Vosteed Thunderbird - updated review with pics

Yo Mama

Yo Mama

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Sep 25, 2011
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I'm really conflicted on this purchase. I love the look of the design and all of the methods of deployment. The only holdup is the version I'm looking at which is the green carbon fiber with m390 blade comes in at a price that I could get some American made offerings instead. Basically it's the most I've ever paid for a Chinese made knife.

Vosteed gave me a raccoon and I have fallen in love with it. I believe if it's a representation of the quality this company has, I'm going to be happy. I have taken a huge liking to it that I did not expect where the fit and finish and materials all combined very nicely.

So anyone with a Thunderbird what are your thoughts?
 
Well, I cannot help, but when I looked at the site to see what you were referring to I found models with their top liner lock. Like the Hedgehog and Raccoon. Now I have to resist buying one.

If anyone knows, did the patent on the comp lock expire? Sal Glesser Sal Glesser
 
I don't have this model but I do have two each of the Nightshade and the Mink. I gave someone another Nightshade as a birthday present. So from a sample size of five, having taken three of them apart for inspection, and using/carrying two of them; all have been excellent.
 
I have a Valkyrie in 154CM and was plaisantly surprised by the quality of their HT and the great usability of the seax blade.
I have been waiting to fall in love with another of their models but it didn't happened yet.
 
Vosteed's doing good work. I have the Raccoon top liner lock and it's excellent. Also have the original button lock version, the Nightshade in Elmax, and the original Bellamy in 20cv. If quality is the concern, I would pull the trigger. I think they're at about the same level as Kizer, QSP, Kubey, and some of the other Chinese brands that play in the same territory.
 
Okay, I ended up getting one and actually pretty glad I did. My overall impression is it is very well made is absolutely fidgety, and the quality of materials looks spot on. I have had this cloud carbon fiber before but in blue, I just love the look. In person. It's stunning. The milling that was done left no sharp edges or voids at all.

FmoMZbk.jpeg


The glow spacer, which is activated by light only really stays bright for a few minutes and then stays a dull level for another 10 minutes or so. It's still a cool part of why I got it though.

iZERXWS.jpeg


Overall action compares to getting close to Protech but not quite. It's far better by leaps and bounds vs the CJRB Pyrite I just got also. I'm not sure I'm set up to use a front flipper comfortably, but I am starting to learn. I likely will not get any other front flippers for a while though. The way that I'm using it it kind of gets in the way.

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Trying to show off the grind in this picture. I love how they transition from a hollow to a stronger tip.

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I absolutely spine whacked light to medium as soon as I got it to make sure the lock was solid due to the historical issues with previous versions, and I had nothing to indicate any concerns! Pretty solid, their Trek lock is different than the button locks I'm used to.

So overall I'm keeping it and I'm very glad I got it. The only criticism I have is price on this specific version. It puts it in line with some essential domestic US offerings. If I didn't already have these options, in my collection I would have skipped this purchase specifically until down the road. It's no fault to this knife however.
 
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