The Raccoon has long been a fan favorite in the knife community. Vosteed has steadily evolved this crazy little trash panda with new handle materials, colors, and locking mechanisms. Enter the latest iteration: the Raccoon in Copper Dune. Featuring the patent-pending Top Liner Lock (TLL), this critter just got a serious upgrade. Let’s dive into what makes this version so exciting.
A Fresh Look: Copper Dune and Green Micarta
This Raccoon sports a green micarta handle paired with a stunning Copper Dune blade and matching hardware. In the past, I was a purist—clean blades were my jam. Coated blades always felt temporary, like their aesthetic would fade with wear. But I’ve come around. The copper finish on this one pops beautifully and gives the knife a unique, adventurous vibe. It’s a bold look, and I’m here for it.
The handle design is equally impressive. The micarta feels great in hand, offering just the right balance of grip and comfort. It reminds me of denim—textured yet soft—and handles like a champ. Vosteed nailed the ergonomics: no sharp edges, no hot spots, just a smooth, natural fit. There’s a small choil for choking up, though it’s more of a sharpening choil than a dedicated finger spot. Minimalist jimping on the spine rounds things out for added control without overdoing it.
My one nitpick? The lack of a colored clip spacer on the show side. I swapped in a silver spacer to fill the void, but it does break up the otherwise cohesive color scheme. A small aesthetic trade-off, but worth noting.
The Top Liner Lock – A Game-Changer
The TLL is what sets this Raccoon apart. Think of it as the love child of a compression lock and a button lock, combining the best of both worlds. The lock mechanism is on the top of the handle, much like Spyderco’s compression lock, but it’s actuated via a button. It’s intuitive, fun to use, and keeps your fingers out of the blade’s path—a big win for safety.
What really shines is the way the TLL addresses the bounce issue common with button locks. Button locks often have no friction against the blade as it closes, causing it to slam into the stop pin and bounce back slightly. The TLL uses a detent ball that applies consistent pressure to the blade tang, slowing it down as it closes. The result? A smooth, quiet action with no bounce. It’s satisfying, secure, and feels like a natural evolution of the locking mechanism.
The Blade – Small but Mighty
The Raccoon’s 3.25-inch blade is crafted from Sandvik 14C28N steel, one of my favorite budget-friendly steels. It’s tough, corrosion-resistant, and easy to sharpen—perfect for EDC. The blade’s size hits the sweet spot: big enough to handle a variety of tasks but not so large that it screams “look at me” in public.
The drop point shape is as versatile as ever, excelling at everything from food prep to feather sticks. Whether you’re trimming a steak for the grill or starting a campfire, this blade has you covered.
Final Thoughts
The Vosteed Raccoon has always been a solid choice for EDC, and this Copper Dune variant with the TLL might just be the best version yet. It’s well-rounded, visually striking, and endlessly functional. From the ergonomic micarta handle to the silky-smooth lock mechanism, this knife proves why it’s such a beloved member of the Vosteed lineup.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly blade that’s as playful as it is practical, this cuddly cutlery deserves a home in your pocket. The Raccoon Copper Dune is ready to tackle your daily adventures—or your next intergalactic journey.
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