quick look: 2011 Cold Steel large Voyager PE

powernoodle

powernoodle

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Being a fan of the old Voyager series, I had to check out the new 2011 flavor. The 2011 large Voyager has the look and feel of the old series, albeit in a different configuration. Gone is the flat, rectangular shape, and in its place is a more ergonomic configuration somewhat reminiscent of the Recon 1. This new version seems to grip your hand much as does the Recon 1, and while their are notable differences (G10 vs. "grivory" being one), the two knives clearly come from the same bloodline.

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2011 CS large Voyager, top. Old version bottom. Note the torx vs. riveted construction. 4" blades on each. The new Voyager sports AUS 8A steel and (apparent) full flat grind construction.

Notable differences, in addition to the grippy scale shape, include the addition of the awesome Tri-ad lock. Its rock solid, and seems indestructible. Gone is the triangular raised pattern imprinted in the "grivory" (read "plastic") scales, and in its place are a series of raised crosses very reminiscent of the German iron cross. Whereas the old Voyager had only one clip position, the 2011 version accommodates lefties - but its "tip up" only. The clip (not shown) is standard CS and very functional, though I had to tweak mine a little because it was so tight. I also sanded down the grivory under the clip, as I do with every CS knife.

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Gone also is the polished blade finish, which is now replaced with a light stonewash. I prefer the old polished look, but thats purely subjective.


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Note the "iron cross" motif of the new Voyager, top. The lettering on the new version, being a superficial stamp rather than ingraving, is not an improvment. The new version also is assembled in Taiwan, as opposed to Japan with the old version.

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Size comparo: top to bottom - 2011 large Voyager, tanto Recon 1 and 2011 linerless Lawman.

The 2011 Voyager was $52.19 shipped from Amazon. Better prices may be found as this one become more available. But at this price, and taking into account its ergonomic design, solid construction and killer Tri-ad lock, I consider it a good value and a solid contender in the heavy duty EDC or work knife category. 3" and 5.5" versions are also in the pipeline, as well as half-serrated versions.
 
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Thx alot man, first time I get to see it like that. The blade shape is a major improvement, as of course is the lock. I'd like to see how the sanded part looks, if you can be bothered.
It looks like a real workhorse of a knife. 4" blade and this is the medium! :D I don't think I'm gonna be able to resist this one. :thumbup:
 
philwar said:
I'd like to see how the sanded part looks
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Its very difficult to see that it has been sanded, even when you are looking for it. The "iron crosses" on the knife, before sanding, have peaks like little mountains. Sanding just takes off those peaks and leaves a flat. You can see the peaks on the very bottom of this picture, vs. the flats under the clip. You never notice unless you are looking for it. One could always sand them away completely, but I don't see the point, because taking off the peaks is enough to save your pocket from shredding.

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Compare that with the sanding on G10, which is a little more apparent:

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powernoodle said:
Its very difficult to see that it has been sanded, even when you are looking for it. The "iron crosses" on the knife, before sanding, have peaks like little mountains. Sanding just takes off those peaks and leaves a flat. You can see the peaks on the very bottom of this picture, vs. the flats under the clip. You never notice unless you are looking for it. One could always sand them away completely, but I don't see the point, because taking off the peaks is enough to save your pocket from shredding.
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I see it but it doesn't look like much of a change, so I'll just take your word for it. ;) It's kinda cool that it doesn't affect the way the knife looks. Thx for the extra pics.
 
I really dig the handle configuration on the new model,as well as the blade shape.With the lock upgrade it should be a keeper.
 
I just got the XL version of the new Voyager. The blade is 5-1/2" long, and this is now the largest Voyager. So they took out the XL (5" blade) and X2 (6" blade) and combined them to make the new XL a 5-1/2" blade. My thoughts are mostly the same as powernoodle's. I don't like the stonewashed finish; I'd prefer a satin finish. I'm glad the knife is a torx construction, as I plan on taking it apart and polishing the entire blade. I'm glad the blade is full flat ground, and mine came razor sharp. Lanyard hole is big enough for non-gutted 550 cord. I remember the older Voyagers were easy to flick open without ever touching the blade, using a wrist flick. Not so with the new ones, even my 5-1/2" one after I lubed it up. The thumb stud can be unscrewed if you want to attach a zip tie for improvised "wave" action. The liners aresn't drilled out, which is something else I plan on doing. Overall, I like the new XL Voyager for $50. I wanted something just a tad larger than my Resilience, and this is it.
 
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I'm going to go against the crowd on this one. I don't like the new Voyager PE , the wider handle and blade don't " flow " like the old Voyager did. I carry an Endura of one type or another since the early 1990's . The Voyager was the closest light weight folder to the Endura. I think that beautiful Tri Ad lock would look great on the older Voyager.
 
Looks like the new one is more curvy and less straight in overall shape (blade + handle). I like the blade shape. The old one's tip is too low & the 'clipped' part of the bowie too short. The new one looks better. Being more curvy doesn't seem to add bulk in closed position, which is a good thing.

The pocket clip is not straight, but curved. How does it go for lefty? Won't the curve go the wrong way?

Does it come with liners? I thought Voyagers are linerless ...

Thanks powernoodle for quick comparison. I had an old 4" voyager tanto, sold it to a friend. Now I missed it :(
(not a fan of tanto, but old Voyager bowie lookes ugly to me)
 
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Nice. Thanks for posting that.
 
Hallelujah! YESS! Finally, a good look of this knife which I've been waiting for. Thanks Powernoodle! Your CS folder posts are becoming a "go to" reference :thumbup:
 
Chris "Anagarika";9964045 said:
The pocket clip is not straight, but curved. How does it go for lefty? Won't the curve go the wrong way?
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They give you a lefty clip too.

lava_lamp said:
P-Noodle, you are singlehandedly making me take Cold Steel more seriously.
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Cool. I ignored Cold Steel for the longest time. The blowguns and death stars and weird meat-slashing test video caused me not to take them seriously. But I came to my senses and tried one, and found that they are fine knives. They are the real deal, especially the G10 flavors (in my view) like the Recon 1.
 
powernoodle said:
Cool. I ignored Cold Steel for the longest time. The blowguns and death stars and weird meat-slashing test video caused me not to take them seriously.
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Hey! I love those blowguns, been wanting to give one of those magnums a try for forever! Seriously!
 
powernoodle said:
They give you a lefty clip too.



Cool. I ignored Cold Steel for the longest time. The blowguns and death stars and weird meat-slashing test video caused me not to take them seriously. But I came to my senses and tried one, and found that they are fine knives. They are the real deal, especially the G10 flavors (in my view) like the Recon 1.
Click to expand...

My Cold Steel war club has a serious inherent fun (and collectibility) factor. Having said that I'm not thrilled with Cold Steel's folders; they seem like good value for the money (and I admit to owning a few) but the new ones don't seem to open easily or smoothly.
 
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