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Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight
Cons: None
Grown on me
I originally got the Viper Alfa because (1) Magna-Cut, (2) under 3-inch blade, and (3) only had to break two piggy banks instead of five. I wasn't terribly enthused about the rather angular blade shape. I do enjoy a lockback and a good micarta. I figured time would tell. Turns out, time was right. Although the blade shape looks a little weird, and it folds up kind of wide, this is a very comfortable and usable knife. The jimped thumb ramp and arced handle give me a sure grip, the chamfered micarta scales and crowned spine make it comfortable to hold and use, and the blade geometry gets out of my way and puts the sharp part where I want and need it. The unlined micarta scales mean it's not too heavy, but they're thick enough that they're still meaty and do not flex. Blade thickness is just right. Wire clip is great. The elongated thumb hole allows me to easily open the blade with one thumb or with the opposite hand, and there are no thumb studs or crossbar studs to catch my pockets. The back lock spring is stiff enough that I am unlikely to accidentally close the blade, but not so stiff I have trouble closing it. The only surgery this knife needed for me was a little lateral play when open, easily solved by tuning the pivot screw. And: Southpaws rejoice! This thing is completely left-hand friendly. In short, this is a great knife that I enjoy carrying and is more than usable. Even the angular shape has grown on me. Give it time, and, as the ABBA song goes, "you'll get love in return".