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Viper Breaks out Sacha Thiel Collab for August

July 6, 2021

Custom maker Sacha Thiel partnered with Viper for a new slipjoint design called the Hug. The Hug’s lineage can be traced from a Thiel custom back to the work of another maker, and will be releasing in many different configurations, all with a premium flavor.

The Hug has that modern traditional look that is very in right now. It’s a look taken directly from Thiel’s Birdy model, a custom slipjoint that is an homage to the Native, a Jared Oeser design. Oeser’s modern slipjoints are very well known, and the Native is one of his most popular knives. The Native has a simple handle, bisected on its bottom by a small finger ridge, and a tweaked wharncliffe blade.

Thiel brought many of the Native’s characteristics forward for his Birdy design and thus this Viper collaboration. The Hug has the same modified wharncliffe blade shape, which sweeps up very gently rather than running in a straight line out to the tip. The blade length is 2.75 inches, which puts the Hug right in the sweet spot for most users’ EDC needs, and the blade steel is M390, so edge retention and corrosion resistance will be more than adequate for such chores. The opening method is the oldest one of all, the venerable crescent nail mark, and while we’ve seen plenty of slipjoints with bearing pivots, Viper and Thiel opted here for phosphor bronze washers instead.

The Hug comes in many different variations

The Hug’s handle is built on full length titanium liners and integral bolsters. As for the scales laid on top, there are a bevy of material options available: Micarta in two different colors, red or ivory G-10, or carbon fiber – in addition to full titanium models with different patterns cut into the handle portion beneath the bolster. The Hug is a clipless slipjoint, but like lots of other Viper slippies it comes with a leather case for pocket carry or storage.

Thiel lives and works in Alsace, France. His custom work ranges from modern traditionals like the Birdy and Hug to outdoors fixed blades and modern folders.

The Hug is slated to be available in August.

Knife in Featured Image: Viper Hug

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