test period that it can be very dependent on the pivot screw being tight. It loosened slightly at one point and the lock became unreliable. It didn't lock securely at every opening and there was also some lock slip because it locked with very little contact area. After adjusting the pivot screw, the function was excellent.

The lock bar now falls into place and stays there. The blade sits firmly without play in any direction. However, the lock is not completely easily accessible. Certainly, the opposite side is slightly recessed but the lock bar itself is slippery. There is potential for improvement in this area.

To Carry

For being around twelve centimeters long when folded and a full 1.2 cm thick, the Orso 2 is nice in a pocket. Much of it is due to the fact that the thickness is hidden by the sides not being flat but contoured.

Then the knife does not weigh very much for being a full-size knife where both the lock side, back spacer, and clip are made of metal. The total weight is 125 g, which should be set to a blade length of nearly nine centimeters.

Orso 2 comes with a milled titanium clip

The fact that there is no distinct pattern under the clip makes it easier to pull the knife or put it back. Especially since Viper chose the more stylish solution with the cut-out in the lock bar on the inside instead of on the outside. This avoids the edge that otherwise occurs.

The function of the clip is excellent for being of this type

Orso 2 has a milled titanium clip. The function is not bad at all with a decent ramp and adequate tension. This allows you to thread the clip over most fabric edges and the knife stays in place. It is also a clip that aesthetically follows the rest of the design language, and it is also comfortable when gripping the knife.

However, the latter brings with it a disadvantage and that is that much of the knife is visible when in a pocket. The clip is attached with only one screw, a solution that works perfectly because it is recessed in the titanium. But this means that it's positioned a bit up on the handle, which provides comfort since the back end of the clip ends up inside the hand.

If you want to be positive, you can also say that there are plenty of knife to grab when it is to be grabbed. 

To Conclude

At first, I was actually a little puzzled when this knife was released. Not only because it is a sequel to an already existing model, Orso, but also because it is quite similar to two more knives in my collection as I mentioned before. But then I grasped the concept, both figuratively and literally.

Part of the difference lies in the handle. This is a knife for those who prefer frame locks over liner locks, that is obvious. But that is still not the biggest difference between the models.

Namely, it is found in the blade shape. The others have features of the undulating lines that Ansø used in its early models. It is most obvious on the blade spine. However, this does not apply to Orso 2. Here, the back is completely straight.

Orso 2 is a knife for those who like straight blade shapes and frame locks in titanium

It actually gives slightly different user characteristics as it affects how the edge or rather the belly behaves but above all where you find the tip. In this case, very high up. Among other things, this makes sweeping cuts easier, while at the same time, you have to angle your wrist properly if you want to use the tip in certain cases. 

Then in this knife is found an exciting and for me new German steel which is said to belong to roughly the same family as the M390/CV20. As for that, I can only read steel compositions and am not knowledgeable enough to find out if it is correct. As for practical use, I can say that the steel is really good. It stays sharp for a long time, can be stropped when it has lost the outermost sting and it has not got any rust spots despite varying weather conditions during the test period with some rain.

The latter feels important as the Orso 2 is definitely a knife that I want to use outdoors. To me, this is almost more of a folding outdoor knife than an EDC knife. Especially as it belongs to the larger-sized medium knives if you can put it that way. But a solid lock and a slightly fuller handle entice, in addition to the blade, to use the knife seriously.

An early morning with a cup of coffee by a lake and a good companion in Viper Orso 2

Then the fit and finish, as usual with knives from Viper, is outstanding. The edges that are present are rounded as they should be. The lock works without complaint and the blade is centered. The Micarta also ages with dignity, which is excellent.

Orso 2 also offers some small details that indicate that some extra time was spent during the manufacturing process. This applies to things like the rounded blade spine, the titanium collar around the pivot screw, and the complex back spacer.

