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
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