I originally posted this on another thread but seems more appropriate on this one. Sorry for any duplication!
I just received my first CS knife (a 5" Voyager 29XTH). I ordered it thru
www.midsouthshootherssupply.com. This company has GREAT prices. It was only $52.00.
I have never owned a CS knife before as they seemed too inexpensive. The Voyager does seem to be a lot of knife for the money. My first impressions are as follows:
a) The knife and lock seem very strong and secure. But not easy to open with one hand! A exceptionally tight spring.
b) The blade is very very very sharp. It is sharpened to a extremely thin razor edge, so most likely will not hold the edge in hard use. Time will tell.
c) The serrations seem to be very fragile and look like they will snap off under hard use. I have heard stories of this happening.
d) The overall finish of the knife is very good.
e) The handle is an odd thing. It seems very strong and stable, yet it feels cheap and very plastic at the same time. Not my favorite, but again, I only paid $50 for the knife!
f) Here is the kicker to me: The blade, when opened is extremely sturdy. Much more sturdy than I would have imagined. There is absolutely no blade wobble at all. My $200 Emerson Commander blade wiggles and wobbles and constantly needs to be adjusted to keep it in place. It seems to me that CS is smart in designing a big knife that consists of fewer "parts". The Commander has the seperate standoffs, liners etc. With more components there is more chance of something working loose. Sometimes simpler is better.
g) I also own a REKAT Sifu. The Sifu is a much nicer, larger knife but costs more than twice as much. However, upon purchasing it, I found the blade rubbed the liner and one of the standoffs was not threaded properly. I had to send it back to REKAT, who helpfully corrected the problems. Again, like the Commander, it has more "components" than the Voyager.
My initial impressions make me want to say that if you are looking for a $50 folder which is a great, impressive, intimidating knife, you will not go wrong with CS Voyager. Will I buy another CS? Yes, if I am in need of another relatively inexepensive user knife that is a really good value.
