- Joined
- Sep 3, 2003
- Messages
- 2,432
i wrote this in reply to some questions in the general discussion forum, but i was pleased with the results, so here is a cut and paste of that reponse. this is the Cold Steel Voyager XL, in plain edge, clip point config:
some of my thoughts, since i've had it for a few days now: it's big. i've owned a CUDA Maxx 5.5 in the past, and it didn't seem as large (even though it's bigger) as the XL. i think it may have something to do with the XL's handle: because it's so slim, the blade ends up looking that much bigger.
i like the finish. i'm not to fond of bead-blasted so it's nice to have a shiny blade of this size. the shape is very useful. tons of belly, cuts thru an entire orange or apple in one pull. the grinds are pretty darn even -- perhaps a little higher on the clip side. heck, it's ground more even than my Maxx was. lockup at this point is rock-solid; no blade in any direction, even after some cajoling. the blade is also perfectly centered in the handle, which isn't always the case with FRN/Zytel.
the clip is nice, if not really, really dinky. no retention problems here, the clip is SUPER-snug. i removed it, bent it out a smidge and refastened it. part of the clip's grippiness can be attributed to the texturing of the zytel handles: the little knobby pyramid pattern scrapes on my jeans-pocket upon entry and exit. this seemed to persist even after i loosened the clip tension. the paint on the clip looked very even and nice, but has developed some wear after only one day in my pocket. however, i was wearing the XL at work under my QLC work-belt, so that may have been rubbing on the outside. once it's clipped on, the handle facing into the pocket is smooth, making it easy to get your keys or change out without snagging on the knife at all.
the handle is very grippy, and very non-slip. i don't suspect i will lose control of this knife, even with wet hands. speaking of grip, i find that i am equally comfortable choking up on the handle with my fingers close to the blade, as well as holding toward the butt of the handle for chopping. the spine of the handle has serrations for your thumb to find in a standard hammer-grip. this "jimping" is not found on the spine of the steel lockback -- bummer.
the lock is solid and sturdy; i have no worries as to it's reliability. it's actually not difficult to disengage the lock one-handed, like my SS Endura: i lay my index finger on the handle just behind the choil of the blade, and depress the lock with my thumb. the blade drops and stops at my finger, and i simply adjust my grip and close the blade into the handle with my index finger. lockbacks can't always be closed one-handed, so this is a big plus for me.
i'm very pleased with the XL. as with a lot of BIG folders, this one won't always be a practical knife to carry. i tend to gravitate towards a 4" folder as a good all-around EDC size. this won't change, but i'll definitely carry the XL now and again.
the XL is so slim and light, it falls deep into the pocket and doesn't give the user much hassle. it's got a very useful blade shape and cuts & chops with the best of 'em. the AUS-8 isn't invincible, but i'm used to this steel and i'm fond of it's ease of sharpening -- never takes much to bring it back to shaving-sharp.
can you tell i like it? i've satisfied my Voyager-lust, but i'm definitely keeping the X2 on my list! knice knife.
abe m.
some of my thoughts, since i've had it for a few days now: it's big. i've owned a CUDA Maxx 5.5 in the past, and it didn't seem as large (even though it's bigger) as the XL. i think it may have something to do with the XL's handle: because it's so slim, the blade ends up looking that much bigger.
i like the finish. i'm not to fond of bead-blasted so it's nice to have a shiny blade of this size. the shape is very useful. tons of belly, cuts thru an entire orange or apple in one pull. the grinds are pretty darn even -- perhaps a little higher on the clip side. heck, it's ground more even than my Maxx was. lockup at this point is rock-solid; no blade in any direction, even after some cajoling. the blade is also perfectly centered in the handle, which isn't always the case with FRN/Zytel.
the clip is nice, if not really, really dinky. no retention problems here, the clip is SUPER-snug. i removed it, bent it out a smidge and refastened it. part of the clip's grippiness can be attributed to the texturing of the zytel handles: the little knobby pyramid pattern scrapes on my jeans-pocket upon entry and exit. this seemed to persist even after i loosened the clip tension. the paint on the clip looked very even and nice, but has developed some wear after only one day in my pocket. however, i was wearing the XL at work under my QLC work-belt, so that may have been rubbing on the outside. once it's clipped on, the handle facing into the pocket is smooth, making it easy to get your keys or change out without snagging on the knife at all.
the handle is very grippy, and very non-slip. i don't suspect i will lose control of this knife, even with wet hands. speaking of grip, i find that i am equally comfortable choking up on the handle with my fingers close to the blade, as well as holding toward the butt of the handle for chopping. the spine of the handle has serrations for your thumb to find in a standard hammer-grip. this "jimping" is not found on the spine of the steel lockback -- bummer.
the lock is solid and sturdy; i have no worries as to it's reliability. it's actually not difficult to disengage the lock one-handed, like my SS Endura: i lay my index finger on the handle just behind the choil of the blade, and depress the lock with my thumb. the blade drops and stops at my finger, and i simply adjust my grip and close the blade into the handle with my index finger. lockbacks can't always be closed one-handed, so this is a big plus for me.
i'm very pleased with the XL. as with a lot of BIG folders, this one won't always be a practical knife to carry. i tend to gravitate towards a 4" folder as a good all-around EDC size. this won't change, but i'll definitely carry the XL now and again.
the XL is so slim and light, it falls deep into the pocket and doesn't give the user much hassle. it's got a very useful blade shape and cuts & chops with the best of 'em. the AUS-8 isn't invincible, but i'm used to this steel and i'm fond of it's ease of sharpening -- never takes much to bring it back to shaving-sharp.
can you tell i like it? i've satisfied my Voyager-lust, but i'm definitely keeping the X2 on my list! knice knife.
abe m.
