The Cold Steel Voyager in AUS10 steel is THE BEST knife you can buy for the money...

[SALTY]

I like larger sized folders, say 3.5- 4+/- inches and like them even more when they are <$50.

I like Cold Steel designs and value; they perform very well for their given price points and, at least under the old ownership - excellent warranty/CS.

As for the Large Voyager, it check many boxes for me and when the AUS 8 models went on close out, I picked up a few. I have far too many folders at various price points but the <$50 knives shine in what I refer to as the IDCAI, (I Don't Care About It) category. I can use and abuse them with near abandon without the concern of as much financial cost as a more expensive folder. Sure, my AD-10, Adamas and Sebenza can survive tasks beyond reasonable folding knife use, but I prefer beating my <$50 Voyager, Rat 1, Buck 110 and the like rather than the more expensive knives - to include the so-called #1 Hard Use Knives in the world which I own a bunch of as well.

I said all of that to say this: the Cold Steel Voyager is my go-to use/abuse folder and, considering the cost, replacement cost and overall value, it's my favorite in that market space. I don't know if it's the "best" but it's my favorite for the touch points that cause me to like a value folder. The clips could be different/better IMHO.

As for AUS8 versus AUS10 versus other steels, I haven't even begun to wear my first AUS8 Voyager out yet; haven't dipped into my spares yet and may bot live long enough to get through the back-up to where I will need to acquire a replacement Large Voyager. In short, it's my best for my criteria, my uses and my views on value.

 

[Lasador]

Twitter censored you for saying that the Cold Steel Voyager in AUS-10 is the best knife you can buy for the money?

Something like that...

 

[Chronovore]

Chronovore - fair points... but kershaw's d2 so far, seems decent, but I'd love to see what the actual v% is in the last year or 2

I would put aus10 just a notch below vg10... the cobalt in vg10 make it superior imho, (and @Larrin's testing seems to agree)

I think even chinese d2 would hold an edge better than aus10a, but it depends on if they get the full 1% v

http://www.zknives.com/knives/steels/steelgraph.php?nm=d2,aus10a,vg10

That's the big point here. D2 should hold a better edge than a lot of these other steels. At least from Chinese production knives, it doesn't. It always falls short of where it should be. The question is always "by how much". For instance, I've had well over ten knives in Chinese D2 from different companies such as Bestech and Civivi. The best edge retention I've gotten is probably from the Petrified Fish 818. So was that best for Chinese D2 better than the average for 14C28N or VG-10?

Maybe a little. Yeah, that's not an inspiring answer. It's certainly not enough to make up for the lack of corrosion resistance. Honestly, I've had better results with Civivi's 9Cr18Mov. I may dig into some AUS-10 next month. If nothing else, it will help to beat back the combined blues of winter and pandemic isolation.

Now while I haven't tried Kershaw's D2, I don't expect it to do any better than those other companies. The big irony for me is that 14C28N was initially developed for Kershaw. It was exclusive to Kershaw for a while. Now, we are seeing Chinese companies using 14C28N in knives priced to compete with Kershaw's 8Cr13Mov and Kershaw moving to Chinese D2 in more expensive knives. I really wish Kershaw could find a way to use Sandvik steels in their Chinese-made knives.

 

[dirc]

yeah, I love my 14c28n.... I have a ruike jager which uses it - it's my goto fixed blade

the only knives I abuse more are my mora - which is old 12c27 or 1090 for carbon (it's not 1095... I think they use c90)
http://zknives.com/knives/steels/UNI/c90.shtml

this one says it's italian based, but I think sandvik or bohler makes one with the same specs for mora

 

[olderfolder]

I like larger sized folders, say 3.5- 4+/- inches and like them even more when they are <$50.

I like Cold Steel designs and value; they perform very well for their given price points and, at least under the old ownership - excellent warranty/CS.

As for the Large Voyager, it check many boxes for me and when the AUS 8 models went on close out, I picked up a few. I have far too many folders at various price points but the <$50 knives shine in what I refer to as the IDCAI, (I Don't Care About It) category. I can use and abuse them with near abandon without the concern of as much financial cost as a more expensive folder. Sure, my AD-10, Adamas and Sebenza can survive tasks beyond reasonable folding knife use, but I prefer beating my <$50 Voyager, Rat 1, Buck 110 and the like rather than the more expensive knives - to include the so-called #1 Hard Use Knives in the world which I own a bunch of as well.

I said all of that to say this: the Cold Steel Voyager is my go-to use/abuse folder and, considering the cost, replacement cost and overall value, it's my favorite in that market space. I don't know if it's the "best" but it's my favorite for the touch points that cause me to like a value folder. The clips could be different/better IMHO.

As for AUS8 versus AUS10 versus other steels, I haven't even begun to wear my first AUS8 Voyager out yet; haven't dipped into my spares yet and may bot live long enough to get through the back-up to where I will need to acquire a replacement Large Voyager. In short, it's my best for my criteria, my uses and my views on value.

I like larger sized folders, say 3.5- 4+/- inches and like them even more when they are <$50.

