Author Archive | Matt

Fun. Friendly. Stylish. Functional. The Vosteed Corgi V reminds me of the iconic and fun designs that came out of the ’90s. Think Apple iMacs, Volkswagen Beetles, and the like. But don’t be fooled, under that cute exterior there is an absolute hulk of a lock and plenty of practical cutting performance.

Specs

You can check out the full specs at Vosteed.com or see the highlights below:

Blade Length:2.36″ | 60.00 mm

Overall Length:5.85″ | 148.50 mm

Blade Width:0.90″ | 22.80 mm

Blade Thickness:0.118″ | 3.00 mm

Blade Material:14C28N

Blade Grind:Flat

Blade Style:Drop Point

Hardness:HRC 60±1

Handle Length:3.48″ | 88.50 mm

Handle Width:0.99″ | 25.10 mm

Handle Thickness:0.49″ | 12.53 mm

Handle Material:Aluminum

Weight:2.66 oz | 75.50 g

Opener:Front Flipper | Wheeler

Lock Type:Vanchor Lock

Observations from Use

The Vosteed Corgi V is the latest addition to their Corgi line. The original Corgi and Corgi Pup were already stylish designs that were noted for their impressive perfect symmetry in the close position. The Corgi V takes all that and turns it up to 11. It is not only symmetrical but Vosteed has worked some engineering magic to hide all the fasteners on the show side of the knife which simplifies and enhances the impact of that symmetry.

The only feature that stands out against that symmetry is the front flipper tab (the stylistic “ear” of the corgi). On the original Corgi models, there was a tab on both sides. On the new Corgi V, there is only a front flipper. Opposite that front flipper is a clever “Wheeler” mechanism that opens the blade like flicking a lighter. This setup allows for some more fun and gives the user a tactile indicator of the orientation of the knife which is nice on an otherwise perfectly symmetrical design.

This isn’t just pocket jewelry though. Vosteed V-Anchor lock is under the hood. This lock operates like a button lock which makes it easy to live with. It is built into the pivot which makes it interesting to design around and allows for an uncluttered handle. Maybe best of all, it drops a pretty chunky piece of steel into a slot in the tang of the blade to provide lock up making very strong.

I’ll also note that the V-Anchor lock provides some very unique feeling action. It is smooth but with some resistance. The detent feeling is chunky and positive. Front flipping action is great off the tip of the flipper and the wheeler mechanism is very satisfying.

The rounded design of Corgi V isn’t limited to the stylish silhouette of the knife. The scales are also very nicely contoured and chamfered. This knife is very comfortable in hand and I can get all four fingers on the handle in a hammer grip if I choke up.

The blade is a drop… almost a spear… point. The thin stock and almost full-height flat grind make it a great slicer. The tip isn’t that fine but it isn’t thick either. It seems to work well for pretty much anything. The lack of an opening hole or thumb stud makes the blade look almost like a modern Barlow-style knife.

Normally, I try to come up with something constructive to say in any review. I am struggling to come up with something in this case. I am not saying the Corgi V is perfect. I am just saying that, if the design goal was easy-to-carry fun and functional, it is very effective. Anything I can add would be so subjective. For instance, it would be a lot of fun to have some even more bold color schemes for a knife like this or a milled pocket clip to take the style up another notch.

Wrap Up

This knife really is a great example of why Vosteed is a company to watch. The design is truly unique and the engineering to make it happen is very innovative. Then, behind all that design and engineering, there is an honest-to-goodness usable knife that would slide into anyone’s fifth pocket.

As of the time of this writing, the Vosteed Corgi V is sold out at the Vosteed Store on Amazon.com. Some color ways are available at Vosteed.com.

The Vosteed Raccoon burst onto the EDC scene with a button lock and really came into its own with the addition of a crossbar lock option. Now, with Vosteed’s Top Liner Lock, I think they have achieved greatness.

Specs

For full specs, be sure to visit Vosteed.com.

Blade Length:3.25″ | 82.60 mm

Overall Length:7.60″ | 193.10 mm

Blade Width:1.07″ | 27.20 mm

Blade Thickness:0.118″ | 3.00 mm

Blade Material:14C28N

Blade Grind:Flat

Hardness:HRC 59±1

Handle Length:4.36″ | 110.80 mm

Weight:3.00 oz | 85.30 g

Lock Type:Top Liner Lock

Pivot Assembly:Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing

Pocket Clip:Reversible | Stainless Steel

Observations from Use

I have written on these pages before about the Raccoon and about Vosteed’s execution of the Top Liner Lock. I like both a lot. So, I was very excited when Vosteed provided a review sample of this knife.

