Buck 110 versus CS Voyager?

C

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Given they're two completely different knives, I was wondering if anyone has tried both the Buck 110 and Cold Steel Voyager in various cutting chores. Some people say the 420HC is a better steel; others like the AUS8 or VG-1.

Buck really does a good job on their heat treat, but so does CS generally.

Even so, which can be expected to be a better performer, or are they about the same?
 
I'd say that the Buck 110's 420HC seems to hold an edge longer than the AUS 8 or VG-1 that CS has(depending on the model). I've owned both, several times over too, and the bucks seem to last longer than the voyagers.

The plus that voyagers have is that they are lightweight and are one-hand opening/closing with practice.

The blade shapes are very similar, but the 110 has a pointier tip.

For EDC and normal cutting tasks I'd say the CS Voyager is perfectly fine, but for a more outdoorsy knife (cleaning game, making fuzz sticks, etc...) I'd go with the buck 110.

Hope this helps, J.
 
The Buck 110's 420HC is an inherently better steel than VG-1 or AUS8.

In terms of lock strength, I'd say they are about equal---strong lockbacks at an economical pricepoint.

The Voyager's FRN handle is thinner and lighter, but the Buck features more attractive materials and has a certain classic "heft" to it.

The Buck lacks a pocket clip, but comes with a nice leather belt sheath.

They're entirely different, close in cutting performance---I'd go with the Buck, just because it's American made. But I have several of both. :D
 
I like Buck's 420HC more than I like Cold Steel's AUS-8A (which I do like) and haven't tried their VG-1 yet. I also like the blade of the 110's overall dimensions better, though the width of the Large Voyager can add some mass to make cuts better. The lock on the Voyager seems stronger, but more importantly, the lock channel on the blade is deeper and wider which means that the primary enemies of lockback locks (lint and dirt) are more of a potential hazard for the 110. Before anyone goes nutty, I am not saying a Buck 110's lock will from fouling more, just that the greater potential exists. Also, the Voyager is generally quicker to access as the Buck 110 carries either in a belt sheath or the bottom of one's pocket and doesn't have a thumbstud (I bought a One-Armed Bandit from Smoky Mountain which solves half of that equation).

If your cuts don't half to be completely precise and you don't mind the risk of losing a serrated tip or two, a fully serrated Voyager will keep some form of edge longer than a 110 or plain-edged Voyager. Resharpening outside with a Lansky Cold Steel dogbone or inside with a Spyderco Sharpmaker is easy enough, too.
 
I own both but not the BUCK in 420HC, it is an older model. I also have a Case that is very similar to the buck that is a beater and I have the lg and xlg of the old school CS Voyagers. Hands down better knife imho is the Voyager. Just a sharper knife in every regard. As for edge holding never really compared them for that but always thought the Voyager cut easier, was easier to sharpen, easier to carry and fast to open with better lock strength. Again must my opinion. Your may vary. keepem sharp
 
Just for general cutting, I think the CS Voyager in VG-1 is better than the Buck 110 in 420HC.

I like Buck knives a lot. More than I like CS knives. I think the 110 is sturdier than the Voyager.

But just for cutting, I'd choose the Voyager.


BTW, I don't agree with the statement above that Buck's 420HC is an "inherently better steel" than the VG-1 from Takefu of Japan.
 
Well, another aspect is strength. The Buck has a hefty, solid feel to it, but sometimes "feel" can be deceiving. The Voyager doesn't seem to need a steel insert to be strong, but I actually don't know what it would take to break it. Perhaps I should have compared the Buck 110 with the Cold Steel Recon 1. The strength of the latter would probably be better, but the blade's AUS8, and that's what I mostly was curious about. Most seem to think that Buck's 420HC is better than CS's AUS8A. (I don't want to compare CRKT's AUS8, as I think they've let down their quality standards of late.)

Thanks for the replies!
 
420HC is finer-grained than VG-1, but if you don't mainly push-cut, maybe the Cold Steel steels would be better.
 
I feel the cold steel... would have the stronger lock.. And probably cut about the same..
 
