Cold Steel's 5" Voyager models ... experience?

J

James Y

Joined
Feb 18, 1999
Messages
6,504
How does this size of knife perform for a carry knife? Is it clumsy in the pocket when clipped?
I have Voyagers in the 3" and 4" blade versions, they are good knives. There seems to be a mixed reaction towards them on the forums...some liking them and some hating them. Overall they are good quality, Seki-made, and the locks are solid.

The one thing I do not like about the Voyagers is the integral Zytel pocket clip. The rest of the knife is so nice, but the clip is so weak and cheap, the only fragile part of the knife. I don't think any other knife manufacturer still makes the integral Zytel clips anymore, except maybe the Spyderco Dragonfly and Michael Walker lightweight. But the Voyager clips are bad because they're on large-sized knives. They'd be just much better if they would replace them with steel clips.

Anyway, any comments on the XL models, their carryability, usefulness for the size, etc., will be appreciated. Clip point or tanto.
Jim


[This message has been edited by James Y (edited 24 November 1999).]
 
James Y,
You are right, Those cheesy integral clips have to go. To be honest with you i like the knife, But that cheap integral clip is really the reason i did not buy one. When i was looking at one at a gun show the clip seemed like it was not going to retain the knife securely in the pants pocket.
Cold Steel does have to lose that integral clip crap and go to a steel clip.

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"ALWAYS WATCH YOUR SIX"


 
I have the 5 inch Gunsite which i have carried in my back pocket. Clip is still there.
 
Cold Steel is currently having a close-out sale on all the voyagers because they have plans for "design changes." I am guessing that the new voyagers will be just like the new vaqueros--same knife with metal pocket clip. But their idea of close-out prices is about equal to what you can find on the internet sites.
 
The Voyager's are an ok knife. Just stay away from the serrations. Mine doesn't open and close as smooth as the Spydercos. Also the clip sucks. I just much prefer my Delica 98 with the new style clip. The price is about the same.
 
OK, when I first got mine, I did have concerns with the clip. However, it has never failed me. Anyone wanna guess why? That's RIGHT! It's 'cuz I can't carry the damn thing! I got it 'cuz I was a foolish kid in search of a big, cool, intimidating blade. I got one. I carried it for a while... when I wore pants that A) didn't fit, and B) had a billion and a half pockets. I really can't carry it anymore. I shudda gotten the Stryker.

Howie
 
I had a Gunsite. i stress Had. It was too big, bulky and too intimidating for what i bought it for. I didnt really like the clip, but it never fell off. It was very sharp, but so are many of the other knives I own. It was only about $60, so it wasnt too expensive. the edge was incredibly thin and the serrations were extremely grabby and stuck a lot. I got a Genesis and have been happy ever since. Its big enough to be bad and useful, but small enough to go anywhere and isnt too noticable. The Voyagers are good, but too big and intimidating for my tastes.
 
I don't like the x-large Voyagers. Every one I've ever handled has had a horrible, stiff, jerky action. The one I have has never loosened up, nor have the ones from anyone else I know. Combine a stiff action with the small rounded thumb stud, and it gets frustrating.

All the zytel-handled 4" and 5" blade folders that I've handled from Cold Steel have this problem.

By contrast, most of the Vaquero Grandes I've handled have a pretty nice action, if you ignore the horrible stop in the middle.
 
I was quite impressed with the plainedged XL clip point blade shape that I had to get one. The edge was very sharp and performed well with its clip point shape and continuous belly. But for a folder it was rather large to carry in the pocket. And yes, the clip was prone to breakage. The "rough" action was not major for me as I preferred to wrist flick it open if I needed it in a pinch. But again, at that large size I preferred to continue to carry one of my fix blades with an IWB sheath for PP (Protective Purposes). Besides their Customer Service is the worst that I' ve ever had the displeasure to personally experience, on a few occasions. But that is another (and old) thread altogether.

L8r,
Nakano

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"To earn a million is easy, a real friend is not."
 
I used to have the XL Voyager Tanto(plain edge of course) and while I agree it was a bit rough and sticky, I liked that particular knife. I have pretty big hands and this knife fit me very well. It also got me out of a possibly "BAD" situation one time.
Overall I say that they are decent knives and I may get another someday. Next time though I think I will get the clip point.

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The bible is not such a book a man would write if he could, or could write if he would.

*Lewis S. Chafer

2 Tim 3:16
 
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