since 1985 · danish design, danish craftsmanship
about Viper-Flex®
one idea. four decades of refinement.
Since 1985 · Danish design, Danish craftsmanship
One hunter · four decades · one idea
Viper-Flex® shooting sticks are built on real hunting experience. Tested in the field. Refined over decades. Built to deliver when the shot has to count.
It started with wood
Between 1985 and 1987, Danish hunter Claus Christiansen built his first wooden shooting sticks in his family's workshop. It did not begin as a product or a business, but as a personal solution to a problem no one else had solved: a two-legged, adjustable rifle rest that was functional in the field, silent to set up, and easy to handle and adjust with one hand.
The first prototype was made for Claus himself, and it did the job. It was used for the next twenty years, after which he refined it. The first four-legged stick joined the hunt in 2008. Over the following seasons, he brought new versions into the woods. Every winter, they were revised. By that time, the wooden prototype had gone through more versions than most products do in their entire commercial lifespan.
From workshop to world stage
In 2010, Claus met fellow hunter René Knutzen at the Karrebækstorp shooting range. René brought along his sixteen-year-old daughter Pernille, who wanted to try rifle shooting. Claus was the instructor that day, stepping in to show her how to find a stable shooting position. Afterwards, René and Claus got to talk and talked for a long time, marking the beginning of a friendship and partnership.
Claus brought the wooden prototype and twenty-five years of experience. René contributed a machine shop in Karlslunde and a sharp remark that his life was too short for wood. Shortly after, a new prototype was ready — it quickly earned the nickname "The Black Death". In 2013, they began selling the shooting sticks under the Viper-Flex® name. First-year revenue amounted to DKK 125,000. By 2017, it had surpassed two million.
2017 · A first for the programme
The validation
By 2017, Viper-Flex had grown from Claus's hobby workshop into a small Danish company with customers across Europe. Beyond hunting circles, however, the brand was still largely unknown. That changed the night Claus and René appeared on season 3 of Løvens Hule — the Danish version of Dragon's Den / Shark Tank.
That evening, something unusual happened in the show's history: every "lion" who showed interest accepted the valuation. Jesper Buch, the founder of Just Eat, put an offer on the table — three times as much as Claus and René had asked for, in exchange for a larger share of the company.
They declined. Instead, they chose a partnership with Ilse Jacobsen — the designer behind the international fashion brand Ilse Jacobsen Hornbæk — and co-investor Birgit Aaby. Together, they accepted the smaller stake that Claus and René had originally come to offer.
It wasn't just about the money. It was about securing "smart money" — and at the same time, it was the moment when decades in the field were recognised by some of the country's sharpest business minds. They hadn't built a trendy product. They had built something that worked, and everyone in the room could feel it. The episode brought Viper-Flex into Danish living rooms — and to hunters who had never heard the name before. Today, Viper-Flex is known by most Danish hunters.
What professional outfitters say
We have seen the success rate increase with 70% and the reduction of wounded animals with 50–60%, since we started using the Viper-Flex® shooting sticks.
Professional outfitter · Wicklow Mountains, Ireland
1985 → 2025
From one prototype to a family
Every model in the current Viper-Flex® range traces back to that first 1985 prototype.
The original hand-built prototype in wood. Made for Claus's own use, and it did the job — silent to deploy, set up with one hand.
After 23 years of refinement, the breakthrough: a four-legged design with two points of support converging at two forks. The configuration that would define every Viper-Flex® from this point on.
The design moves from wood to aluminium — lighter, more durable, and ready for production. Not yet telescopic.
The telescopic adjustment is introduced — one set of sticks now works prone, sitting, kneeling and standing. Same year, Claus partners with René Knutzen and founds Viper-Flex® ApS.
The first commercial Viper-Flex® — anodised aluminium, single-hand operation, four legs converging at two points.
The Journey range adds packability — sticks that disassemble into a suitcase for travelling hunters. The Single Leg accessory turns four legs into five for extra stability.
The Styx range introduces a lever on the side that opens the sticks with the front hand and keeps them deployed, ready for the shot. Available in Elite+, Journey+ and PRO variants.
The PRO arrives in full carbon fibre — lighter than aluminium, just as durable, built for hunters who carry their sticks all day.
The full carbon Styx for travelling. Disassembles into sections under 65 cm — fits inside a standard rifle case alongside the rifle.
The newest member of the family. Built purpose-specific for prone shooting — Minor 3 (tripod, 220 g) and Minor 2 (bipod, 160 g) in carbon fibre.
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
More from the field
Viper-Flex® sticks are in daily use with professional hunters and outfitters across South Africa, Namibia, Ireland and Europe.
We use the Viper-Flex shooting sticks daily on safaris here in South Africa. I personally have seen reductions of any wounding shots by up to 60% since we started using the Viper-Flex four years ago. Thoroughly tested and approved in the bush and mountains of South Africa.
Bjørn Georg Jensen
Professional hunter · Side by Side Safaris, South Africa
During my 40-year career as a professional hunter, this product has revolutionised both my personal hunting experience and that of our clients. I have travelled with my own Viper-Flex sticks on hunts to Abu Dhabi, Burkina Faso, Ukraine, Namibia, Siberia, USA, Mongolia, Australia and New Zealand.
Holger Krogsgaard Jensen
Professional hunter · Jensen Safaris
In Africa sometimes your first shot is the only chance you get to make it count. Viper-Flex sticks are truly game changing, and we have seen a substantial increase in first-shot success from our clients. Do yourself a favour and order a pair.
Dempsey Bayly
Dangerous Game professional hunter · South Africa
Anything with too many moving parts or a complex operation just doesn't last long out in the African bush. This puts the Viper-Flex shooting sticks in a league of its own. In the first season of integrating the Viper-Flex within my hunting kit, I have cut down on 80% less wounded animals.
Marius Burger
Professional hunter · Mopani Hunting Safaris, Namibia
Danish design, Danish craftsmanship
Every Viper-Flex® is repairable — every part can be replaced. The service promise from the start hasn't changed: it doesn't end at the point of sale. Hunters who bought their first Viper-Flex® ten years ago are still using it today, maintained and updated by the same team that built it.
From one wooden prototype in 1985 to the Viper-Flex® Minor in 2025, the principle behind every model is the same: two points of support, one hand, and a steady rest when the shot counts. The next generation is already on the bench. It will have to earn the Viper-Flex® name.
See the current range
A full family of production models, six Single Leg accessories, and a service promise that will still stand behind the shooting sticks you buy today a decade from now.