Saying that 420HC is better needs to be precisely qualified in order to make much sense.

The CS does have some obvious pluses. Half the weight for a comparable size, pocketclip, one hand opening. But it does cost more than the Buck. The Buck looks more traditional, wood and metal construction.

I own neither, but I can say I'd most likely carry the CS, given the choice between the two, as the Buck is pretty heavy in the pocket and I'm not into wearing a sheath.
 
The weight of the Buck also seems to be all in the back, which makes the balance a bit awkward. I love the weight of the Cold Steel and I suspect it's stronger than it appears. As a cutter, I also like the Spyderco Native. Both knives have the FRN handles and neither can be disassembled, yet I hear no complaints on either.

No doubt about it, there are bargains all over the place. I do wonder whether there will be another good outlet for the Natives now that Wal*Mart has discontinued them.
 
If the Buck was within $20 dollars of the Voyager, I would pick the Voyager every time. I have not used the VG-1, but the AUS 8 outperformed the 420 by a large margin in my use. The blade profile was also much better, and the Voyager tip is much stronger as well.

The reason to buy the Buck is for the looks. For most any other reason, I think the Voyager takes the cake.
 
I vote Voyager. I have the X2 (yeah yeah I know, but it works well as a pocket machete when I'm out taking pictures) and it's a fantastic knife that's never let me down. That being said, CS does not stand for Customer Service. :D Buck is much better in terms of warranty and repair work.
 
AUS-8 has a bit of vanadium, and I would rate it as better edge-holding than Buck's 420HC. The high thin grind on the Voyagers make them excellent cutters, and the thermoplastic grip is extremely tough, as well as being weather/chemical resistant and very light. Voyagers' lock is probably stronger than the 110. That being said, I love the ergonomics of the 110, and the look of the polished brass and steel. 420HC is tough, corrosion resistant and probably a bit easier to sharpen than AUS-8. I like them equally, but would choose the Voyager over the 110 for sheer utility. But I've got a warm place for the 110, and enjoy using it more.
 
thombrogan said:
Sorry to read you found that out, but that's too cool of a line not to quote.
Click to expand...

Fortunately I've never had to deal with their customer service department, but I've heard only too many horror stories about it, while I've only heard great things about Buck's.

The good thing about CS is that you will rarely ever have a significant problem with their products. The bad thing is that you're pretty well f***ed if you do.
 
I find that 420HC is superior in corrosion resistance and general toughness in regards to AUS-8A. This is because of several experiences I have shared with each steel.

I store a Buck 110 as a spare knife in the glovebox of my GMC. In the winter, the metal surfaces of the knife can condense because of the sudden heating of the truck when it is driven, and the below-freezing temperatures of a northern-Ohio winter when it is not in use. The 420HC has not corroded. I have not purposefully allowed the AUS-8A of my X2 Voyager to corrode, but I have certainly not babied the $50, hard-use knife and the blade has corroded.

The serrated blade of my X2 has chipped and rolled while cutting manila rope; I cannot assume that this was the heat treat or design of the AUS8A, or perhaps the different design of Cold Steel's serrations. Perhaps it is a defective knife, but it can cut cardboard without a problem.

These two experiences have led me to believe that 420HC is superior in AUS8A in corrosion resistance and toughness. It is my believe, though, that AUS8A holds an edge longer. It is also my experience that 420HC is easier to sharpen.

Keep in mind that all my experiences are limited and highly subjective. I don't usually carry nor use a 110 or a Voyager---I'm a Spyderco/BM kind of guy.
 
I've spent some time sharpening some of my knives today and my AUS8A knives have sharpened beautifully. I also sharpened my War Head and a Cold Steel Peacekeeper. In fact, all of them sharpened so much that it just wasn't a problem. I don't get rolling edges when I strop the blade.
 
I really prefer my 110s to any of my voyagers. Not saying that the voyagers are bad knives, but I prefer the look, feel, and edge of my 110 over my VG-1 voyagers. If you give me the old AUS-8 voyager and that evens it out a bit. VG-1 does not take the same quality of edge that AUS-8 or 420 HC does, for me.
 
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