What is your favorite XL?

D

dogrunner

Joined
Dec 26, 2003
Messages
1,524
If you have one.
I've been thinking about getting a 5" or so bladed folder. Recon XL specifically. My current chore knife is a Spyderco Mili, which I love and will still carry, but I wanted to try an even longer but still useful blade. I don't want to go much over 5" because handles get, uh, way out of hand :), and CS makes more folders of this size than anyone. So, do you carry / use an XL?
Which one?
What do you think of it?

Thanks!
 
I have had a Vaquero Grande for over 20 years now, and I have carried it on late night walks and out on hikes when I didn't want to pack a fixed blade. I like the old handle style better than the new, but the S curve on the blade is the same and is very useful. The best thing about the XL folders is that they stick up out of a back pocket or fill up a carpenter pocket so that they are extremely easy to retrieve. That huge handle on the Vaquero also let me grip way towards the end and turn my folder into a machete (god, I hate Devil's Club). I can't really see myself ever doing the EDC with something like that, but if you have an agenda that matches what these knives can do then why not take it with you. Just be prepared for the attention and comments you are gonna get, both positive and negative, if you use a pocket sword around others.
 
All of them are quite tasty, but if its for EDC - and these are big knives - I subjectively prefer a tanto so that the spine is flat. This takes up less room in the pocket. But that point aside, the clip point Recon 1 is probably my favorite. The Talwar is also sick, but not practical on a daily basis unless you are anticipating some zombie decapitations on the schedule.

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Nice pics :)
I was thinking the Recon XL clip point because I wanted the blade length and narrow enough tip for finer work. I have a regular Recon tanto. The Talwar looks cool, but did not seem as versatile a blade shape. The uses would just be general purpose cutting that required a longer blade. I have lots of shorter blades, but have found with the Military that the longer length comes in handy for a lot of chores. I have a lot of fixed blades too, but a 5" fixed blade is a much longer object OAL to carry around, so folder is convenient in that regard, AND it is its own sheath :)
 
I like the large espada g10 about the same size as the xl recon. It has a wave opener and thinner.
 
Recon 1. Takes less room. For the past week a rajah 2. WTH the handle sticks out but you have to carry and use the knives Or give them to someone who will.
 
I'm still a big fan of the XL Voyagers. The Tanto get carried most by me these days.
 
Rajah 2. I honestly don't find folders with 5+ inch blades to be practical, but the Rajah actually does very well as a folding machete/hatchet. The others I just find the extra blade and handle length a bit of an impediment.
 
Talwar. Mainly for looks and materials used to make it, plus blade shape. Serious slicer.
 
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BD1 Voyager. Love it. It is incredibly smooth after broken in and the blade just falls down after disengaging the lock which allows my finger to catch the blade easily via the finger choil. Flips out fast too. Very fine tip which maybe be alittle fragile,but an awesome stabber

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It's hard for me to pick a favorite. I have 10 XL models as well as the XL Espada which should really be called the XXL. The only one I don't have is an the XL clip point because I find that blade design very unattractive. Unfortunately it's beginning to look like CS has abandoned the XL field . The 2016 misnamed Colossus has a wide blade only 4" long and should perhaps be called the' Fatman' instead. What CS should have brought out this year was an XL version of a Recon 1 spearpoint, and not the execrable Broken [mouse] skull.
 
Would be nice to see an XL spearpoint Recon. Seems like an odd gap in the line up. The Colossus name tricked me too - nothing wrong with it if you like it, but I was expecting a longer blade. Got some deciding to do (can't do more than one at this time). Everytime someone posts a pic, I think that looks pretty good, but then I look at the other pics... Not such a bad thing if this is the only concern a person has!:cool:
 
I have a Recon 1 XL Clip Point in CTS-XHP and it's a great SD knife. Its 5 1/4" blade has a FFG/ razor sharp edge and fine point that make it an incredible stabber/slasher and it would also excel at snap-cuts. I wouldn't try and puncture any ammo cans or 55 gal drums (though I can't find any documented tip failure). The handle is my favorite of any folder i've ever handled. It has been discontinued, but there are still a lot of them out there.
I also have a Large G10 Espada CTS-XHP in OD green. It's 5 1/2" blade is also a FFG grind, but has a more obtuse blade grind, a thicker edge, and beefier reinforced point. These features coupled with all the locking pins reinforced with stainless steel liners, make it more suitable for hard use. It also has the thumb plate and waves perfectly. I don't like the handle quite as much as the Recon 1, but it's a close 2nd (not as hand-filling)
Both these knives -as well as the Voyager- can still be had in AUS8 for a steal. The AUS8 version of the Espada is hollow ground.
 
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I have most of the value XLs. My large G-10 Espada is the most impressive, with the Talwar coming in a close second. My personal favorite is the 6" aluminum Ti-Lite. It's a "NJ thing".;)
 
I carry and use a clip point XL Voyager in AUS8. It's very light for its size and abundantly useful from small tasks to larger ones in the kitchen and the yard. I don't carry it at work, but I certainly do at home and outside the home when not working, switching from it to other, smaller, knives depending upon mood. What's striking about using the larger knife and then switching to smaller ones is that, after using the XL, everything else looks “too small to cut anything”. For instance, slicing through apples or a loaf of bread in one whack is a minor but notable difference. Plus, it's also just loads of fun to mess with. Those things said, it's also (and surprisingly) one of the smoothest opening knives I have (probably third on the heels of a Benchmade and a Spyderco). Last, if I'm just sticking one knife in my pocket, it's either the XL voyager or the CTS XHP Talwar.
 
I have most of all listed. My last was a Tanto XL Recon 1. I still like the Voyagers. If I had a favourite, it would be something Tanto. I used to hate Tantos initially, then I went the other way, I prefer them over a clip now.
 
Counter Point XL. Never have a seen a more perfect spear point design. It would make a fine spear too. Has the grip holes that would aid its lashing to a stick/pole. Unheard of, using a folding knife as a spear, but the Tri-Ad could take it.
 
Awesome pics! Thanks. That Spartan blade is very cool. They all are. Talwar especially is speaking to me, but keep coming back to the Recon clip pt... Decisions decisions...
 
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