Cold Steel 2011 Voyager Series

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
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I just got my first Cold Steel Voyager XL w/Vaquero blade. I was amazed at the size (BIG!) and the weight (LIGHT). It's definitely not a knife to pull out in front of people unfamiliar or unaccustomed to knives, but it arrived very sharp and there's no doubt but what it's a strong knife, most likely the strongest folder on the market.

Anyway, I was wondering what you guys think of the new knives? I love the strength and their light weight; however, they're completely different knives than the old Voyagers. I was wondering if anyone's purchased the small (medium) Voyager and whether it's a knife that can be easily carried (like a pocket knife).

Also, is the large version of the knife easily carried? What blade styles do you have? And do you have photos?

I'm sorry to see the old Voyagers go in a way. After all, they pounded the old knives into wood beams and then had a 165-lb kid do a hand-over-hand monkey bar test swinging from one knife to the next. The knives held with no problem. The Tri-Ad designs are great, but do you think it's wise for CS to convert all of its knives to the larger/stronger builds? Comparing the earlier versions to the current versions, they're completely different knives.

What do you think?
 
I have a medium, it is light and carries easily, however it is the same thickness as both larger versions. All the versions use the same lock AFAIK. The Large is also light and carries well but is again thick. Both the pocket clips are ridiculously tight, though. The Large is my usual EDC. The locks live up to the hype - really.

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I alternate the medium Voyager clip-point and a small sogzilla at work. The medium is chunkier and heavier than most 3" value blades, but it is indestructable (with normal use) and re-sharpens pretty quickly and easily.
I have a Large Tanto also. For me, it is uncomfortable to EDC due to it's thickness, but it is a beast and built like a Craftsman wrench. The beauty of the voyager is that it is the king of reasonably priced work knives. Anyone that USES knives should try at least one. PS: If not modified, it is also the king of pocket destroyers, lol.:eek:
The large or XL fully serrated, Vaquero seems like it would give the Spyderco Civilian very stiff competition. $45-$55 vs $155, hmmm ;).
 
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hank_rearden said:
replace the scales with g-10 and put an s30v blade on it and i'll buy one (at least.)
Click to expand...

I would want VG-10 and a 4.5 inch blade, G10 scales but with a more functional clip, and make the handle a bit more organic looking, and heck, a Spyder-hole as well...
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Sigh...
 
an s30v blade with g-10 scales will likely raise the price from $45 to $130 ---and that's when you'll have stockouts because people will just keep buying it.
 
I have an XL clip point, 2 large vaquero blades. & a large clip point. The XL is pretty light but I haven't carried it anywhere yet. The heavy blade makes it a finger guillotine if you're not careful when closing it. I really like the new ergos across the board. My favorite folders for some time have been the AFCK & the Police 3 so these new handles were perfect for me. Basically an AFCK handle with a pinkie hook. Here are a few pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffphansen77/
 
I've a couple of CS folders. One is a Hatamoto that I rigged up to take the blade play out of the lock up. CS because the knife is so "old" won't fix it or warranty it at all. Never abused either. Now that it is "fixed" to my satisfaction you can beat on this thing all day long and it won't fail. Matter of fact when the blade had up and down play you could smack it as hard as you cared to and although the lock would slip noticeably it NEVER failed to let go. Which is saying something.

I also have a new Recon in the drop point. I have said this before too, I don't know what CS has done to the heat treat of the AUS8a they use by whoever makes it but it seems to be better than any other AUS8a I've tried before. This dropped point might be the perfect folder. It has a 4" blade which everyone seems to like in a folder, it has the tri-ad lock which is arguably the strongest lock out there besides the ER knives. It is thin, and with a little bit of sanding of the g10 scales to make the pocket withdrawal better it just seems to me to be the ideal knife. Good ergo's, easy to sharpen and seems to stay that way a good long time for the steel used, and it is a useful blade shape. Cheap enough too.

I've many folders to choose from to. But it becomes a point of diminishing returns imho. I mean you can spend much more and I have but can you really buy better for what the knife is used for? You can pay for better materials(mostly cosmetics and super steels) and hand fitting etc. which can mean a better folder esthetically but in all practicality is it better functionally. Then there is the point at least with me that the folder is just to darn nice to scratch up and use! Weird but true. I don't know kind of re-evaluating my knife buying etc. But pretty impressed with the Recon so far. The Hatamoto too and this thing is old but now works as it should. keepem sharp
 
Nice photos and I like Powernoodle's polished blade.

