Cold Steel Voyager

Joined
Jul 20, 2004
Messages
535
Well if youve read some of my other posts you'll know I'm looking for a good fast lockblade that can be both a durable work knife (cutting stuff) and a self defnse knife. I was lookin at the CRKT M16 but then found the Cold Steel Voyager. It looks and sounds like a nice kinife for a good price, anyone have any experience with it?
 
I have owned three different voyagers and liked them all very much. 2 of there Nogales style clip pointsand a tanto, I prefer there serrated edges but either way found the blades to be sharp, the handles to be comfortable, the clips to be logical and there locks to be strong. They are pretty stiff openers at first and will probably never be buttery smooth openers but with a little use they are quite fast to deploy. The fact that they come in a variety of blade styles and sizes is nice too.

I like'em
 
I have both and I like the M16 spearpoint model a helluva lot better. I have the straight plain edged voyager, and it just isn't my cup o' tea - not smooth and fast enough, not easy enough to close. Comparatively, the M16's handle is much more ergonomic, and the LAWKS makes the knife feel more reliable than a lockback.
 
Out of the plastic-handled knives: the Voyager series, Spyderco Endura/Delica, Ka-bar Dozier, SOG Autoclip - which are all basically the same concept, the Cold Steels are the lesser of them all. There are better options in my opinion.

You better be looking at the Spydercos if you're thinking along these lines. ;)
 
The cold steel voyagers I've handled all felt a bit sloppy/cheap in the hand. I much prefer spyderco's FRN handled models, endura/delica/etc
 
The Cold Steel Voyager isn't a bad folder...My wife carries a medium plain-edge clip point Voyager in her purse and uses it as her "utility" knife.

HOWEVER, you might want to take a good look at the Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian or the 551 Griptilian, as the "Grips" are a better folder than either the Voyager, or the Spyderco Endura/Delica, IMO...:).
 
I too have one of each in the clip point and the nogales style blade. I like the Clip better for every day carry personally.

That Nogales is one great cutter though just by the design of it. I don't carry either of them much anymore but you can't ask for much more in a real beater go to knife.

One thing I have noticed is that with the Nogales blade you can't open that one up in public without hearing a gasp from someone, usually a woman.

Last time I looked CS had some of the old El Lobos at a discount price because they were being discontinued. Not sure if it is still ongoing or not. They have the Nogales blade only no serrations on the ones they were offering. I got one of those and although it is smaller it is a fine work knife that cuts very well.
 
I have had a 4" clip point Voyager for several years now, and the blade still has very little wobble, even though it is riveted and an all-Zytel handle.

The blades are AUS-8, so for around $50 bucks that's a great value. If you're going to use it for defense, get the X2 - a folder with a 6" blade - dayum!!!
 
I have an XL Voyager that I like a lot. (I bought it simply because I was looking for a large, lightweight folder to use as a beater.)

However, I would strongly suggest a Spyderco Endura or Delica for general EDC or SD purposes. Better steel, better clip, better design, better warranty, better opening method, etc...
 
I have a 4" fully serrated clip point Voyager. It is a great knife, the serrations work very well. It came SCARY sharp out of the box. I think for the same price though the Spyderco Endura/Delica is a better choice.

Will
 
well now i think i'll look at the spydercos and better quality knives.
thanks for the input, CS Special Projects and More Proof doesnt seem to be the best refernce i guess
 
I have two, a tanto and a clip (4") and like both very much. They take and hold a great edge (the tanto with its deep hollow grind is beyond scarey sharp), open as easy as an old Zippo (once broken in), are easy to carry IWB, have a strong lock. I've never had any problem with corrosion despite the fact I carry the tanto when jogging and it gets covered with sweat. Zytel is really tough stuff, practically indestructible. AUS8 has a bit of vanadium which translates into great edge holding INHO. Plus, they're light. In terms of sheer usability, it's hard to go wrong with Voyagers.
 
I had a 4" Tanto Voyager many, many moons ago and liked it except wasn't happy with the AUS-8 edge retention. Doesn't compare with VG-10 Spyderco provides with their Endura/Delica models (depending on the length you want).
 
I think the only reasonable CS folder worth buying is the Zytel Ti-lite, which is amazing for the price. The few others I've handled didn't feel as nice as similar knives by other companies, and in general I think CS makes nice stuff.
 
I have two CS models that fit the bill, a 4" clip pont Voyager and a 4" Vaquero. I really like these knives and have no problem with the AUS-8 steel. I would say that the pocket clip on the Vaquero is slightly better positioned than that of the Voyager. Guess what I'm carrying today, both of those knives. The Voyager is in a nylon sheath though.