All in all, this results in a well-built knife that corresponds to the stylish design from Jens Ansø. Orso 2 is therefore a superb companion for your upcoming adventures.*

Viper Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 208 mm

Length Folded: 121 mm

Weight: 125 g

Blade Length: 87 mm

Blade Thickness: 4 mm

Blade Steel: LO-QPM20-4, HRC 59-61

Handle: Canvas-Micarta

Lock: Frame Lock

Produced by Viper Knives, made in Italy

/ J 

* The price level is somewhat difficult to comment on as it is usually just over two hundred Euros, but when purchasing this knife and when the text was published it was sold out for around 160€.

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Ny kniv - ZT 0230

Monte Carlo är ett namn som har en air av elegans kring sig vare sig man varit där eller ej. Inte minst efter alla Bond-filmer. En kniv som definitivt hade passat i fickan på en smoking är kniven med samma namn från Jens Ansø. Jag förmodar att det var så tankegångarna gick när han namngav den för övrigt.

Tyvärr spelar jag inte på casinon eller tyvärr och tyvärr, tack och lov snarare. Men hur som haver är kassan ofta är skral och de finansiella musklerna räcker inte för att bryta arm med customtillverkade danskar så någon handgjord Monte Carlo är långt ifrån aktuellt.

Därför blev jag rätt glad när Jens och Zero Tolerance beslutade sig för att inleda ett samarbete och göra en serietillverkad version av den kniven.  

Zero Tolerance ZT 0230

Modellen fick "namnet" 0230. Det vill säga ZT gör inga avsteg från sin namngivningsprincip den här gången heller och ger kniven ett sexigt nummer istället. Ett som vi entusiaster förväntas komma ihåg.

Sexigare än namnet är formerna. Faktiskt tämligen trogna förlagan. Elegant var bara förnamnet och linjerna matchas av materialen som är kolfiber i handtaget, aluminium i back spacern och CPM 20CV i sheeps foot-bladet. 

Kniven är en slipjoint för övrigt och saknar därtill clip. Det gör att den mer eller mindre kan sorteras i facket modern traditionals som jag talat om en del här tidigare. 

/ J - casinotestare

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Knife review Fox Ziggy

-  Danish design meets Italian know-how

Some say that everyone is becoming more conservative with age. I don't know if that is necessarily true but the final result will, in any case, be dependent on the starting point. The same applies to Jens Ansø's design language. Recently, he has presented a series of kitchen knives that look extremely sympathetic and also released custom knives like Monte Carlo and Casino. Well, there seems to be a theme there. Common to all of these knives are a restrained design language and elegance.

Very elegant knives as said but they are far from as bold as say models like Amok or Crash from his early years. That goes for the collaborations as well. In the beginning, knives such as Spyderco Zulu, Böker 67 and Albatross were representative of that segment.

Nowadays, the models that are released are somewhat less challenging but also more practical I would argue. This is a good example of that. The model is called Ziggy and comes from Fox Knives.

Fox Knives FX-308CFB Ziggy

This knife is a direct translation from Jen's custom model with the same name, or maybe not. From what I can tell, the original looks more compact with a slightly wider blade and a taller handle. Fox Ziggy gives a leaner impression. But I haven't handled the original so take that statement for what it's worth.

In terms of production knives, Jens has previously collaborated with Fox and recently released the model Livri and formerly Mojo, Zero, and Anso Flipper. The latter looks like a transition between Zulu and Ziggy by the way.

This knife is available in a couple of different variants with handle in wood or as here, in carbon fiber and with black or a satin blade finishes.

Steel and carbon fiber in harmony from Italian Fox Knives

Twitter version: Fox Ziggy, a must for those who like Ansø design but don't 
have the means to buy a custom

Blade

This blade shape is basically very straightforward. It's a drop point, no more no less. What makes it interesting, however, is Ansø's ability to make knife blades look almost organic. The angle of the sweeping edge, along with how the spine of the blade slightly arches before it slopes downward to meet the tip, makes the blade visually interesting.* In addition to being attractive, it also gives a very practical blade in this case.

In length the blade measures eight centimeters, the height is 27 mm and the thickness is 3,5 mm.

