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I got the Viper Novis because it's moderately sized and is all curvy with NO hot spots to irritate my hand. I chose the full-length Micarta scales version so there are no obstructions at all on this knife to impede me from getting it out of my pocket. There is no pocket clip either. Yay! The construction is extremely solid for a moderately sized knife. There is a 4-inch handle enclosing a 3-inch blade, meaning that I can get all of my large-ish fingers around the handle. The top of the blade is curved side-to-side so that I can move my thumb way out on it for excellent blade control. Add to that a very sharp, stout Wharncliffe blade with a slight belly made of M390 steel and I have a knife which is a perfect generalist pocket knife. To be blunt about it: I love the Viper Novis. I consider the Viper Novis to be the Baby Brother to the much larger Viper Moon, another curvy, comfy favorite of mine which is also designed by Fabrizio Silvestrelli. I have only one problem with the Novis: My old fingers are not strong enough to open this knife using its front flipper as intended, but I personally have little need for instant blade deployment. Even so I can open it quickly with a rolling motion on a hard surface and then a flick, or just by pulling the blade out plus a flick. The Novis comes with a small sheath and lanyard which are irrelevant to me.
Viper Knives Novis Front Flipper Knife 3" M390 Wharncliffe Blade, Tan Canvas Micarta Handles, Leather Pouch
I have had this knife a couple months now and I rate it very highly. The build quality is excellent and after a week or two of fidgeting the front flipping is smooth as butter (was a little tight at first). I very satisfying fidget :) The materials are great, construction is solid. The blade for its size is a bit beefier than I expected, it is a stout little knife and can handle some real work if needed. Ergonomics are almost perfect for me (small to medium sized hands) and very, very comfortable. Part of the reason for the comfort is no pocket clip...which is also the one thing I miss. It comes with a nice leather slip...but I sure do wish that slip had a clip on it...that would have made it perfect. I am not a slip joint/traditional guy, I do no like fishing around in my pocket when I need my knife. I like a clip. Materials are excellent, blade may be a touch thicker that what some may want if you are a thin/slicey guy. That said, I like the blade, excellent flat grind, polish and edge. A definite step above your everyday $50-100 Chinese knives (and not a knock on Chinese knives...most of my knives, and my favorites). More work went into the polishing, crowning and little details on this one. If I had one tiny nit-pick it is that the screws are not completely flush with the handles, they should have been counter-sunk just a hair more (though you do not feel them when gripping, just the tiniest of bumps when you run a finger over the scales).
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Close-up of hand holding knife, opening or unsheathing knife, and then closing or sheathing knife.
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