cold steel extra large voyager tanto

• Folding & Pocket Knives

Cold Steel 29AXTS XL Voyager Tanto - 5.5" Serrated Edge AUS-10A Blade - Griv-Ex Handle

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• Description

Cold Steel 29AXTS Extra Large Voyager Tanto - Serrated Edge AUS-10A Blade - Griv-Ex Handle

Over the years Cold Steel's Voyager series have gone through many variations and improvements, but one thing is constant - they are designed to be the true “everyman” knife - affordable and practical in every way. Lightweight, comfortable, super sharp, Voyagers are rugged, dependable and perfect for hunting and camping as well as general utility and daily cutting chores. The Voyagers excel in many survival and rescue applications, and they have proven to be very popular with Police and Military personnel, who appreciate the combination of cutting performance and safety that they offer. Each knife in the extensive Voyager series is precision engineered and held to our most exacting standards. Featuring AUS-10A Blades, and the Tri-Ad locking mechanism - which is quite possibly the most secure, safe and shock resistant lock on the market today! The Voyagers ergonomic Griv-Ex handles (reinforced with heat treated 6061 aluminum liners) provide both great comfort and a secure grip even under extended use in tough conditions. Available in two sizes and with numerous blade and edge configurations, there’s a Voyager for everyone.

• Category End Use: EDC/LE/Self-Defense
• Blade Steel: AUS-10A
• Blade Shape: Tanto Point
• Blade Length: 5.5" (140 mm)
• Length Open: 12.25" (311 mm)
• Length Closed: 6.75" (171 mm)
• Blade Thickness: 0.157" (4 mm)
• Lock Type: Tri-Ad Lock
• Handle Material: Checkered Griv-Ex
• Tip Carry: Tip-Up
• Clip Position: Right Hand/Left Hand
• Weight Knife: 7.7 oz. (218 g)
• Manufacturer Warranty: Limited Lifetime
• Made In: Taiwan

More about AUS-10A steel: Japanese AUS-10A steel could be referred to as the “big brother” of AUS 8A; the latter of which Cold Steel has been using in their products for over three decades. AUS-10A is a high-performance stainless alloy steel boasting all the properties of AUS-8A and then some! It’s an excellent steel for working knives - tough, corrosion-resistant, easy to re-sharpen, and is known for better edge retention than AUS-8A, due to its higher carbon content.

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Cold steel xl voyager tanto serrated.

Posted by [email protected] on Jul 3rd 2021

great knife great price

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Cold Steel 29AXC XL Voyager Clip Point - 5.5" Plain Edge AUS-10A Blade - Griv-Ex Handle

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Cold Steel Voyager XL Tanto Combo Edge Knife Review

January 5, 2016 by Thomas Xavier | Updated: March 26, 2020 29 Comments

Very few knives have been requested to be reviewed on this blog quite as much as the Cold Steel XL series of Voyager knives. I was always apprehensive with regards to reviewing them as they can be perceived (whether justly or unjustly, I will leave that up to you) as more of a gimmick or party piece rather than a real bona fide oversized knife that could be wielded as an everyday carry tool.

Whilst I am by no means convinced as to the viability of the Cold Steel Voyager Tanto XL as an everyday tool, I can’t fault Cold Steel when it comes to the quality of the knife or its performance as a folding sword. If nothing else, we should applaud them for bringing something so interesting to the market. Now onward with the review!

The Cold Steel Voyager XL Tanto ain’t your grandpa’s old timer’, but you already knew that taking one look at it. We are talking a serious slab of cutting power here with a total length –  closed  – of  6.75 inches . That’s not only impressive, it’s frankly mind boggling. It’s almost as long closed as the Delica is open!

The real eye opener is when you deploy this bad boy. Hot damn, will you look at that 5.5 inch blade? The craziest thing is that thanks to you (kind) readers who love to torture me, this is not even the largest folding knife I own. I think it’s fair to mention that I do take your suggestions to heart when picking up knives to review, and this folder on me is living proof! Certainly not something I’d opt to buy myself just for myself.

All that being said, I’m not going to lie, the odd thing about this knife is that after carrying the it around, other knives seem to be so much smaller, and I no longer view the Voyager XL as “enormous.” I think I may be suffering from a case of oversized knife Stockholm syndrome!

Before we get into the nitty gritty, I should mention that I purchased my Voyager last year before the new CTS-XHP versions/updates were released. The only difference is the steel, and a justifiable price increase, but other than that it’s the same knife, grind, and everything else – so no need to worry about ending up with a knife completely different from mine. Not gonna happen.

