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Buck 110 versus CS Voyager?
- Thread starter Confederate
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- Aug 1, 2006
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While they aren't significantly different in weight, the biggest obvious difference is indeed the length. I suppose my wording didn't reflect that in my original post---my bad.
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Being somewhat of a Cold Steel fan, I'm fascinated by peoples' views regarding AUS8. VG-1 is seen as being a tad bit better all around, but that's really moot. My interest, really, is in whether people believe it's a premium steel and at what point their personal proclivities enter into it.
To my way of thinking, of course it is a premium steel simply because most knives using AUS8 pretty much fall into a price range that most would consider upper middle to high. But what to use as a base? I believe the answer has to be 420. If you walk into any average hardware store, the knives you'll normally see displayed on racks is a medium grade 420. You can get a reasonably built heavy duty knife with a stout 420 blade, machine ground and finished. The steel in the blades found in the discount bins is usually 420j2 or worse. From there it goes up to the behind-the-glass display, usually Case, Victorinox and, naturally, Buck knives, and each has a dedicated following. Although Buck's 420HC is still pretty much an unknown to me (I really should get one one of these days), I don't know much about the stainless steel used by Case and Victorinox, but I've never been very impressed by the SAKs, and put their blades into the category of emergency use only. Going to the Leatherman multitools, most blades there also center around 420HC and are generally okay for opening boxes and bags of potato chips.
Then there are the 440A blade knives. Fairly good intermediate stuff. You can get some pretty bad, no name knives with this steel, granted, but when you step up to AUS8 steel, things begin to change. The steel is predominantly used by better known companies and the knives begin to show polish and craftsmanship that line up with what Buck produces. The labels become much more descriptive: "Blade: AUS8 steel (Japan)" and some even list the Rockwell hardness estimates. But the cheaper el crapo knives engage in stuff like: "Blade: Stainless steel" or "surgical stainless" or even (heaven forbid!) "400-series stainless" (the kiss of death!).
Anyway, even though it's a few pegs down from being the best, AUS8 is premium steel based simply on its performance (comes sharp, easy to sharpen), consistency, and the knife companies that use it. In short, if you spend a good $60-$70+ for a good EDC folder that sports AUS8 blades, you're more than likely going to get your money's worth. And though it's a modest cost for most of us, many people wanting a pocket knife simply find this price range a bit too high for what they want.
To my way of thinking, of course it is a premium steel simply because most knives using AUS8 pretty much fall into a price range that most would consider upper middle to high. But what to use as a base? I believe the answer has to be 420. If you walk into any average hardware store, the knives you'll normally see displayed on racks is a medium grade 420. You can get a reasonably built heavy duty knife with a stout 420 blade, machine ground and finished. The steel in the blades found in the discount bins is usually 420j2 or worse. From there it goes up to the behind-the-glass display, usually Case, Victorinox and, naturally, Buck knives, and each has a dedicated following. Although Buck's 420HC is still pretty much an unknown to me (I really should get one one of these days), I don't know much about the stainless steel used by Case and Victorinox, but I've never been very impressed by the SAKs, and put their blades into the category of emergency use only. Going to the Leatherman multitools, most blades there also center around 420HC and are generally okay for opening boxes and bags of potato chips.
Then there are the 440A blade knives. Fairly good intermediate stuff. You can get some pretty bad, no name knives with this steel, granted, but when you step up to AUS8 steel, things begin to change. The steel is predominantly used by better known companies and the knives begin to show polish and craftsmanship that line up with what Buck produces. The labels become much more descriptive: "Blade: AUS8 steel (Japan)" and some even list the Rockwell hardness estimates. But the cheaper el crapo knives engage in stuff like: "Blade: Stainless steel" or "surgical stainless" or even (heaven forbid!) "400-series stainless" (the kiss of death!).
Anyway, even though it's a few pegs down from being the best, AUS8 is premium steel based simply on its performance (comes sharp, easy to sharpen), consistency, and the knife companies that use it. In short, if you spend a good $60-$70+ for a good EDC folder that sports AUS8 blades, you're more than likely going to get your money's worth. And though it's a modest cost for most of us, many people wanting a pocket knife simply find this price range a bit too high for what they want.
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- Oct 5, 2005
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Any pictures of them side-by-side? I have a 110 and have been eyeing a large clip point Voyager because, well, I like clip points. There's no way I'd carry a 110 everyday, but it makes for a great steak knife. 
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The 5-inch extra large (top) also is a great folder.
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Great pics - damn those XL sized ones are HUGE 
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Great pics - damn those XL sized ones are HUGE
If you think the XL (5") is big, you should see the X2---it has a six-inch blade in a 7.25" handle.
A man-sized knife for sure.
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I hear you! What blade length is your Voyager, and what models of the 110 do you have? Are they varying in types or all the same? Although I like the 110s a great deal, I have to say that for EDC, I prefer the light weight of the Zytel handle. Even the CRKT M21-04 that I like so well is a bit too heavy.
Some of you guys should try getting the 5-incher Voyager. It is such an astoundingly good value, plus it's easy to carry. For self defense, you can't beat the serrated version. For all round cutting chores, the plain edge is tops.
As for the 110, I'd like to get the stag grip version.
Another Buck entry that intrigues me is the Bantum. It goes for less than twenty...er...bucks and has 420HC blade steel (made in China). If this model has the same superb heat treat as the home grown 420HC, then the 4-inch model might be a better buy than the 4-inch Voyager, which goes for about $48. Anyone have a Bantum?
The Bantum comes with a 4-inch blade (420HC) and FRN handles.
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- Nov 4, 2006
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I have a Bantam. It is a great knife..
I've had a few CS products in the past, including a medium Voyager with Clip Point. I really didn't have any complaints about it, I carried it for about a year.
That said, I will take the Bantam over the CS. Very solid, well made knife.
And for me anyway, it is a much more comfortable knife.
Granted the Bantam is made overseas as is the CS, but Buck stands behind any of their imported knives just as well as the U.S made products....
I really haven't noticed much difference in edge retention between the two.
Even if I had to touch up the edge a little more often, I will take the Buck anyday.
As far as the 110 goes, I really prefer the 112 for it size. I don't need a big knife for most chores. Some have mentioned that the CS has a stronger lock than the Buck. There are probably millions more 110's floating around that CS Voyagers, and I don't recall ever hearing of anyone having the lock fail when the knife was used as designed. Doesn't mean there can't be failures of either though..
I've had a few CS products in the past, including a medium Voyager with Clip Point. I really didn't have any complaints about it, I carried it for about a year.
That said, I will take the Bantam over the CS. Very solid, well made knife.
And for me anyway, it is a much more comfortable knife.
Granted the Bantam is made overseas as is the CS, but Buck stands behind any of their imported knives just as well as the U.S made products....
I really haven't noticed much difference in edge retention between the two.
Even if I had to touch up the edge a little more often, I will take the Buck anyday.
As far as the 110 goes, I really prefer the 112 for it size. I don't need a big knife for most chores. Some have mentioned that the CS has a stronger lock than the Buck. There are probably millions more 110's floating around that CS Voyagers, and I don't recall ever hearing of anyone having the lock fail when the knife was used as designed. Doesn't mean there can't be failures of either though..
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Buck has now reintroduced an updated version of the BuckLite series. USA made and priced just slightly above the bantams. :thumbup: