Cold Steel Voyager XL & X2... opinions?

allyourblood

allyourblood

Joined
Sep 3, 2003
Messages
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i've recently acquired a 710, an 806D2, and a Calypso Jr., so i'm pretty well set in the quality, mid-priced "gotta-get-one" production folder arena, but i've yet to try one of Cold Steel's folding hype-machines. i've got a Pendleton Hunter, and it's quite nice, but not at all what i'm looking for in a FB, so it sits unused. i've been eyeing the Voyager XL and X2 for some time, and i think my curiosity has gotten the better of me, so........

i'm planning on picking one of these up, maybe for a short while, maybe a long while, depending on how it performs. none of my local retailers carry these, so i'm not able to handle one before i buy.

a search on BFC reveals that out of all of CS' folders, the Voyager series seems to get pretty decent (if not high) marks in its price range. it is often mentioned in the same breath as the Vaquero series. presumably, this is due in part to the size and handle shapes, and their self-defense applications.

right off the bat, i'm not interested straight-up bashing, so i'd rather not sift thru 10+ posts of "CS sux - don't buy them!" i'm hoping those of you who have handled and used these two (XL & X2) can shed some light on them for me.

obviously, they're huge: how do they ride in the pocket? jeans, slacks, sweats? did/do you carry in front or rear pocket? are they unwieldy? i see tons of handle sticking out in all the pictures i've seen of it in-hand.

at that length, are they really flexible at the pivot? how realiable is the lock? and perhaps the question i've most wondered about, but never heard addressed: can either of these be closed one-handed? i'm hoping i can do some sort of drop: depress the lock and let the blade fall. is there a half-stop so i can get away with this?

for those of you who own one, how much trust do you put in it? would you count on it? please feel free to add anything i've overlooked. i'm happy to hear anything you want to tell me about the Voyager series.

thanks!

abe m.
 
G'day Abe,
I've had a smallish ( 3" tanto ) CS Voyager in my collection for about 7 or 8 years. Its the knife I go to when I need to do a job that requires abuse, as it would not bother me if I broke it or damaged it. Gota give this little bugger credit where its due, it is still in good condition and awaits more punishment. Its good to have a beater that you wouldn't shed a tear for if you lost it or broke it, they tend to get alot of use.
 
thanks, Stockman, that's encouraging. i just bought the XL from a fella online, so i'll be sure to update with my findings soon.

i can't believe no one else owns this knife... TELL ME MORE!

abe m.
 
I have a Voyager X2. It is large! The handle is thick Zytel that fills my hand up surprisingly well. There isn't really much of a guard, but the grooves on top and texture on the sides of the handle give a secure grip so this doesn't seem like an issue to me.

I like to hold the handle of this knife, thrust it downward, and then stop my hand suddenly. This will pop the blade to the open and locked position. (This is really fun to do.) :D

Someone said sometime that this is the shotgun of knives because the lock is pretty loud when it locks the blade open. It's an intimidating sound like pumping a shotgun I guess.

The blade is pretty thin near the edge so I've had no trouble making it really sharp. The only bad part is the tip is quite thin and has little point strength. The tip got bent one time so I carefully hammered it back straight and it didnt' break.

This knife is pretty flat and is really comfortable in my front pocket, whether it's clipped on or just in there.

I like mine a lot. The only down side for me is the thin point. Don't try to pry with it!
 
excellent advice, HighTen. i would never pry with any of my knives, barring any life-threatening/saving situation.

thanks for trying to cover all of my questions, that was just the kind of response i was looking for. i like that you found a fun way to open the knife, but can it be closed in a quick (read: one-handed) way as well?

if the XL's any good, i might have to pick up the X2 as well.. you can never get TOO big, right??

abe m.
 
I have had an XL Voyager CP PE for years and years. Used to get carried a ton but now not all that often. Put it this way I have had a couple of Camillus Maxx knives and have traded them or sold them off. I have kept the CS XL Voyager clip point. Fits my hand much better and I can get the darn thing what people like to call screaming sharp. It will easily slice through an old leather biker jacket I have duct taped and stuffed for such occasions as training my rudimentary knife arts. After doing this kind of thing I realize why I have a CCW. Lock up is still rock solid with just a the tiniest bit of give in the up position. I found when I tap the blade like doing a liner lock test it goes away and it fine. Get one you will not regret it no matter what anyone says. keepem sharp
 
actually, i used to have a Maxx, and i sold it. lame. i want another, but since i've had the fun of carrying one already, and i know what to expect, i'm not in that big of a hurry. it wasn't my EDC, more of a OIAWC (once-in-a-while-carry). it took up some real estate in my pants pocket, which was mostly why i didn't tote it everywhere. wondering how the XL will fair here, but you two sound pretty confident that it's not a burden.

abe m.
 
I have carried my XL now for 1 year and I have literaly abused the thing. I drive a cement mixer, and about a month ago I dropped it into the drum while cutting a 50 LB. calcium bag to add to the 10 yards onthe truck(40,000 lbs of concrete) While pouring the floor the flooring dude pointed out that my knife was not part of the floor that was required and handed it back. I hosed the thing off and all it needed that night was a oil bath and sharpening.

Now I am sure others will say that their knives will due the ssame but I am sold on the durability of it, and the price. Now the other drivers all carry Voyagers.
 
I carried a 6-inch Voyager for a while, mostly for walks in the bush. It was a good knife in most respects -- easy to open and close and comfortable to hold. But one day while whacking some thick salmonberries out of the way, the blade got tweaked and a large chunk broke out of the middle.

The blade is long and gives you lots of leverage, but it is so thin that it doesn't have much chopping strength. Some consider chopping to be abuse, but I've never had a problem with my other knives.
 
I'd go for a 6" vaquero grande instead. to my knowledge, the voyagers are hollow-ground, which makes them much more prone to chipping than the flat-ground vaquero.
 
yes, ayzianboy, the Vaquero would be better for SD, but i'm mostly interested in toting this thing around to cover most of my EDC tasks. the Vaqueros are fully serrated and not really well suited for shaving-type cuts.

i do find the Vaqs intriguing though, and i may pick one up just to scare the hell outta my friends. ;)

i must say, i'm really pleased with the responses i'm hearing so far. so many times, you hear folks tearing apart CS' stuff, and i think i found one of their folders that manages to maintain a decent base of users.

abe m.
 
I have been pleased with my XL PE clip point Voyager. It takes a great edge thanks to the thin grind, and sharpens up easily. The lock seems secure and the handle is comfortable in my hand. I usually carry mine in the back pocket of my jeans, and it seems to fit nicely. My only complaint is that the clips are extremely tight out of the box. You will likely have to take the clip off and bend it a little to reduce the tension. I don't use my XL a lot, and carry it mainly for defensive purposes. It has performed well in the cutting tests I have put it through. I would recommend it to others.
 
gettin' better and better, here. i'm pretty happy that i bought the XL, now. *sigh*.... now i just have to wait for it to get here.

abe m.
 
I've got a Vaquero Grande, an X2 Voyager, and an XL. I've used the VG like a light machete in the woods for years and it still performs well. I used the X2 Voyager as its replacement for a short time and the edge rippled. Then a chunk broke off. It's now retired on full disability. I never even wiped the plant sap off the blade. :)

The 5" XL is also a plain edge clip point, and I had used it in the kitchen (great place to test knives for handling comfort and slicing ability). After the X2 failed, I went back to using other knives in the kitchen, but for anything less than extreme heavy use, I would trust the XL.

By the way, the X2 uses the exact same handle as the Vaquero Grande, a slightly different handle than the other Voyagers. Both of them have a detente about 1/3 of the way closed, so I release the backlock, let the blade drop, and then push it closed the rest of the way on my leg.
 
I used to have a Large CS Tanto. Handled very well and the total weight is not much. It also rides well in the pocket and lockup is solid. Not having it long enough to sharpen it but it came shaving sharp.

The only reason I sold it was because of size .. 4" blade is too big in formal office environment. If someone describe it as shotgun of knives it makes sense. If you flick it open, the lockback will make a loud 'thuck'. For closing, yes there is a notch at the blade tang to stop it so that you can safely press the lock, let the blade drop and then close it with hand.

Hope that helps.
I have changed since then, but my opinion about quality, etc. remain the same. Some people complained about the pivot pin for the lockbar not strong enough .. but i don't know for sure.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296686&highlight=tanto

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=294691&highlight=tanto

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209981&highlight=tanto
 
The XL Voyager is one of my utility blades. Stays sharp, easy to sharpen with my sharpmaker. Easily one of my low-maintenance, and most reliable pieces.

It's opened mail, sliced through cardboard, push-cut through bound stems, cut small branches, and scared the crap out of sheeple. Really dependable, really reliable.

I have to agree with the "shotgun" sound of the XL. I flicked it open in front of a couple of students of mine, and they jumped back about 5 feet. The sounds really does it.

The VG is a cool design, but not as great for utility purposes.

Can't recommend the XL Voyager enough. It does the job.
 
got my XL today, and i love it. i was pleasantly surprised by the overall fit & finish -- i was expecting much less, here. i instantly hacked apart most of the box the knife came in, and i very much like its performance. the only thing that concerns me is the extremely thin tip. at least i probably won't put it thru much abuse.

anyway, that's all. i want to post up some nice pictures of the XL, in hand and otherwise, since i could not find many quality pics of it before i bought one. thanks to all who posted their opinions of this big-boy.

abe m.
 
Tell us how you like it... I must have one of those monsters :D

I like the five inch clip point better than the X2 ... its just more my style.

thanks
Hydraulicman
 
Abe,

Now that you have an XL, you HAVE TO get an X2...That XL will look small next to it.:D.

I've had at-least a couple each of the XL, X2, and the Vaquero Grande, and if they were more "lefty-friendly", I'd still have 'em, as they are a pretty solid folder (even with those un-lined "nylon/plastic" scales)...And the AUS-8A steel isn't too bad, either.
 
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