As much as I like the new Voyager (and I really do like it), people tend to like thin knives. I've gone back to carrying my 5-inch Gunsite now and after the new Voyager it feels much better than it did before I began carrying the Voyager. The Tri-Ad locks are strong, but Cold Steel knives have generally always been strong. I have a 4-inch Voyager (old) and, again, now it feels like a completely new knife. I'm not comparing the Voyagers with the CR Sebenzas, but I think one reason people buy Sebenzas is that they're built very well and that they're thin. They feel good in the hand and, by gum, they have to be well fitted to be that size and to have everything in the right place, even after hard use. They may not cut any better than other knives, but their fit and finish are so precise that it thrills and chills Sebenza owners.

I could probably EDC a Voyager Tri-Ad, but I'm leery of moving an entire line of knives to the stronger lock, and CS has moved the Voyagers, the Recons and just about every other folder (even smaller ones) to the new Tri-Ad locks. It makes me wonder if the Tri-Ads can't be built thinner and slimmer. Perhaps they will. I also would like your views as to whether these knives need the metal inserts. As of now the knives appear to be made for hard use and I think they could split wood without any problems. The Tri-Ads also make outstanding LEO and military knives and can undoubtedly pry as well as some fixed blades. Knife companies have long sought for ways of making their folding knives as strong as fixed blades, and while we may or may not be there yet, CRKT developed its Lake and Walker Knife Safety (LAWKS) system and jumped the gun a bit in making some sensational claims. It was a decent development, don't get me wrong, but it fell substantially short of making folders as strong as fixed blades. With the Tri-Ad, though, it's coming close.

But the new Voyager is one big chunk of knife. I can see a business executive carrying a small Voyager (old) in their pockets or clipped to their pockets. But I can't see them carrying a new Voyager. (I was no business executive, but I did wear a suit to work, and I don't think I could have carried a new one very comfortably.)

Thoughts?
 
I have the new large clip point and tanto. I also came across by accident one of the older versions in tanto with 4.5" blade while shopping for the new models. The polished blade is striking and it is without a doubt the sharpest knife I've ever bought. It's more like a straight razor than a big folder. I paid $59 for the this one and $40 each for the new versions.

I love this particular design (Voyager) plus it's so affordable. I agree the CS AUS 8A steel is easy to sharpen and gets a killer edge.
 
The 5.5" 2011 Voyager ended up feeling a little too big for my bare hand (with gloves on it felt ok), so I trimmed the shape so that my pinky finger rested on a slope into the second last finger groove instead of on a corner. The 4" 2011 Voyager fits my bare hands like a glove.

I much prefer the Tri Ad lock to the old Lock Back, the Tri Ad is easier to manipulate (on the Voyager, apparently other models are much stiffer) and eliminates blade play. The new models have very good fit and finish, and are incredibly smooth.
 
Confederate, if looking for a slimmer Triad option, check out the Hold Out series. Totally different blade shape (nice leaf shape) and handle ergos but in a pretty slim package.
 
If your hands are not too big, the medium clip Voyager makes a good EDC though I think the older models are so much easier to carry. I also have a large tanto version still in the box.
 
I've got an XL Voyager that I keep tucked away for emergencies, but I did do a bit of non-scientific testing on my wood splitting stump a week or so ago. The first thing I do with any screw-fastened folder upon arrival is to Loc-Tite everything down and tweak the blade tension to my liking, which I did with the Voyager.

I've seen the lock strength vids, but was particularly interested in whether blade play developed with stress and/or constant flicking. I opened and closed the knife a gajillion times, and stabbed the blade into my splitting stump to test for any blade jiggle several times afterward, rocking the blade with strong leveraged force.

I was impressed to experience no play. In fact, it seems more opening force (from a hard flick) improves the lockup. Overall my initial impressions are that this lock wears in, somewhat like the Axis, though they are different animals.

Whether you prefer one style over the other, I believe the new Voyagers are a vast design improvement over the old (which in my experience tended to develop play with age), and are an incredible bang for the buck at street price.

Time will tell about the long-term wear characteristics and reliability of the lock, but I feel good about it so far!

Just my .02.

Prof.
 
P.S. Longbow, I'm finding myself re-evaluating my purchases also. Just because a folder has been around for a long time, has an enormous following, and is well constructed with a wonderful fit and finish and choice of materials does not mean that it cannot be outdated and/or improved upon. Again, just the opinion of this blade toter.

Prof.
 
I have found mine to be too thick to carry as well. That and The thumb studs snag on my work pants when pulling it out.
 
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