One of the best things about this new version of the Raccoon is… well, it’s still a Raccoon. The Raccoon has elbowed its way onto my shortlist of easily recommendable EDC knives (and the shortlist of what I actually carry when I not reviewing another knife). It has a sort of Goldilocks combination of style, size, blade shape, ease of carry, performance, and price that stands out. It just does everything well and it does it at a great price.

Vosteed’s Top Liner Lock is similar to the Spyderco Compression Lock where a liner engages the tang of the blade on the spine side. That liner is sandwiched between the tang and a large pin, meaning that to fail, the steel liner would have to break. It’s a very strong lock but that’s not all.

It also provides an excellent detent much like any other liner-based lock. This means that the knife feels crisp and flicks easily. They couple that crisp action with their real innovation for this style of lock – the addition of a button that is linked to the liner. Now you have a lock that has an action that is as crisp as a well-tuned liner lock, as easy to use as a button lock, and as strong as a compression lock. It is one of the best all-around locks on the market in my opinion.

Wrap Up

Vosteed added their best lock to one of their best knives and it has paid off in spades. This is the best version of a knife that was already excellent. It has all the best of attributes of a proven design with an easy-to-use, but still bull-strong lock. This knife is EASY to recommend.

Raccoon Top Liner Lock on Amazon.com

I am big fan of the Vosteed Acorn. It is one of their most affordable but also most ergonomic knives. I also happen to be a big fan of little knives so I have been itching to try the Mini Acorn.

Specs

Blade Length:2.46″ | 62.60 mm

Overall Length:6.01″ | 152.70 mm

Blade Width:1.16″ | 29.50 mm

Blade Thickness:0.118″ | 3.00 mm

Blade Material:14C28N

Handle Length:3.55″ | 90.1 mm

Handle Width:1.20″ | 30.5 mm

Handle Thickness:0.472″ | 12.00 mm

Weight: 2.72 oz | 77.00 g

The above consists of just the most relevant specs. Visit Vosteed.com to see the full specs.

Observations from Use

The Vosteed Acorn Mini is not mini in the same sense that something like the Raccoon Mini is. It is a smaller version of the Acorn but not necessarily a very small knife. It will fit the 5th pocket of most jeans but this design favors hand-filling ergonomics over small size… And ergonomics is something it has in spades.

The handles that Vosteed designed for the Acorn series are contoured, hand-filling, and they offer a variety of ways to grip the knife when coupled with the generous choil. This is a smaller knife that can do full-size work. Using these knives reminds me a lot of knives like the Spyderco Shaman or Manix where the overall size and shape of the handle and choil combo are so perfectly dialed, but the Acorn series costs a lot less.

Like the larger Acorn, the Mini Acorn is a great cutter. Vosteed went with a no-nonsense, all-around blade shape with a tall flat grind and thin edge geometry that slices well. My particular review sample also came with a surprisingly well-polished edge that was very refined from the factory. I am used to Vosteed knives being sharp, but this was a little extra.

The clip is the same shorter clip that Vosteed has been using on other smaller knives, and that is a good thing. In my experience, Vosteed has some of the best-designed clips. They are easy to use, have great retention, and aren’t a snag-hazard like some clips.

Not that looks are everything but I do want to point out that I think the Acorn series knives look great. Vosteed offers several handle treatments with various pops of color incorporated into the design that make these knives look great.

Nothing is perfect and so I should point out that my Mini Acorn came to me just a little bit gritty and with a less crisp detent than I have come to expect. I disassembled and cleaned it a bit. It has greatly improved but still isn’t quite as crisp as most of what I see from Vosteed. Understand that this is a high bar. This knife is still better tuned for front flipping than most others.

Wrap Up

Vosteed’s Acorn series goes hard on value. This new Mini version offers big style, big ergonomics, and big cutting performance at a mini size and price. If you need a sub 2.5″ folder for your specific locality but want something that fills the hand like a full-size knife, this is it.

The price on the Acorn series is already a very competitive value but watch out for sales when Vosteed really rolls out attractive pricing on these.

Check out the Vosteed Mini Acorn at Amazon.com