I like Cold Steel designs and value; they perform very well for their given price points and, at least under the old ownership - excellent warranty/CS.

As for the Large Voyager, it check many boxes for me and when the AUS 8 models went on close out, I picked up a few. I have far too many folders at various price points but the <$50 knives shine in what I refer to as the IDCAI, (I Don't Care About It) category. I can use and abuse them with near abandon without the concern of as much financial cost as a more expensive folder. Sure, my AD-10, Adamas and Sebenza can survive tasks beyond reasonable folding knife use, but I prefer beating my <$50 Voyager, Rat 1, Buck 110 and the like rather than the more expensive knives - to include the so-called #1 Hard Use Knives in the world which I own a bunch of as well.

I said all of that to say this: the Cold Steel Voyager is my go-to use/abuse folder and, considering the cost, replacement cost and overall value, it's my favorite in that market space. I don't know if it's the "best" but it's my favorite for the touch points that cause me to like a value folder. The clips could be different/better IMHO.

As for AUS8 versus AUS10 versus other steels, I haven't even begun to wear my first AUS8 Voyager out yet; haven't dipped into my spares yet and may bot live long enough to get through the back-up to where I will need to acquire a replacement Large Voyager. In short, it's my best for my criteria, my uses and my views on value.

I was thinking just now that the Voyager has to be one of the best things going. I have several of the big Cold Steel folders. The thing about the Voyager is that it does what they will do and it is much lighter. This really stands out for me. The funny handle is for a sabre grip. Use your first two fingers only for a lunge type thing. For extra reach. great value.

 

[desmobob]

After buying my first "good" knife in the late '80s with a blade of the then "super steel" ATS34, I eventually became a blade steel snob over the coming years. Cold Steel has quickly led me away from that path. I still value and buy "super steel" blades from various manufacturers, but I have also learned not to shun the inexpensive stuff. My Cold Steel Voyagers were influential in that regard. I enjoy the Cold Steel blades in 4116, AUS8, AUS10, etc. and with the affordability factored in, they were a steal.

 

[Zulus]

New Voyager in 10A is probably very good
But my old Voyager in VG-1 is better :^D

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

lmao

back to the title & op
imho, it's not the best knife you can buy for the money... it's decent, but a simple rat in d2 gives more bang for dollar...
as does a bunch of others...
14c28n steel in a ruike hussar 3.5" blade with g10, and it's only $35

I got that one, also bunch of Rats, custom and regular. IMO none of those beats the Voyager. I’m biased of course and not 100% serious but the fact is that l absolutely love the model as long as it’s in tanto shape…
My “old-one” is L, AUS8 if I remember correctly, combo edge, factory chisel grind. Absolutely love it.
Few years later l bought same knife in CTS… steel, just so l won’t use my other Voyager. Very useful for work, it was with me every day, construction work, almost a year-solid performer.
l have another one that l was hunting for a long time - old school, almost mint condition Gunsite, l will never sell this and my old Voyager… l actually never sell any knife l own, I’d rather give it away than sell it…
The Hussar is really very good knife for the money but the blade is too thick for my taste and I’m not crazy about the steel, it doesn’t hold well edge for what I’m doing usually with such knives. Good knife for sure, but not Voyager good IMO.
‘Also have bunch of Rats in different steels. One of the best for the money, edc folders ever made.
‘I used those extensively for work and just for everyday stuff, no hard use. They are great for outdoors, this was their original design. But they are no tanto. I must have tanto, it’s me but it is what it is in my case, I found the tanto geometry, whether classic Japanese style or Americanized, to be the more useful geometry for what I do and I’m sticking with this
So either way, the Voyager is a great knife. This is also very nice thread and makes interesting reading, I’m glad someone brought it up so I can get to it.
Cheers !

 

[olderfolder]

Ditto on the Voyager. I have felt that the tanto would be great for penetrating Japanese armor but found the tip on the Recon Tanto to be limited compared to a clip. Really, one of the best tips for a folder is a tanto with a chisel grind. You can do all kinds of stuff with a chisel point like scraping or mortising (sounds like I know what I am doing...)! Any I will be rethinking the Voyager Tanto.

 

[Zulus]

Rethink please.
I got Large Tanto Voyager half serrated VG-1 for some 25 years :^D
You got a lot of time ahead to rethink ...

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

Going trough the thread came across a Tube video, very excited guy mentioned that the clip point is 4" in length which is incorrect.
I had the clip point and got rid of it ( it ain't tanto... )
Didn't remember the exact measurements but the Clip point in the L version of the Voyager is probably about 3.75" but not 4"
simply because the tanto point is exactly 4" measured from the handle and the clip point is shorter. For that mater also,
the total cutting edge length of the tanto blade is much longer than the clip point.

Just saying...

 

[DocJD]

Ultimate king of the Cold Steel Voyagers :

 

[Zulus]

Going trough the thread came across a Tube video, very excited guy mentioned that the clip point is 4" in length which is incorrect.
I had the clip point and got rid of it ( it ain't tanto... )
Didn't remember the exact measurements but the Clip point in the L version of the Voyager is probably about 3.75" but not 4"
simply because the tanto point is exactly 4" measured from the handle and the clip point is shorter. For that mater also,
the total cutting edge length of the tanto blade is much longer than the clip point.

