Cold Steel Voyager - XL or X2?

Mitchell Knives

Mitchell Knives

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I've narrowed down the choices for my next folder to either a Cold Steel Voyager XL or X2 clip point PE. I was looking for something big, light and made of AUS8; these seem to really fit the bill...especially for the money. The knife will become basic EDC for defense, it will not be used for utility most likely.

I was wondering if anyone here owned both of these folders, and could offer some opinions on which they like best for daily carry. I'm afraid that the X2 might be too big to carry on a daily basis with it's 6" blade. The XL has a 5" blade and a handle that is about an inch smaller. I'm thinking that the XL will be more carry friendly. Which one should I get?

How do these knives hold up over the long run? How's the quality?

Thanks
 
I have a 4" clip voyager and had a 4" Tanto, both fully serrated. Both great workers.

My only suggestion with a 5" or 6" knife is that I hope you have BIG pockets!

The older Zytel clips would loosen up with use, but the new ones have steel clips.

I had my 4" tanto fall out of my pocket when I was working in a garage, I it happened in a 2003 black Corvette that I was driving for a state inspection. That jerk never returned it :mad:. I tryed to track him down, but my Manager wouldent let me "play" on his computer to find his address.
 
I think that I can handle the 5" model ok but, the 6" may be too big. I'm leaning towards the 5" because I'll probably carry it more.

I've been looking at one of the Vanquo Grande folders too...that knife looks like something a serial killer would own!!!
 
I own the x2 voyager and the vaquero grande. You're absolutely right about the vaquero grande: it's the SCARIEST knife I own. Not only has it scared my poor MA classmates...it scares the crap out of me when I open it! LOL!!

I've done some testing on these, particularly the locking mechanism. I whacked both blades HARD with my escrima stick, and neither ever folded. ever.


I've cut quite a bit of cardboard with both suckers, and they hold a mean edge. So they've seen their share of utility work. They're actually good for light/medium-utility chores.

All in all, I'm extremely happy with these 2 knives. These are my favorite CS offerings, and I highly recommend them. If I were you, get the x2 voyager and the vaquero grande together. Skip the xl voyager, because since you're going with a big folder, might as well go all the way.
 
The X2 Voyager I got was in clip point with a plain edge. It is an INTIMIDATING knife. It has already bit me because of the weird secondary detente it has for opening and closing for the lock which I did not expect. Now, whenever I open it I certainly respect it and am a lot more careful. It's so funny because the blade makes me sweat and my hands clammy whenever I handle it. Cold Steel makes knives hair shaving scary sharp! Personally, I went with the X2 because it was unique in it's big size and it was on sale at www.ltspecpro.com If I was to make my choice again, I would get the large one in 4 inch blade. It would have been more mangeable to open. The X2 is kinda' cumbersome to open for it's size based on the location of the thumb stud. You would need to choke up on the handle. I did find that flicking it open with various methods was quite easy, though. All the Voyagers are a bargain for the price. They use the same steel as the fixed blade Tantos, Tai Pan, Military / Hunters in AUS-8A. I would not recommend buying it with serrations since they have a tendency to chip and break easier, from what I have been told. On the plain ones, they already grind it quite thin. If you go with a large, I think it will be more than adequate for EDC self defense. Although an LEO and any court may make a case against why you would carry based on intent if an altercation were to occur. The 4 inch would probably be more justified for utility and work EDC, which could be justified if deployed in a self defense situation. Of course, you would never claim to carry for self defense and it is only a "tool" for everyday chores. Now that I have had a chance to really examine the Voyagers, I think they are a great bargain for the deal. You can't go wrong with them. Good luck in your search.
 
"Bigger is better?" Well not really. Like any other
"tool" it's all in how you use it:D

A 5 or 6 inch blade is cumbersome at best in a
folder. If you ever need it for S.D. then the last
thing you want is to be a fumble bunny getting it
out to use:eek: So get a 4 inch blade as it really
is a better size overall. Lynn Thompson always has
had a distorted view of reality which is why he
thinks John Q. Public needs a folder that's monster
size:rolleyes:
 
I've had a Vaquero Grande for a few years and used it hard in the woods, including chopping thick vines and small branches. The tiny serrations held up fine. When they tended to roll, I steeled them back into line.

I got an X2, hoping to get the same basic knife with a more normal looking blade. But the X2 is deeply hollow ground, not flat ground like the VG. The edge could not take the abuse. First it rippled and then a big chunk broke off.

The two knives have the exact same handle and the blades are basically the same length, size, weight, but that edge geometry will get you every time! :D

I can't tell you what your training has been or should be, but I'm not real big on knives for self-defense. (I carry a cane anyway, so who needs a wienie little knife? :p ) But if you can't do it with a 4" folder, I wonder if the added clumsiness of a 6" will help? The VG and the X2 blades really do swing around in a hurry if you aren't very careful, and self-defense is a situation when you may be too adrenalized to be very careful ... :eek:
 
esav:

you carry a cane? I carry the CS city stick, which has served me quite well. What cane do you carry?
 
I've got a City Stick, too. Slick. Deadly. :D I used to walk with a Cold Steel rattan crooktop a lot, and I got 3 South African "raisinwood" walking sticks, which have a more casual and interesting shape. They have a spiral carved into them just below the carved knob top. Very durable. Great grips. I played swordsman with it on our snowmounds last winter. I also picked up a Cold Steel Walkabout in Purple Heart. Nice, overall, but the knob isn't the greatest grip. Anyway, nothing comes close to ... my recent and best acquisition, from yiterp: a Canemasters. Ash triple grip, great fangs :D This is just about my everyday cane now, but I will go back to a raisinwood in the woods.
 
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