Like almost all folding Cold Steel knives, the Voyager XL features the most excellent TRI-AD lock, by far and large my favourite heavy-duty lock. As extreme testing by Andrew Demko and others have demonstrated time and time again – there is no competition if what you seek is the ultimate in lock up strength and resilience under duress.

It’s one hell of a lock, and with a blade this big that will happily take all your digits (and then some!) you really want the TRI-AD lock on the Voyager XL.

The tanto blade is hollow ground on the primary edge and full flat on the reinforced tanto tip. Beautiful stonewashed with no grind marks or flaws of any kind. Very impressive taking into account how much steel is at play here and the price point it’s offered at.

The cutting performance is… interesting. The Voyager came razor sharp out of the box (like all the Cold Steels I own save the Latin Machete ), and I think the grinds are a good compromise between toughness and slicing performance. At 4 mm thick, the Voyager XL is hardly a folding light saber, but I had no issues with the cutting performance for everyday tasks based on my experiences.

With that said, any problems I’ll have with this knife will not be with how lean the grind is, but rather the style of the blade. Tanto’s are not exactly renown for their utility in the kitchen, and the Voyager is no exception. It’s a brute that is ground aggressively enough at the edge to leave some serious lacerations and bite marks.

Looking at it from the spine down, I think it’s fair to assume that it wasn’t designed to cleanly slice tomatoes.

The tanto tip is, in my opinion, perfectly ground with the right amount of stabbiness whilst retaining the reinforced/super tough aspect that a tanto blade can bring to the table. I don’t like to pry with my folding knives, as lateral stress on pivots is never a great idea, but if I had to dig out some nails from some thick slabs of wood – this would be my folding knife of choice.

I did get the Cold Steel XL Vaquero as well (once again, I do listen!) and the difference between these two knives was drastic enough that I decided to review the Vaquero separately . With that said, look at the grind difference between the two.

The Voyager XL Tanto (on the right in the pictures below) is clearly designed for rougher use. No doubt about it.

I never expected the different to be so drastic. I think the tanto really morphs the knife from a vicious slicer to a tougher, more resilient tactical option.

The quality of the Cold Steel Voyager XL is top notch. No flaws or manufacturing defects and centering is dead center. Good job with this, Cold Steel.

Nested liners, hell yes! With a knife this large, weight is obviously a primary concern. As shocking as it may sound, the Voyager XL Tanto weighs in at only 7.7 ounces, which is freaking amazingly light taking into account that you get a 4 mm thick 5.5 inch blade. Practically unreal.

Deployment is almost humorous. After a few minutes of practice, I could quite happily whip it out like a hound out of hell, but realistically speaking it’s such a humongous knife that I would caution restraint, especially in public.

With that said, if you ever wanted a knife because screw society and their butter knives, then this is it.

In pocket the Voyager XL is…interesting. I expected it to be almost impossible to EDC, and in practice it was surprisingly viable. The reversible (left, right) tip up only pocket clip is nicely designed with obviously a lot of thought going into how this knife was going to be carried and deployed. It’s big, but it works.

Frankly, if you are considering a 5.5 inch folder as an EDC, then you already have the pocket space allocated or some other way of carrying it. This ain’t exactly subtle, but as far as a huge slab of steel in your pocket goes, I think Cold Steel did very well.

To touch on the TRI-AD lock again, if it fails (it won’t) your fingers are probably gone. Like, all of them.

I mean… look at the damn thing.

I made note in the title, though I’ll make note again here – I did pick up the combo version of this knife. I have nothing to add about the combo edge besides the fact that it’s sharp (although it is very difficult to sharpen yourself if it gets dull), and the only thing it does better than a plain edge is cutting rope and other fibrous materials.

I’ve said it many a time before, but I don’t personally like combo edges. You guys keep asking why I don’t give them a try so I gave in to peer pressure fully with this knife and thought, hell why not. Just keep this moment in mind – I gave the suckers a try and I still don’t like them! Not many more combo edge knives for me in the future. Of course I 100% get that some love ’em and live by ’em, and that’s a-ok with me. What knife to carry is a personal choice after all, and the best pocket knife for you will depend greatly on the tasks you use your knife for regularly, your environment, as well as a slew of other preferences. But guys. I’m really not a combo edge kind of guy. Just not gonna be able to convert me.

In a traditional saber grip, this knife is very comfortable. The Grivory (basically a glass reinforced nylon) scales are grippy; full of choils and ergonomic curves designed to lock your hand into place. This is one hell of an option for tactical applications by virtue of its in-hand retention. It’s really  not going anywhere!

