- super-practical knife with a fun outfit
Almost all well-established knife brands have their "cash cows"—models that simply sell well. Today, it is time to review one such model: Vosteed's Raccoon, of course.
Incidentally, this is my first review of a knife from this brand. That made it especially exciting, particularly since the playful "Doodle Monster" design really appealed to me.
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| Vosteed Raccoon |
The Raccoon comes in a huge variety of versions—perhaps more than any other model I’ve encountered. This is because there are so many variables. To begin with, the knife is available with different blade shapes, including drop point, clip point, and a modified Sheepsfoot. To complicate matters further, it also comes in various steels, such as Nitro-V, 14C28N, 154CM, and S35VN. That range should cover just about everything.
Furthermore, you can choose between different types of locking mechanisms, as it is available with both a cross-bar lock and a button-operated top liner lock. Then, of course, there are the various handle options; you can select from materials such as Micarta, G10, and titanium. On top of that, there is a wide array of colors and patterns to choose from. It can almost become overwhelming, but fortunately, not every possible combination is available—though there are still over 30 different versions to choose from.
This successful model was designed by an evidently talented man named Yue Dong. Now, let’s take a closer look at the Raccoon to try and figure out why it has become such a hit.
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| The Raccoon in Doodle Monster version |
In short: The Vosteed Raccoon – a chameleon with a solid, practical foundation and an intriguing lock.
Blade
As noted above, the Raccoon is available in various configurations, and this version is the one that looks the "friendliest"—featuring a fairly rounded drop point. In practical terms, such blades always get the job done, even if the tip is less pronounced—and consequently less effective—than that of a clip point.
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| This is what the drop-point version of the Raccoon looks like |
At first glance, the blade looks quite well-proportioned. It measures 82 mm (3.25") in length and 27 mm in height. The blade features a flat grind extending almost to the full height of the blade. The finish is a rather coarse stonewash, and the markings are understated—so subtle, in fact, that they are hard to spot; the logo is found on one side of the ricasso, while the steel type is marked on the opposite side.
The blade stock is 3 mm thick, with a thickness of 0.5 mm behind the edge. This is one of the few areas that could be slightly improved; I would have preferred it to be a bit thinner.
The steel used in this version is 14C28N—a steel well-known to me, and by extension, to you, the readers of this blog. Of course, it can be hardened and heat-treated in various ways; from what I can tell, that process has been executed correctly here. During the test period, the knife’s edge did not develop any nicks or rolling. The blade’s hardness is stated to be in the 58–60 HRC range; I would estimate that this particular example falls somewhere in the middle to the lower end of that spectrum. Simply put, it doesn’t feel exceptionally hard. Edge retention is good, though not the best.
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| The steel used in this version is 14C28N. |
Using the Raccoon is a delight. It is an excellent EDC (Everyday Carry) knife, which, in practical terms, means the blade performs superbly for most tasks you might encounter in daily life. Starting with the most common uses, this includes various types of packaging materials—such as cardboard, paperboard, plastics of differing thicknesses and toughness, nylon straps, and cordage.
Thanks to its excellent geometry, the blade slices through cardboard with ease. The fact that it features a flat grind and is no more than three millimeters thick is key here. Furthermore, a sharp edge goes a long way when it comes to cutting items like string or thinner rope. It is worth noting, however, that the slightly steeper edge angle helps the edge retain its sharpness for longer.
Then, of course, there are times when you end up cutting other things as well. For me, wood is a very common material to work with whenever I’m away from home—not least when I’m at the knife-throwing range. As it happens, the Raccoon handles this quite well, too. That said, it’s not a "bushcraft" knife; the grind isn't quite optimal for that purpose.
I don’t typically use folding knives for food preparation, with two exceptions: when I’m out in the woods, and when I’m conducting reviews. These scenarios provide more "usage time" and a chance to see how the knives perform when cutting materials with different textures. In this regard, the Raccoon performs admirably. The relatively thin blade is an advantage when slicing fruit—like apples or pears—or root vegetables, such as parsnips and carrots. It’s also quite capable of jointing a chicken, though I would have preferred a slightly longer blade. More generally, folding knives excel as substitutes for a paring knife. For instance, if you want to spare the edges of your high-end kitchen knives, you might reach for a little fellow like this to peel a celeriac that might still have some soil clinging to the outside.
