Description
This is the Viper Knives Sowbelly, has Stag handles and Titanium liners. The blade steel is M390 and finish is Satin.
*Our opinion: The pull is a 7. The Viper effort on this run as compared to their entire catalog is 9. Action (walk) is 5 on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being gator snap. Spring Pressure is 2 lbs.
Maker : Viper Knives
Handles : Stag
Factory ID : VPCK0712ST
Pattern : Sowbelly
Condition : New/Mint
Blade Steel : M390
Steel Hardness : 59-60HRC
Liners : Titanium
Bolsters : Titanium
Blade Type : Clip
# Blades : 1
# Backsprings : 1
Action (1-5) : 5
Spring Pressure : 2 lbs
*Pull (1-10) : 7
Closed Length : 4 inches
Longest Blade : 2 15/16 inches
Longest Sharp : 2 5/8 inches
Overall Length : 7 inches
Weight : 2.83 ounces
Half Stops : Yes
Factory Box : Yes
Blade Finish : Satin
Country : Italy
*Factory Effort : 9
5 out of 5 Modern Nostalgia
Ronald Rzepkowski (verified owner) –
It is so wonderful to get this knife. Finally, a beautiful knife with all the comfort and utility of the one Grandpa carried, but with the materials and performance I have come to demand. In my mind this is the ultimate gentleman’s knife. I don’t see this one leaving my pocket except to use and be admired.
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5 out of 5 A Flawless Execution of an Exceptional Pattern
Padruig (verified owner) –
This knife has been available for most of the year and I’ve taken my sweet time acquiring one. Fortunately for me, despite my procrastination, there is still some availability and I was able to scoop one up in my preferred covers. I took receipt of the knife the other day and am so smitten with it that I figured I would write a bit about it.
I am a big fan of the Sowbelly pattern – despite it not being well represented in my collection. In terms of ergonomic form and function, it is hard to think of a better pattern – the frame melts into your hand, it feels great in a variety of grips, and it can house a number of very useful blades without any trouble.
This example from Viper is exceptional. As soon as I withdrew it from its packaging, it melded into my hand like it was custom made for it – it is hard to describe how terrific it feels. Due to the Stag covers adding a bit of girth to the overall width, it only adds to the great experience.
Compared to my other Sowbelly examples (a couple of Case knives and a Queen-made Moore Maker), it is larger overall – being longer at 4″ closed and comparable to my 3-spring Moore Maker in terms of thickness (though that latter comparison might be skewed by the Stag thickness). I have always liked the form of the Case Sowbelly’s clip blade – I think the Viper compares admirably in that regard, though it is certainly larger.
One of the benefits of a Sowbelly pattern is that most, if not all, makers can achieve sunken (or near sunken) joints. This is a feature on my Case Sowbellys and it is present on this Viper as well – it adds to the smooth, ergonomic feel of this exceptional pattern.
Like with my Viper Swaybacks, the bolsters and liners are integral, being machined out of single pieces of titanium. This gives the knife an overall slicker appearance as there are fewer lines breaking up the view. The backspring has a polished look and it contrasts very nicely with the matte finish of the titanium. All of the Italian collaborations that have come my way, the fit and finish is exceptional – nothing catches or gouges, all edges and corners are smooth and/or rounded, and transitions are smooth and precise.
One feature that I have overlooked in the past is the reliefs that are milled into the bolster/liners. These accommodate the washers that are used at the pivot while keeping everything efficient and tidy with regards to space. I think it speaks to the machining skill and an excellent attention to detail.
I have become a big fan of Stag and it becomes my number one choice in most cases if it is available on any given run. I like color, depth, and texture (dark and gnarly) on my Stag and Mike usually gives me some pretty good options. Though I don’t feel like a Stag lottery was won with the example that I got, I like it (it feels great, looks great, and all), it isn’t at all ugly and has plenty of color and texture. That said, a lot of polishing compound was trapped in the grooves and cavities and though I was able to clean a lot of it out, there are still some stubborn spots…
For those of you who like a good stout pull on a knife, this one will not disappoint. I’d rate it a bit heavier than the Swayback and it walks & talks with authority. The closing snap is characteristic of Mike’s other Italian exclusives and I imagine it is due to the stop pin that is a feature of all of these knives.
I have to say, the blade on this Sowbelly is a thing of beauty. It is executed so wonderfully with a swoon worthy swedge and despite being rather robust, it is an efficient cutter. I don’t have a micrometer handy but it looks to me to have a little more meat behind the edge than the Swayback does but I like that in a bigger, harder working knife – just so long as it still cuts effectively. It attacked a cucumber and tomato for my sandwich the other day and it got the job done just fine. The factory edge shaves hair and slices tomatoes with ease (not necessarily in that order :D).
One of my nitpicks regarding the Swayback is the small lanyard hole – I found it to be unnecessary, especially since it isn’t being reinforced through the cover material. The lanyard hole on this Sowbelly is larger, through the endcap, and far more useful should one want to use a lanyard or fob.
I have zero complaints or critiques with regards to this knife. It is a flawless execution of a superb pattern and I think Mike and Viper should be immensely proud of it. I am really looking forward to carrying this with a lot of regularity. Keep up the great work, Mike! I can’t wait to see what else you have waiting in the pipeline.
Sláinte!
(I wrote this review up elsewhere and had accompanying pictures to drive home certain points. This has been condensed a bit for viewing here, hopefully it is coherent.)
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5 out of 5 Well Done CK!
Bubba (verified owner) –
First off I have never received a knife so well packaged. Sturdy box completely sealed in plastic and knife and its box wrapped in bubble wrap. All in all an “ indoor record for me.” For a sowbelly, this is a perfect size for the pocket. It has nice stag that matches nicely on both sides. Like others have said this is a very attractive clip blade. Also I have already cut myself coon fingering it! Very sharp factory edge. Fit and finish is everything you would expect from a product that CK would design and put there name on. Buy it and see what I mean. You will love it!
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5 out of 5 Viper stag sowbelly
Greasepiggy (verified owner) –
I’m very pleased with this knife. Feels just right in my hand. I can see many years of companionship ahead of us!
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5 out of 5 Great Grip with NO Gripes...
Robert (verified owner) –
This version has a wider swell in handle plus the texture of the stag gives me a very solid grip which is great. The outstanding fit and finish of Viper is now a given. The materials are state of the art. Treat yourself while you are still alive and get this knife.
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5 out of 5 Top Notch!??
Steelman (verified owner) –
First off – excellent service as always from Mike. Fast shipping; well packaged.
I own the Viper stag swayback and based on my positive experiences with that knife I ordered the stag sowbelly. I like this model even more. I have large hands and the larger, stouter sowbelly fits my hand better. Beautiful clip blade and excellent, firm action. I still can’t believe this knife is only $140. It punches way above that.
Love the CK leather slip as well but it works best with a lanyard.
Overall I’m thrilled with the Viper stag sowbelly and the service from CK.
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5 out of 5 Beautiful knife
tdemayo13 (verified owner) –
Great in hand feel and action is superb . Beautiful stag, walk and talk great.
CK delivery – super fast
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5 out of 5 Gerat knife!
red62 (verified owner) –
Fit & finish, walk & talk are perfect! Stag is well matched on both sides and is beautiful. I have a Viper swayback jack in stag as well and they are both amazing knives. Couldn’t recommend them any more highly.
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