Raccoon® - Crossbar Lock knife (3.25" 14C28N Blade & Micarta Handle) - A0506

I was carrying an Opinel #6 in carbon. It's a great featherweight tool. I wanted something that I could open and close with one hand. The Raccoon fits the bill. The blade is finished well, although the final grind on the edge needed a little finessing. OOTB is was shaving sharp. The lock tension is perfect for me and the clip and hardware are all first class. I call this a suburban carry because this blade is not intended for batoning wood or bashing about. It is a really, really, really good blade for every day use, and at this price point, is outstanding. Is it better than a Benchmade freak? Who cares when you can get 5 for the price of one, and exceed your expectations on every single use.

This knife has thrown me off stride. By now I can usually find something to complain about with a new knife. I am coming up short in the complaint department with my Raccoon. The 14C28N blade arrived as sharp as any I have ever had. The cross bar lock is completely solid. The ergonomics are great. I use a knife every day and put this one to use immediately. The cross bar lock put it way ahead of the competition for me. The blade geometry (flat grind from the spine)makes slicing something like an apple effortless with no drag or feeling like you are forcing the blade through . Add to that the "fidget factor" for entertainment and it is a tremendous value. If anyone is thinking about one the should just go ahead and join the "Raccoon Club".

I have always leaned on the side of cheaper knives because I work them pretty hard. After using the smooth action of this thing and feeling the materials and weight, I will never go back. The blade is gorgeous and offers so many useable grip options. 10/10

I have several Boker, Kizer, and Kershaw knives that I rotate between for EDC. My favorite actions are the Kizer, which are very smooth and fast for a non-assisted open. My most commonly carried are a Kizer Begleiter and Mini Begleiter, both with Micarta handles and drop point blades. I am comparing this Raccoon to them.

I really like the taller blade, and resulting larger curve on the belly of the drop point blade of the Raccoon. It came very sharp and it cuts really easy on all points, but because of the larger belly, it has more sweep until you hit the tip. This allows you to maintain a larger variety of angles when using the knife for slicing. It also gives you a better curve and angle to rock the blade when cutting certain items.

The handle is very comfortable, and the color - brown for mine - looks better than you would think. I enjoy the feel of a micarta handle and this one feels very good. My Kizer knives have metal posts in the handle, but this one uses a resin spacer near the clip screws. I think that helps reduce weight a bit, but I am curious about long term wear, though the blade doesn't touch it so it's probably fine. Interestingly, this knife weighs more than my Begleiter, but it feels lighter in the hand. I think this is because of the balance of the blade and handle, and possibly the taller height spreading the weight out more.

The flip-open action on the Kizers is smoother and has a more audible snap sound when using the thumb studs. This Raccoon feels very good and opens easily with one hand, but it doesn't sound as clicky and satisfying. However, the Raccoon has the crossbar lock which adds a different dynamic to opening it. Pull the crossbar lock back with 2 fingers - one on each side - and the blade swings freely open and snaps into place, something none of my other knives do. This action with the crossbar pulled back is very smooth too. The blade easily falls to close as well when the crossbar is pulled back. It's effortless and allows one hand opening and closing.

The clip screws into a slight recess in the handle which makes it slide onto a pocket, strap, anything else really smoothly and easily. There is a metal plug that fits on the other side to fill where the clip mounts, and you can reverse it. It's also a pretty deep carry, though not the deepest I own. It pulls from the pocket really easily as well.

It's not a flashy design and the blade doesn't jump out like the NIghtshade does, or like some other blade types do. However, it's a very well made and functional knife that doesn't weigh much and delivers well as an EDC addition. It feels like a solid quality knife without breaking the bank. I feel it delivers great value. In short, it's exactly what I expected it to be.

I've bought 2 off these knives because of the quality for the money is good. I liked my 1st one so much I bought a second. The second one clearly has better machine work on the micarta. Let me be clear, the first one did impress me enough to buy a second knife of the exact same model. Overall a great knife. This is now my favorite hard user.