The Martialist: The Magazine For Those Who Fight Unfairly

“Stay ‘unreasonable.’  If you
don’t like the solutions [available to you], come up with your
own.” 
Dan Webre

The Martialist does not
constitute legal advice.  It is for ENTERTAINMENT
PURPOSES ONLY.

Copyright © 2003-2004 Phil Elmore, all rights
reserved.

Cold Steel XL Voyager

A Product Review by Phil Elmore

Many who carry folding knives for self-defense
and utility prefer LARGE knives.  Believing that bigger is better and
testing the limits of what their pockets and waistbands will carry, these folks
routinely carry knives that dwarf some fixed blades carried for the same
purpose.  One such knife is Cold
Steel‘s famous and gigantic Vaquero Grande.  Another is this one — the
slightly smaller but no less impressive XL Voyager.

With a broad five inch blade and a handle
somewhere near six inches, this is no “gent’s folder.”  The blade
looks and handles something like a navaja.  It balances at the blade pivot
even though the XL Voyager first “feels” blade-heavy when open.

Like most Cold Steel rocker-bar lockbacks, this
one is very stiff to open (owing to the strength of the knife’s spring). 
My sample has a little up-and-down play when locked open but is solid from side
to side.  The knife was, of course, razor-sharp out of the box — though
many hate the tiny proprietary serrations with which this knife came equipped.

(The solution to keeping these serrations
well-maintained is simple:  purchase a crock
stick designed specifically for them.)

The comparatively
small, graduated  and grooved thumb studs are a matter of personal
preference.  On a knife that opens as hard as the XL Voyager, a little
care is in order to prevent flaying one’s thumb when the reluctant blade finally
snaps open.  Snap it does.  The lock sounds and feels quite
strong.

The heavily textured plastic handle provides a
good grip.  It is quite large and was more than adequate for my hands,
which are larger than average.  The black pocket clip — always welcome to
prevent flashy displays of “look, knife in pocket here!” — is curved
slightly to match the curve of the handle and works well.  It is removable
but not reversible and configured for tip-up carry only.  

There is a lanyard hole in the handle if that
sort of thing is important to you.  There are also thumb
grooves on the spine near the blade end of the handle, but they’re not cut
deeply enough to make much difference in terms of grip.

Closed, the XL Voyager is a large
package thanks to the width of the blade.  I did not find it difficult to
carry in my pocket or inside my waistband, but smaller individuals or people who
wear their clothing relatively tight may find it uncomfortable.

Relatively inexpensive, reasonably stout, and big
enough for most tasks — mundane or otherwise — the XL Voyager is one tool that
might be worth purchasing.  Check your local laws regarding blade length.

Carry responsibly and walk
safely.