Choking up isn’t ideal as there is no choil to speak of. However, the Cold Steel Voyager XL is definitely not uncomfortable as you might assume simply by looking at it. You will look ridiculous, though, doing detail work with a blade that unwieldy. Not that I’d expect you’d care about social perception if you’re carrying this anyway.

Now this is interesting – having such a humongous handle means you can choke back quite nicely. In practice, Cold Steel makes allowances for this by adding two finger choils near the butt of the knife (as you can see in the photograph above), which gives you a great grip. Couple that with a lanyard and I do believe you have the best (secure) reach of any folding knife for chopping or tactical applications. Very cool.

Reverse grip is also comfortable. Penetrating power is extremely high thanks to that mean tanto point and the TRI-AD lock’s legendary safety means you can stab away (into wood, recreationally of course) to your heart’s content.

And for the sake of review consistency – here’s the Cold Steel Voyger XL in the pinch grip. It’s silly, don’t do it. Far better options around for these sorts of cutting tasks.

Balance is (as you would expect) pretty perfect. With the nested liners and choice of lightweight scale material, it’s clear that the Cold Steel Voyager XL is purpose driven. It handles like a knife half it’s size with no issues what so ever.

At the end of the day, the sorts of people that would consider this knife already know what to expect. Its huge. Its tough. It’s an oversized Cold Steel. If this is what you want then you will go with this, the Rajah II or Vaquero . You simply don’t have a choice with regards to brand, as Cold Steel basically dominates this niche market which is something you knew already if you’re even remotely interested in these types of knives.

It’s a damn shame, in my honest opinion, as I find myself applauding Cold Steel over and over again for taking risks that other knife companies simply won’t. They won’t dare to risk suffering the scorn of the forumites (not  our forum ; we are awesome, totally open minded people!) who dismiss what is an extremely capable knife (taking into account it’s size) as being a glorified toy or mall ninja accessory whilst promoting over-priced slabs of titanium that don’t offer close to the performance of the cheapest Cold Steel TRI-AD lock option. I could go on for a while, but I will leave my rant at that, and I’m sure pick back up another day, for brevity’s sake.

In a brutish sort of manner, the Cold Steel Voyager XL is quite appealing. I don’t think it will ever win any beauty awards, but it’s definitely not as unrefined as one might assume a 5.5 inch folding tanto would be. Colour me impressed.

I try hard to give every knife a shot when it comes to scribbling down my reviews and for the most part (as I think you will agree) I have done that. Handling as much steel as I do puts me in a privileged position, as I can get a good glimpse of the full breadth of what the industry has to offer. So when Cold Steel (or anyone else for that matter) introduces something so outlandish as the Voyager XL Tanto – I can’t help but be curious! Even if it is completely out of my realm of normal and “ideal” for an EDC.

Yes, it’s a pretty ridiculous knife, and if you are budgeting for only owning one EDC – this would not even come close to being my first choice. I’ve said it time and time again , but if you’ve got the bank, the best chance you’re going to have at the perfect EDC knife is the  Paramilitary 2 (I know you are groaning, but I recommend it so often for a reason). Even if you haven’t got that kind of money, there are plenty of better EDC knives when it comes to pure bang-for-buck that would fit your price point or desired application better than this one.

If, however, what you want is an enormous blade that will terrify pretty much everyone as you deploy it, and yet can handle it’s business when it comes to cutting and slicing – then you’re gonna want either this sucker, the Vaquero XL , or the Rajah II . Not many options for oversized folder fanatics, but at least Cold Steel’s got your back – they took the plunge and risked the scorn just for you folks!

About Thomas Xavier

Knife aficionado and lifelong tinkerer. Into bushcraft, hiking, and gear.

Browse MTJS posts by me here & other blogs of mine here .

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December 20, 2021 at 12:29 pm

I have a 4max scout by coldsteel…one of many excellent knives by this brand. When you say other knives feel small after carrying, the 4max scout gave me that effect. My Kershaw knockout feels like a toy next to it but that is another fine knife from a different genre.

January 4, 2024 at 9:40 am

Yeah, its a strange sensation. For Christmas I had a Case Swayback gent and it was so pocketable I almost found it jarring compared to my regular “full-size” edc’s.

December 20, 2021 at 12:21 pm

November 2, 2020 at 12:57 am

Your review helped me in an unanticipated way. Recently I placed an order on a Cold Steel Voyager XL Tanto Plain folding knife. My order came and I noticed that the logos on the blade looked a little different from the pictures on the order website (amazon) and the blade wasn’t actually a plain edge, it was combo blade (which wasn’t an option on the website). I suspected it was a knock off, but after doing a little digging, I found your review and the Voyager is identical to the one you show in this review, including the logos (“Cold Steel” and “Voyager. I’m trying to decide whether to send it back and get an exchange, but at least I know that I’m dealing with a discontinued but genuine product (it might be worth keeping as a collector’s item).

