Received my Large CS voyager Vaquero and tanto, got mine for $39 each. The F&F is exceptional, it looks and feels like a $80 knife, definitely feels more expensive than a Recon 1.
VAQUERO:
Blade centered, beautiful stonewash blade, looks like patina on old carbon steel knife, very nice. The stonewash turns darker when your rub your finger oil on it.
Already been using it a lot these two days. Edge held up pretty well despite the thinness, i know it because i have been using it as eating knife and the edge is constantly contacting the plate. Also cutting plastics and some particle board. Still shaving sharp. Sick recurve, even though the point points upward, it can still pierce very well.I knew it because i just took apart my old IKEA bookshelf. Able to pry with it after burying 1/2" of the tips into the Particle board. No problem. On small problem: handle too thick. Disproportionately thick compare to the thin FFG blade. Handle is much thinker than Recon 1, and almost 1/3 thicker than the new Medium G-10 Espada! don't really care, but others might.
TANTO:
First thing i noticed is that, the blade shape is rather Interesting...... In a very good way. It is actually very different from the Recon 1. It's slightly narrower and most importantly, it curves UPWARD! This reminds me of the CS Kobun or the Recon Tanto. The curved tanto blade also resemble the Emerson Roadhouse.Very nice touch. Please refer to the pictures below. This thing really look like a miniature Katana blade.(Not japanese tanto, which is traditionally drop point with Hira Zukuri(FFG)).
The Tanto is definitely heavier than the vaquero because it's not FFG. I actually Prefer the hollow grind With Spine. The balance point of the Tanto voyager is slightly forward at exactly the front finger choil. Also the stonewash is much darker than the vaquero, which is cool.
INNER CONSTRUCTION:
I took apart the vaquero today just to see the inner construction (sorry, no pictures, maybe next time). If someone is interested in it. I found that the backspacer is not made of aluminum like the other models, but it's made of plastic, which i assume is grivory. The backspacer actually has 3 steel tube inserts for the handle screw to screw onto. In another words, the handle screws were not screwed into the grivory backspacer. I can tell you, it is a fact that the 2011 Voyager's back spacer (That holds the spring) is better designed than the Endura 4's. It has none of the problem that the Endura 4's backspacer has. Those who own an Endura 4 and have taken it apart will know what i meant. That backspacer is definitely robust, for something made out of polymers. I think this is why the Voyager is much cheaper than the Recon 1, because it cost more to machine and anodize the aluminum backspacer then to simply mold it out of plastic. I still prefer the aluminum one though.
I definitely like the Tanto version better. But I would still choose Recon 1 Tanto over the voyager if i were only able to have one. But i definitely like the Voyager tanto's curved blade shape more.
Hope you guys enjoy the pictures!
VAQUERO:
Blade centered, beautiful stonewash blade, looks like patina on old carbon steel knife, very nice. The stonewash turns darker when your rub your finger oil on it.
Already been using it a lot these two days. Edge held up pretty well despite the thinness, i know it because i have been using it as eating knife and the edge is constantly contacting the plate. Also cutting plastics and some particle board. Still shaving sharp. Sick recurve, even though the point points upward, it can still pierce very well.I knew it because i just took apart my old IKEA bookshelf. Able to pry with it after burying 1/2" of the tips into the Particle board. No problem. On small problem: handle too thick. Disproportionately thick compare to the thin FFG blade. Handle is much thinker than Recon 1, and almost 1/3 thicker than the new Medium G-10 Espada! don't really care, but others might.
TANTO:
First thing i noticed is that, the blade shape is rather Interesting...... In a very good way. It is actually very different from the Recon 1. It's slightly narrower and most importantly, it curves UPWARD! This reminds me of the CS Kobun or the Recon Tanto. The curved tanto blade also resemble the Emerson Roadhouse.Very nice touch. Please refer to the pictures below. This thing really look like a miniature Katana blade.(Not japanese tanto, which is traditionally drop point with Hira Zukuri(FFG)).
The Tanto is definitely heavier than the vaquero because it's not FFG. I actually Prefer the hollow grind With Spine. The balance point of the Tanto voyager is slightly forward at exactly the front finger choil. Also the stonewash is much darker than the vaquero, which is cool.
INNER CONSTRUCTION:
I took apart the vaquero today just to see the inner construction (sorry, no pictures, maybe next time). If someone is interested in it. I found that the backspacer is not made of aluminum like the other models, but it's made of plastic, which i assume is grivory. The backspacer actually has 3 steel tube inserts for the handle screw to screw onto. In another words, the handle screws were not screwed into the grivory backspacer. I can tell you, it is a fact that the 2011 Voyager's back spacer (That holds the spring) is better designed than the Endura 4's. It has none of the problem that the Endura 4's backspacer has. Those who own an Endura 4 and have taken it apart will know what i meant. That backspacer is definitely robust, for something made out of polymers. I think this is why the Voyager is much cheaper than the Recon 1, because it cost more to machine and anodize the aluminum backspacer then to simply mold it out of plastic. I still prefer the aluminum one though.
I definitely like the Tanto version better. But I would still choose Recon 1 Tanto over the voyager if i were only able to have one. But i definitely like the Voyager tanto's curved blade shape more.
Hope you guys enjoy the pictures!