A blackened drop point that carries Ansø's unmistakable lines

This knife blade is blackened with something Fox calls Idroglider. That coating has then got a stone wash treatment. The surface is both scratch-resistant and durable. Under the black coating, fairly common steel is found in the Böhler / Uddeholm N690. Not extreme steel and it is often compared to Japanese VG10 for example. I think it is good steel since it is rather stainless and not least that it is easy to sharpen. A trait that I value quite highly.

Speaking of sharpening, the blade comes from the factory with a full flat grind. The factory edge was rather good,  sharp and even more important, symmetric and with a uniform height. The sharpening choil extends beyond the plunge line with the tightest of margins.

If you are uncertain about the designer you will find both his name and steel type on the back of the blade 

On this model, Fox has shown some restraint and kept the stock thickness to 3,5 mm instead of, say 4 mm that is quite common these days. But it could have been three millimeters by all means. This is hardly a commando knife.

That said, this knife cuts more than decent through most materials. The blade is extremely competent and of course works fine for processing "everyday materials", ie plastic, cardboard of different types, and other packaging materials, etc.

But the blade can handle more serious tasks than that. That applies to cut nylon rope, cable ties, pieces of carpet and wood. But when I tried the latter, I encountered a small problem that clearly told me that the blade is not the limitation on this knife but the handle. The distinctive pattern results in semi-sharp edges both on the back of the handle towards the blade and on the underside where you place your pinky. When you apply more force behind the cuts working on wood, the blade bites well but the handle creates some hotspots that hurt without gloves. In this area, the knife does not shine. But on the other hand, it is more thought of as a general EDC knife and not a small camping knife or whittler.

Within that area, the blade is excellent though. Even in the kitchen when it comes to simpler cutting tasks like chopping tomatoes or dicing onions. But I firmly argue that Ansø's kitchen knife models do better in that environment. Folding knives are never good in a kitchen. They can only be more or less bad.

Handle

The handle is very distinct looking with a large rock pattern that has become something of a hallmark for Jens over the years. So much so that it is often referred to as an Ansø pattern. It makes the handle interesting while providing a good grip. The disadvantage is that it can create some hotspots as discussed above. The ridges created by the pattern itself are not the problem but the edges that arise when they terminate at the corners of the handle. The lines become a bit too distinct simply put. Good looking but not the most practical. 

A very well-shaped carbon fiber handle with the typical Ansø pattern

The construction consists of a frame with a partial backspacer. It covers about a third of the back. Open enough to blow through with some compressed air for cleaning if desired. Although I belong to those who argue that it is just as easy to clean a closed-back folding knife from pocket lint and dust if you have access to such equipment.

The frame is steel and symbolically lightened on the non-locking side. That is, there is a small hole in one of the liners, nothing more.

But the balance is decent nevertheless and the balance point is found almost in the middle of the finger choil. The liners are also rounded both at the back and the inside. But they could have been even a tad bit more so I believe. 

The thickness of the handle is dependent on whether you take the 
measurement on the ridges or between them

Besides that choil, the handle is straightforward. It has a slightly curved back, it tapers a bit towards the rear end and the flipper tab forms a small finger guard.

The pattern I talked about before is done in very appealing carbon fiber in this case. The carbon fiber is worth an extra mention as the quality is very high, completely free of voids or cracks and with deep luster. The knife is also available with wooden scales for those who prefer a more traditional look.

The sides are screwed into the frame with T6 screws and the pivot is a bit larger, it's a T8

The handle accommodates the whole hand

The shape makes this handle comfortable or even very comfortable in most grips. The pattern gives a good grip, but the edges could have been better-rounded. Without the sharp edges, this handle would have been a real hit. But without these crisp lines, the knife may lose a bit in appearance. I'm tempted to say "It remains to be seen" as I am thinking of attacking the handle with a piece of sandpaper.

The size of the handle is sufficient for a full four-finger grip regardless of position. The shape of the handle is also of the deceptively simple type that does not tell you how to hold the knife. The kind I prefer to be honest.

Opening and lock

This knife opens with authority. The explanation can be found in a fairly small but well-placed flipper tab and a well-tuned detent ball.