Spydercos are really nice for EDC, but I think the CS models are tougher, although a bit slower into action, for defensive carry. I also think that with options of 4" to 6" in blade length lend themselves better to the "intimidation factor" than the smaller Spydie blades. My Spyderco thoughts are based on 4 slightly older models that I have, using steels like G2 and AUS-8. The newest one I have has ATS-55 which is better. The latest models use VG-10 which is even better steel. Spydies are very fast to open. A 1990 Endura model was my first real decent knife.

Regarding the CRKT M16s, I have two. The better one is one of those Law Enforcement models with blue aluminium handle and AUS-8 blade. Very nice knife and the Carson Flipper gives you added speed, but I prefer the Cold Steel and Spyderco models.

I'm thinking of asking my wife to get me an XL Voyager or a Spyderco Native for Christmas. Moral of the story, check 'em out for yourself, see what feels right in the hand and is easy enough to open and go with that. ;)
 
I must sit and play with my knives too much, because I can sure open the Voyager X2 one handed in the blink of an eye. I can have it out of my bra (yes I said bra) and opened one handed before you can say "where'd that come from?" as well. I found that it opens nice and it works great. With practice you can close it one handed easily also. If you ask me its all about handling the knife and playing with it for a while. I love the sound of the Voyager when it flips open and locks into place. The "thwump" is unmistakeable to anyone who is around knives. Add the sound and deployment to the appearance and your opponent is bound to stop and think for a moment.

Don't get me wrong I love my Spidies!!! They are fantastic knives, and they are my EDC knives. I always have at least 2 knives on my person at any time. But when I can, I have a Voyager X2 tucked away on my person as well. (I don't own one yet, I have a very good friend who loans one of his to me when ever I beg) Good thing he has more than one, since he carries one on his person daily as well.

I suggest borrowing one of each knife from a good friend. (I've found that most people don't loan out their knives, but if you have a friend that knows your abilities and your integrity then I'd ask them) Its easier to make choice, by your own preference than by someone elses. I'd hate for you to not like what you buy.
 
FWIW, Cold Steels Voyagers and Spyderco's FRN models are made in the exact same plant, by the exact same people, and for the most part (aside from the obvious), from the exact same materials.

Spyderco's FRN material is the exact same material Cold Steel handles are made from.

So, saying that CS's voyagers are not as well made as Spyderco's FRN's is not true, it's the same knife with a different design &/or possibly different steel.

The same can be said for many SOG's, AG Russell's and other knives on the market.

I like Cold Steel Voyagers and I like a lot of Spyderco's FRN handled knives. AUS8 does not hold an edge for a super long time but it sharpens easily and makes a great beater for the price.

You also have the option of going with a much larger blade with Cold Steel, something I commend them for, too many companies shy away from the big folders.
 
Just as a note, the last time I handled a cold steel voyager was between 5 and 10 years ago at a dealers table, those were my impressions getting ready to buy one, then handling an Endura at the same table and thinking "this is a better knife". Maybe the newer ones are nicer, or the ones I handled at the show were just overused display models or something. Regardless, at that time no cold steel voyager I handled really "felt right" in my hand, which for me is probably my #1 criteria when buying a knife I'm able to handle before purchase
 
Bladechic: You keep a knife in your bra... gotta love that!!! You are a woman after mine own heart! ;)

As for CS Voyagers - I have had the 4" tanto point model for many years - mine is one of the first models, back when they were making it with the clip as part of the handle & had to license it thru Spyderco... Still very little wobble to the blade after all that time (and use) & it has served me very well (for 10 years or so now...).

I have 2 other CS folders too; the Scimitar (non-serated) which I really like & carry alot. And more recently I picked up a Carbon V Trail Guide. The large Trail Guide is a very inexpensive ($21.95) little folder with a 3 1/2" blade or so that is relatively PC and cuts like no tomorrow. ...I highly recomend CS folders.

Spyderco: I only have one "spider knife" and its a fixed blade (Perrin, the utility model) in VG10. While I love that little knife I have never been impressed with the point strength on it, or any other Spyderco knife.

Now I'm not diss' ing Spyderco and I've had no problems with my Perrin utility knife - I have it on me as I type this - but, I just wouldn't put alot of lateral pressure on the tip of the knife without expecting it to break. Some of the folders appear even less durable to me...

Like I said, I'm not taking shots here - its just my opinion. If I am going to spend more than $50 on a folding knife, I want one I can use HARD without worrying too much about it - for me, Cold Steel fits the bill better than any other.

...And it apparently can be concealed in a bra :eek: - what more could you ask for?
 
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