Handle
Like many other knives, the Vosteed Raccoon is built on a skeletonized steel frame. Overlaid on this are two handle scales—in this case, made of G10. Along the spine, there is a partial backspacer crafted from aluminum, anodized to match the color of the thumb studs (which are also made of the same material).
The assembly is held together by the pivot screw and a few additional screws, all of which are T8 size. Well done, Vosteed—we appreciate that the screw heads are uniform and on the larger side; this makes them less prone to stripping.
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| Raccoon offers a comfortable handle |
The sides have a rather textured surface, which provides even better grip when your hands are wet or sweaty. But what really stands out here is the pattern. It’s worth taking a closer look to discover all the details—for instance, the brand name has been cleverly integrated into the design. Perhaps not strictly necessary from a practical standpoint, but definitely a fun touch.
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| The back is for the most part open, but a small back spacer in green aluminum can be found there. |
The handle length is 111 mm, which should be considered in relation to a width of 12 mm and a height that varies from just under 20 mm to 25 mm.
The handle is designed with a pronounced recess for the index finger, positioned behind a wide, distinct finger guard. This guard is wide enough to also serve as a "forward choil"—a feature I am generally not particularly fond of, but which works well here. There are also some grooves in this area to provide better traction.
Similar grooves are found on the spine of the blade—in no fewer than two locations! This is a sign of good design: one set is located at the base of the blade for a standard saber grip, while the other is positioned further along the blade. Many brands overlook this, yet it is exactly where the index finger rests during certain types of precision cuts.
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| This handle allows for many different grips. |
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| ...including a couple that are facilitated by "jimpings" far out on the blade |
That said, I have already revealed that this handle works exceptionally well for some of the more specialized grips—such as those involving a guiding index finger placed on the blade, or perhaps a thumb in that same position (a so-called "Filipino" grip, if the forward grip is used).
However, the standard grips work perfectly fine, too. The saber grip can be applied in two ways—further forward or further back—thanks to the shape of the finger guard. A hammer grip is also quite good, though it forces the hand a bit further back, resulting in what is, for me, a "three-and-a-half-finger grip." Naturally, this depends on the size of one's hand.
Pinch grips are also excellent. It is safe to say that this is a good handle—versatile and robust.
Opening and Lock
Thumb studs—yes, that is one, and a visible, method for opening this knife. Naturally, they can be executed with varying degrees of precision. In this case, it is no exaggeration to say that they approach perfection. What do I mean by such grand words?
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| This is what a near-perfect thumb stud looks like |
First of all, their placement is excellent in two distinct ways. They are easy to reach, making the motion completely instinctive for anyone who has used a one-handed opening knife before. Furthermore, their shape is superb. While not extraordinary in terms of design—they follow a simple barrel-style form—that is precisely where their brilliance lies. They simply work. The second reason their placement is so good is that the studs are completely out of the way when the knife is in use; they end up extremely close to the handle once the blade is deployed. In other words, nothing obstructs any part of the cutting edge.
Furthermore, they protrude just enough to be easily accessible, yet not so much that they might snag on things when drawing the knife. They can also be used in three different ways: you can "sneak" the blade out, flick it open with your thumb, or do the same using a finger on the back of the handle. Moreover, they reflect the color of the handle spine and parts of the pattern—a well-thought-out detail.
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| This shows both how close the thumb stud is to the handle when the knife is open, and the second opening method: the locking button. |
Speaking of various opening methods, this knife can also be opened using the lock mechanism—much like knives equipped with a Crossbar or Compression lock. Simply press in the button and let the blade swing freely.
The speed of the opening and closing action, along with the exceptionally smooth actioin, is made possible by tight tolerances and ceramic ball bearings.
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| The lock is not the most common type – a "top liner lock" controlled by a button. |
The locking mechanism that facilitates the entire operation is a relatively new and exciting design. At its core, it is a liner lock—though you might ask, "What’s new about that?" Well, this version is top-mounted and operated via a button.
This was my first knife featuring this type of lock, and the experience has been excellent. It feels like a well-executed button lock in use, yet it is likely somewhat more robust. In any case, it is extremely easy to disengage—after all, it’s just a matter of pressing a button. The button is slightly recessed into the handle scale to prevent accidental disengagement—a necessary feature, as the blade would otherwise swing completely freely and could potentially open while in your pocket. As it stands, it works perfectly.
