Biblical myth, awe-inspiring fascination and majestic beauty: few animals have such magical ambivalence as the snake. Elegant in movement and highly efficient in hunting - venomous snakes in particular have been admired and feared at the same time since time immemorial. On the European continent, the family of vipers (lat. Viperidae) is the most common. Well-known representatives are the adder (Vipera Berus) or the Vipera Novaculae. The latter genus was discovered and adequately researched only towards the end of the 1980s in the epicenter of the Italian knife industry, the small town of Maniago in Friuli, by Giovanni Miniutti, Renato Varnerin and Milvio Rosa Gastaldo.
The morphological characteristics of the Vipera Novaculae (engl. knife-like viper) include a biting blade that hunts down its prey from daily cutting with a toxicity of mostly 57 HRC Rockwell and more, and an elegant handle made of exquisite materials such as titanium, carbon fiber, precious wood or horn. The entire body is characterized by a sleek shape and partly elaborate texture. The habitat of Viper knives often includes trouser pockets, belts or display cases. The venom used is often a neurotoxin that paralyzes reason in the reward center of avid knife collectors and causes a reduction in account balance. Among the well-known subspecies are the variant models Berus, Hug, Turn or Katla.
Viper combines the best of craftsmanship and modern industrial manufacturing processes, so that the knives have always stood for uncompromising quality, innovative designs and unusual combinations of materials. The three founders remain true to their lineage to this day, providing the knives with contemporary mechanisms and high-quality steels without forgetting their roots. This is worth mentioning in that since 1987, with the founding of the metalworking company Technocut SNC, high-quality knives have been sold under the Viper brand. Steel know-how, especially in the field of damascus, coupled with zeitgeist have already earned the manufacturer many awards, so that Technocut is nowadays even considered a sought-after contract manufacturer for other established knife brands, but without appearing by name. The Viper range includes mainly modern pocket knives, fixed knives and, more recently, chef's knives. Already a classic of rather exotic character is the champagne saber "Mathusalem". Renowned designers such as Jesper Voxnaes, Rick Hinderer and Tommaso Rumici have already been won over for several projects, making Viper knives sought-after specimens that fortunately are not on the red list of endangered species.
An antiserum for the mesmerizing knives from Maniago could not be found yet, but who wants to resist such a steel temptation?