First thing that grabbed my attention out of the box is the blue micarta on this guy. I love the texture of micarta over other materials like G10. Smooth yet grippy is the best way to describe it. When the handle is wet it kind of reminds me of a pair of denim jeans. I found the handle pretty comfortable; size might be a little small for my hand. I get about three and a half fingers on there with my pinky trying to find more purchase. I can choke up some and get all four fingers on the handle but it's tight. The Racoon has an area forward of the index area, it can be used for controlled cuts and some detail work. I'd normally be wary of slipping into the blade but the Racoon has a deep sharpening/finger choil. I don't like the idea of having my digits that close to the blade, but some people like to live on the edge.
I love unique and different locking mechanisms; I feel so much of the knife industry is comprised of liners and frame locks with an axis thrown in for good measure. I love that the Racoon features a button lock, it's not something I get to play with very often. Button locks are really nice and they are used to keep the blade locked in the open and closed position. This button lock is not sloppy like some others I've used. The machining is very tight and helps keep things locked up and prevent you from accidentally disengaging it. When closing the blade, I have to simultaneously let go of the button and flick my wrist a little to get the knife to close. Feels tricky at first but becomes second nature with use.
The blade's size of 3.25 inches is perfect for an EDC blade. For me I feel 3 inches is a tad too small, with big guys coming in at 4 could be a bit much. This blade definitely comes in at that sweet spot. The 14C28N is a good all-around steel for a pocketknife. Its similar to some other budget steels like AUS8 yet has added toughness. I found the steel sharpened really easy and it didn't wear out too quickly with a lot of cutting. The drop point blade combined with the high flat grind make it a great slicer.
The Racoon is a fully ambidextrous knife, it has both dual thumb studs and a reversible pocket clip. The clip is a deep carry with very little of the handle peeking out from your pocket. I love that they went the extra mile and added a spacer for the opposite side that the clips not on. It's the little touches like those that go the extra mile with customers.
Overall, I think the Racoon is a great carry for folks looking for a medium sized blade with decent ergos and a good locking mechanism. It cuts well, it's comfortable and rides nice in the pocket. What's not to like.