The blade is held firmly in place without the slightest bit of play or wiggle—yet another detail to add to the list of things this knife gets exactly right.
To Carry
The Raccoon isn’t the lightest knife on the market, but it’s no heavyweight either. Weighing 112 g, measuring just over a decimeter in length, and with a thickness of slightly more than a centimeter, this knife is about as standard as a pocket knife gets. That means it works perfectly.
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| A simple yet functional steel clip |
The knife also lacks any protruding features, as the thumb studs are kept sufficiently low. While the G10 material is somewhat textured, it does not hinder the knife when drawing it or returning it to your pocket. The clip is a "deep-carry" style, yet the knife does not sit extremely deep, so there is no difficulty in reaching it.
The Raccoon is equipped with a simple but effective steel clip, secured by two T6 screws positioned in tandem. The unused mounting side is—thankfully—covered by a steel plate, a touch of luxury.
The clip has good tension; while the clearance underneath might not be the most generous, it works well with most trousers and jeans. The same applies to the ramp—which could perhaps have been a bit larger—but this is always a balancing act: if it’s too small, returning the knife to your pocket becomes difficult; if it’s too large, you can feel it in your hand. That is not an issue here; the clip stays out of the way in most grips and causes no discomfort.
To Conclude
It is always exciting to review knives from brands I haven’t encountered—or at least haven’t used—before. Vosteed was one such brand for me. Testing a best-seller can be just as interesting; in a way, it’s on par with evaluating new releases, as the goal is to see whether I agree with everyone else—and, if so, what exactly makes a particular model a success. Sometimes, a knife’s popularity can simply be the result of effective marketing.
But that is certainly not the case this time around. By now, I have a clear take on the Raccoon..
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| Vosteed Raccoon is simply a very competent EDC knife |
It is immediately apparent that the expertise required to craft a high-quality knife is deeply embedded within the very walls of the factory where Vosteed produces its blades. This is evident in both large and small details. To begin with, the Raccoon simply feels exceptionally well-made—in a way that inspires genuine confidence. This is reflected in aspects such as the knife’s overall construction, the smoothness of its opening and closing actions, the engagement of the lock, and the ease with which it can be deployed and stowed away. Furthermore, the factory edge is excellent, and other hallmarks of quality—such as a perfectly centered blade—are also present.
But this attention to detail goes even further. On this specific model, it is already visible in the pattern on the handle scales. This theme continues with the subtle pops of color—echoed in the backspacer and thumb studs—which maintain the playful spirit characteristic of the "Doodle Monster" series.
Other details—which show that time has been invested even in the small things—include countersunk screws in both the handle scales and the pocket clip attachment. Notably, a small plate is used to cover the hole on the side not being used for the clip—a thoughtful touch, especially considering that this is not, in its standard configuration, a high-end or expensive knife. Another example is the inclusion of two rows of jimping on the blade, designed to accommodate a wider variety of grip positions.
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| Raccoon is a winner, and the Doodle Monster theme is fun! |
Those who can read between the lines will already have grasped where this is heading. I’ll simply say that the Vosteed Raccoon is a damn good, great-value EDC knife. In this particular configuration, it also has a playful quality, making it less intimidating if used in environments where people aren't accustomed to knives. If that’s not your style, it’s also available—as mentioned—with pitch-black blades and a more aggressive clip-point blade. There’s something here for almost everyone!
Regardless, what you have here is a highly effective knife—suitable for nearly any task—with a robust construction that reinforces that impression. What’s that saying about perfection? That it’s the sum of many small details executed well.
The list price for the Raccoon in this configuration is $79 on the website, which translates to around €75 in European retail stores—though, at the time of writing, it could be found for even less at certain outlets.
Specifications:
Length Overall: 193 mm
Length Closed: 111 mm
Weight: 112 g
Bladle Length: 83 mm
Blade Thickness: 3 mm
Blade Steel: Sandvik 14C28N
Handle Material: G10
Lock: Top Liner Lock, button operated
Produced by: Vosteed, made in China
/ J - testing "formenews"
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