Just saying...

Only top one Voyager is a real Voyager :^)
That way Voyagers was designed and made, then crash come,
one after another ...
Changed VG-1 to AUS-8 !
Stupid plastic clip, silly handle taken from water bucket
That's the way how you kill hen laying golden eggs ...

 

[scottyj]

I had one. Brand new out of the box from an authorized dealer it had side to side play with an off center blade. Further inspection revealed no loctite and a finger tight pivot bolt. I applied loctite, and snugged the bolt down. Upon doing that the blade was so off center the tip would contact the opposite side. After months of trying to fix this issue with no success the knife was ultimately given away. After all that I will say the ergo's on that knife were excellent for my hand, and it did come razor sharp.

 

[Zulus]

I had one. Brand new out of the box from an authorized dealer it had side to side play with an off center blade. Further inspection revealed no loctite and a finger tight pivot bolt. I applied loctite, and snugged the bolt down. Upon doing that the blade was so off center the tip would contact the opposite side. After months of trying to fix this issue with no success the knife was ultimately given away. After all that I will say the ergo's on that knife were excellent for my hand, and it did come razor sharp.

GSM CS is a GSM CS
Thay's All Folks,
game over.

 

[scottyj]

GSM CS is a GSM CS
Thay's All Folks,
game over.

What?

 

[Oklahoma Outlaw]

Meh.

 

[Zulus]

What?

What ?

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

Only top one Voyager is a real Voyager :^)
That way Voyagers was designed and made, then crash come,
one after another ...
Changed VG-1 to AUS-8 !

Ii don't know, I'll take your word for it...
I don't have much experience with the VG1 steel. This is the one I got on my Gunsite V but understandably I don't use it.
I'm a huge fan of Gunsite and to me this is iconic knife so I won't use it.
I'd like to find a decent plastic clip model of those times, one day this will happen too, I hope.

I'm generally aware of the metal composition of the steels we're talking about but not much in details. I enjoyed reading this particular thread because of the
large amount of information I learned, about this favorite knife. My experience is mostly with the AUS8, CTS-BD1 steel and the S35VN (edited, I thought it is S90V...).
I "moved" to higher hardness steel primarily because of my work, my criteria for "better" steel is if I don't have to sharpen it very often, so...

I find the AUS8 on my combo edge V to be hardened probably on the higher end of the steel limit because I see some micro-chipping when using it, never rolling.
This is normal I think, considering the sharper angle of the chisel grind but the steel feels harder than other AUS8 steel I usually sharpen.

I bought the one with the CTS-BD1 steel because it is supposedly a upgrade to AUS8, but after using it so much I don't know what to think to be honest with you...
It is a good steel, hold decent edge but I needed something harder and that's why I moved to the S35VN of the GoldenEye, that I extensively and very hard used for over a year,
as you can probably see from the posted pic. BTW, they did this steel very well, I'm very happy with it.

Mentioning changes, yes, I like the old school design very much, but... I mostly use my knifes for work. With this said, I like to use a knife, designed as a weapon, but suitable for work...
IMO, I find my AUS8 ( I call it this way because I'm not familiar with the exact name of the model) with much better ergos for being "weapon" than the old school Gunsite V model.
I like the finger choil and the bent at the pommel, gives you solid purchase for stabbing and drawing from material. The old school V is great for gradually pushing the knife in material,
but for stabbing I think the newer model is superior as handle ergos...
Talking about changes - if you don't put them site by site one will hardly notice the difference, but CS also changed the blade geometry of the CTS... model.
The hollow grind part is tapered to the tip of the blade and there is less material from it to the spine of the blade. You'll see some other changes, generally speaking I like the AUS8 geometry but
I don't see much difference when I'm using the knives.

So is the Voyager "THE BEST" knife ? I'd say, probably "one of the best" knives for the money. I like CS knives, they are easy to customize, not terribly expensive, some how available.
My ideal model would be the one as my AUS8 knife with S90V steel and a thumb plate as on the Spartan or the Rajah/Taluar.
Generally I like thumbstuds because I like to ride the blade from opening to locking, it gives me feedback without looking at the knife. Naturally,
the Wave opening would be more convenient when you work with the knife, let's not talk about the 'tactical" part of it... So even it will visually mess with the some how, decent looking knife,
a opening system as a disk or plate, will be very welcomed in my case simply because it tis convenient to work with it. I never leave my knives open or around when I work.
I usually draw, open, work, fold and put it back in my pocket, I'm used to it and I can do it 20 times in an hour without bothering me. In this matter,
the Voyager would be great design with some opening system that allow me to wave the knife out of the pocket.
Either way IMO the Voyager is a successful design, combining utilitarian and self defense features and it will be hard to find another knife of this size and such a solid built, in this price category.

 

[Zulus]

Second from the left - that's right one :^D

Of course others are very usable too !