REVIEW – After testing a few Vosteed knives, I’ve become a big fan. I really like the design, quality, and affordability of their knives, but I have always wondered how they choose their knife names because they don’t seem to follow any rhyme or reason. When I saw the knife above, it reminded me of a stealth jet or a sleek bird. I might have named it the Nighthawk or Raven. Nope, Vosteed named it the Dachshund, and despite the moniker, it is definitely not a weenie. Let’s check it out.
What is it?
The Vosteed Dachshund sports a 3.25” reverse tanto blade in premium M390 steel and a grade 5 titanium handle. It’s available in a grey satin finish or black stonewash. Both feature a solid crossbar lock, a front flipper, thumb studs, smooth ceramic bearings, and a reversible titanium pocket clip.
What’s in the box?
- The Dachshund
- Hard travel case
- Sticker, spare lock springs, cleaning cloth, support card, velcro patch
Hardware specs
Click to expand hardware specs
- Model Number: A1201
- Blade Length: 3.25″ | 82.60 mm
- Overall Length: 7.77″ | 197.40 mm
- Blade Width: 1.02″ | 26.00 mm
- Blade Thickness: 0.118″ | 3.00 mm
- Blade Material: M390
- Blade Grind: Flat
- Blade Style: Modified Reverse Tanto
- Blade Finish: Black Stonewash
- Hardness: HRC60±2
- Handle Length: 4.52″ | 114.80 mm
- Handle Width: 1.04″ | 26.30 mm
- Handle Thickness: 0.47″ | 12.00 mm
- Handle Material: Titanium
- Color: Black
- Weight: 3.42 oz | 97.00 g
- Opener: Front Flipper | Thumbstud
- Lock Type: Crossbar Lock
- Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing
- Pocket Clip: Reversible | Titanium
- Carry Position: Tip-up
- Knife Type: Manual Folding
- Thumbstud Material: Stainless Steel
- Thumbstud Color: Golden
- Button Material: Stainless Steel
- Button Color: Black
- Designer: Yue
- Country of Origin: China
Design and features
The Vosteed Dachshund specification sheet reads like it would be my perfect knife. A 3.25” M390 blade with a 4.52” titanium handle, weighing 3.42 oz is pretty close to perfection for me. Add in the crossbar lock, black coating, plus ceramic bearings, and it just gets better.
The Vosteed Dachshund uses premium M390 stainless steel, which offers a great balance between edge retention and durability. Its modified reverse tanto blade has a lightly curved edge making it great for daily chores. The reverse tanto shape has a robust tip that provides extra strength for piercing-related tasks.
M390 steel and titanium are harder to manufacture, which is why you find them in more premium knives. Black coatings also add additional manufacturing costs and steps; therefore usually have a higher price than the plain versions of knives. Vosteed, however, keeps the price for both the same. The black-coated Dachshund has gold thumb studs and rear spacers, while the grey has matching grey hardware.
The caged ceramic ball bearings on the pivot are buttery smooth and have zero play in them. Another nice detail is the matching titanium pocket clip. I’ve seen some titanium-handled knives that just come with standard steel clips, so adding that shows Vosteed went the extra mile to retain the titanium aesthetic. The ergonomically contoured titanium handle has a dedicated finger groove for your index and middle finger to rest providing a very comfortable and secure grip naturally.
Taking the Vosteed Dachshund apart, the inside of the titanium scales have been slightly cut out to save some weight. I did notice the crossbar lock is not adjustable since there is only one hole for the spring. I found the tension a little on the stiff side, but using it more should loosen it up. The black coating also adds a little friction which makes the handle grip feel very solid and secure even when wet.
Overcoming the initial resistance of the crossbar is a little more than some of their other knives, so you can’t really just flick your wrist to open the Dachshund. Using the front flipper and thumb studs, you have to give it a little more force to open it all the way as well, just because of the shape of the pivot point and the black coating. Again, I think more use will smooth up the action though.
This is the first knife I have tested with just a front flipper. I previously reviewed the Vosteed RSKAOS, which has a titanium handle and M390 steel with just a normal flipper. The new Vosteed Thunderbird has titanium handles but Elmax steel and features a front and traditional flipper as well. Normal index finger flipper activation is so ingrained in my muscle memory that I will probably only use the thumb studs to open the Dachshund since I’m also just as used to that. You have a third option to open the knife by just using the crossbar lock.
What I like
- Quality titanium with M390 steel
- Great tactile feel from the black coating on titanium
What I’d change
- Nothing
Final thoughts
The Vosteed Dachshund has a sleek and almost stealthfighter look. Despite seeing no resemblance to a Dachshund, I really like the knife. When closed the blade mostly rests inside the handle and gives it a clean and streamlined look. The Vosteed Dachshund is a premium knife and, as such, costs a bit more than their other knives at $209. You would be hard-pressed to find another titanium knife with M390 steel though. With a front flipper, thumb studs, ceramic ball bearings, and cross-bar lock, the Dachshund is not only fully ambidextrous and intuitive to use, but it also provides great fidgetablity and tons of fun for a great price.
Price: $229.00
Where to buy: Vosteed website
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Vosteed.