The tab ain't sharp, which both fingers and other stuff that that shares the pocket appreciate. On the contrary, Fox has softened the edges quite well. In fact, so well that this flipper tab could need some grooves carved into the steel for better friction. As it is now it happens that you miss and slip off the flipper tab. If you are careful and drag your finger along the frame, however, there is no problem. An alternative that works here is also to push straight down, a so-called push-button opening.

The flipper tab is small, nice looking and a tad bit too slippery

The locking mechanism is a superbly designed steel liner lock. Maybe not the trendiest on the market, but it works. In this case, really well, I might add. There is no play in any direction. No sideways wiggle and no vertical movement. Just as it should be.

A very well made liner lock that does not slip even when provoked

To access the lock bar when the lock is to be released it is necessary to use the soft parts on the thumb and jam into the frame. However, it works decently in this case since the lock bar pressure is not too strong. Besides, it is equipped with grooves that give more traction. The advantages of letting the locking arm sit so deep in the handle are partly that it is not felt when holding the handle tightly, but also that the risk of the lock to release during twisting movements is almost non-existent.

To Carry

Once pocketed, Ziggy is really neutral in a good way. Just over a hundred grams in weight, twelve centimeters in length and a height of 32 millimeters folded makes this a decently compact knife. The width is trickier because it varies a lot. Between 11-15 mm depending on where you take your measurement, which is quite a lot. 

A kind of unique clip that is straight in shape and very flat where it sits

Ziggy boasts one of the flattest clips I've seen. But it works surprisingly well despite the minimal ramp. Oridinary pants, as well as jeans, are no problem. I haven't tried the knife in work pants. The length of the clip is well adapted and the tension excellent. Unfortunately, a lot of the knife shows where it sits in the pocket and this is due to the tandem placement of the fastening screws.

The clip placement makes a fair bit of the handle visible

The good thing the placement brings is that the curved part of the clip ends up inside your hand. If it is, which is the case here, paired with a very flat clip with a small ramp, you get something that is basically not felt at all when you use the knife. The only thing I have come across that matches this in comfort is recessed clips.

I'm not sure the clip had worked with all materials such as coarse G10. But the carbon fiber is slippery enough for the knife to slide against the fabric both on its way out and back into the pocket. I imagine the same goes for the wooden handle version.

To look good and not disrupt the pattern and end up with fewer drill holes the clip can't be moved. A disadvantage for all left-handers, of course.

To Conclude

The knife, that I presume is named after Ziggy Stardust, is an interesting piece. It is elegant with a couple of details that really oozes Ansø. The pattern on the handle is an obvious one, but also the curvature of the blade is a result of his penmanship.

Fox has done the original justice, which has resulted in a good looking knife which also is quite practical.  

Fox Ziggy, practical everyday design from Jens Ansø

The blade is the most prosaic part. Fully flat ground, not too thick and with a nice sweeping belly. Personally, I prefer non-coated blades but this was the knife I got hold of. However, the black coating has proved very durable and scratch-resistant during the test period.

A small remission has been made in favor of the vanity. The handle could have been even better with more rounded edges. Otherwise, the shape itself is excellent which is often a sign of a good designer. Unless you chose to do something completely different for the sake of the appearance of course, like pure art knives.

Ziggy is also well built. It is noticeable that Fox Knives knows what they are doing. Simple things like centering and factory edge are excellent. Lock geometry and action are also very good. Overall, the knife gives an impression of quality.

A knife that is both appealing to look at and to use

In other words, this is definitely a knife to consider for those who like Danish design and especially those who stem from the mind of Jens Ansø but can't afford or get a handmade Ziggy, or think Fox Ansø flipper is too big. Included is a well-built EDC knife with a really competent blade. A most compelling combination if I may say so myself.

The maker's product page can be found here.

Specification:

Length, overall: 200 mm

Length, folded: 120 mm

Weight: 115 g

Blade length: 80 mm

Blade thickness: 3,5 mm

Blade steel: N690Co

Handle: Carbon fiber on a steel frame

Lock: Liner lock

Produced by: Fox, made in Italy

* Those who are into Ansø can see the family similarity between the blades of the more extreme Spyderco Zulu via Böker Whale to Fox Ziggy.

/ J - the danish fox

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