Voyager vs. Recon 1: Which is stronger?

Kels73 · Dec 4, 2013

I've read a number of posts online where people compare these two knives, and it seems to me that the majority of them believe that the Recon 1 is the stronger of the two. The reason usually given is the G-10 handle, which is believed to be sturdier than the Grivory/aluminum handle of the Voyager. Well, I was handling a Recon 1 recently, and I decided to squeeze the handle to gauge its stiffness. It barely compressed at all. But then I did the same to my Voyager, and its handle barely compressed either.

Is there something I'm overlooking? Does anyone know if any actual tests have been done? Is the Recon 1 really stronger?

Cold Steel Knives · Dec 5, 2013

We have a new PROOF video coming out in early 2014, both of the knives in question will be featured. I think you'll enjoy it

Kels73 · Dec 5, 2013

I can't wait. I love the PROOF videos! They get my testosterone pumping!!

Kwon Kwang · Dec 6, 2013

I think they're very close, but the Recon 1 is slightly stronger because of the G-10 handle.

Kels73 · Dec 6, 2013

Kwon Kwang said:
I think they're very close, but the Recon 1 is slightly stronger because of the G-10 handle.

Thanks for your response. However, this is the exact point that I'm curious about. Your answer is the one that is commonly given, but do we know for a fact that the G-10 handle of the Recon 1 is stronger than the Grivory/aluminum handle of the Voyager, because I can't detect a discernible difference when I attempt to compress them? The Voyager and the Recon 1 appear to have handles that are equally strong.

Now casually squeezing the handles is by no means scientific. This is why I ask if anyone knows if any tests have been done. Again, I'm just curious. Am I missing something here? It sounds like the new PROOF video might answer my question, so perhaps I just need to wait and see.

Again, thanks for your response.

Knifenutty · Dec 6, 2013

It's only one's opinion until proof is presented...IMO
I personally have put my gunsite voyageur through a lot of things it may not be recommended to do with no problems.
It feels better in my hand than the bulky size of the recon1..

Kels73 · Dec 7, 2013

Knifenutty said:
It's only one's opinion until proof is presented...IMO
I personally have put my gunsite voyageur through a lot of things it may not be recommended to do with no problems.
It feels better in my hand than the bulky size of the recon1..

Yeah, that's what I'm driving at. Do people say that the G-10 handle of the Recon 1 is stronger because of a test they've seen, or is it just an educated guess? I'm not trying to pick on anyone. I make a lot of educated guesses myself. I'm just curious because I can't see much of a difference.

michael t · Dec 7, 2013

Kels73 said:
I can't wait. I love the PROOF videos! They get my testosterone pumping!!

I go to sleep with one playing Iam not kidding I need some type of noise . Lynn's Proof videos work perfect.

Since all my voyagers are the old style I can't say. which one .

Kels73 · Dec 8, 2013

michael t said:
I go to sleep with one playing Iam not kidding I need some type of noise . Lynn's Proof videos work perfect.

Outstanding!! That would never work for me though. I would end up having dreams about Natchez bowies and cowboy boots filled with beef.

Traxfan32 · Jan 3, 2014

Dude check out what nutnfancy did to his recon on YouTube recon xl

Freman Bloodglaive · Jan 3, 2014

I'd say both of them are stronger than you'd ever need a knife to be.

For myself, I do really like the Voyagers. I think they're the best knives Cold Steel make (although I can't say I've tried every knife Cold Steel make). The XL Vaquero serrated is my near constant companion.

Kels73 · Jan 4, 2014

Freman Bloodglaive said:
I'd say both of them are stronger than you'd ever need a knife to be.

This is the bottom line for me. My XL Voyager clip blade has all the strength I need in a folder, and then some. Yet since I started this thread, I received a Recon 1 w/4" clip blade for Christmas, and I really love it.

I think it's hard to go wrong with either knife; however, I have to admit, I still look forward to the upcoming video mentioned above by CS.

Nutty Knife Nut · Jan 4, 2014

I would guess one of them is not much stronger than the other, they both are almost the same design and both have the Tri Ad lock.

crom · Jan 4, 2014

Look at the materials. A FFG blade vs a deep hollow grind. Nested aluminum liners with Grivory vs thick G10. Ounce for ounce my money is on the Voyager and I have owned both. But I kept the Voyager.