January 26, 2021 at 9:36 am

As far as a collectors item goes, value is limited as they were made in huge numbers. That said, if you like it, you like it. ;)

March 30, 2016 at 7:04 am

That was a terrifying review. I think I will go buy a spyderco squeak…

April 9, 2016 at 3:38 pm

Hah, use the squeak as a lanyard bead for the Voyager! ;)

January 14, 2016 at 12:27 pm

“It’s silly, don’t do it” how big are your hands? I won’t debate “It’s silly”. I’m silly. 5.5″ of blade length fits very neatly in my hands… But that nearly (looking) 6″ of handle sticking out the back would probably ruin my comfort in holding out for this use.

January 21, 2016 at 1:50 am

My hands are a western glove L, the handle is remarkably light and well balanced- the sillyness is whipping it out in public and seeing the horror in everyones eyes as you use it to neatly open a bag of candy. Seeing as I am not a savage, I refuse to use my teeth to tear packages open!

Thanks for dropping by!

January 9, 2016 at 12:53 am

“I’ve said it many a time before, but I don’t personally like combo edges. You guys keep asking why I don’t give them a try so I gave in to peer pressure fully with this knife and thought, hell why not. Just keep this moment in mind – I gave the suckers a try and I still don’t like them! ”

I’m really glad to see that you reviewed a combo edged knife! I still don’t grok why you don’t like them. I really haven’t met ******anyone who really uses their knives who doesn’t love a combo blade. You can’t survive in the ****real world without one.

I’m a knife guy and I use mine 12 to 50 times per day. The serrated blade keeps me sane. I don’t even carry non-serrated blades anymore because they don’t have the cutting power. It’s just a fact.

January 9, 2016 at 9:19 am

Hi Chris, If you wouldn’t mind, maybe you can answer some questions for me about these “combo” edges. When they first came to my notice, the pitch was you could slash through nylon straps and rope much faster than with a normal blade. (what I think of as normal) As I didn’t have any straps or rope that I wanted to cut up, I just accepted the claim on faith. But that still leaves me wondering who are these folks who need to be able to cut through straps or rope in some kind of hurry? Maybe a load-master on a C-130 under mortar fire? How about a sailor tangled in the anchor line and fallen overboard? As exciting as these examples are I can’t honestly say that this kind of thing has ever applied to me. As a matter of fact, my goal when out in the woods is to plan ahead enough to where derring-do isn’t required, humdrum being more appreciated. The one opportunity I’ve had to use a serrated edge left me unimpressed with the rough and imprecise edge left as the blade cut, sort of a rabid beaver effect. Plus there is the problem of trying to sharpen the thing in the field. Now, maybe you were being just a tad dramatic, but I’ve been “surviving in the real world” without a combo edge for quite a while and in fact expect to be around for a good bit more!

January 21, 2016 at 1:49 am

I keep my knives sharp enough (compulsive stropping much to Elises annoyance) that I have yet to feel the need for a combo edge.

Glad to hear they are working out for you though, they make them so clearly they have their place in the world!

January 8, 2016 at 11:49 am

I have a Remington locking, single blade, about 3″ long. After two or three years the blade began having a slight side-to-side wobble. I really didn’t think I’d abused it all that much but you couldn’t argue that the wobble wasn’t there. I drilled the pivot pin out and replaced it with an iron rod that has rivet “mushrooms” taped into each end. Gently working the mushrooms down tighter got the wobble out and now it’s nice and snug. My point is that any large folding knife that’s used for much of anything is going to be stressed at the pivot. I’d expect a knife as large as this Voyager with a blade of 5.5″ to put a awful lot of stress on the hinge. ……wobble, wobble! my buddy, who is a fisherman, has a tackle box full of the most outrageous molded soft plastic lures, silly looking things really, you have to wonder what self respecting fish would ever consider eating one. Kinda like somebody buying this knife. However if you did rash off and buy it, well, then you’ve got a knife to loan to your worthless brother-in-law!

January 21, 2016 at 1:47 am

Great story! I will say that the Voyager is shockingly tough and after applying (considerable) lateral stress on the blade, all it took was for me to tighten the pivot for the blade to be rock solid. I have yet to have ANY issues with any TRIAD folders from Cold Steel!

January 6, 2016 at 3:49 pm

Looking forward to the Vaquero review.

January 21, 2016 at 1:46 am

Its a mean one to be sure!

January 6, 2016 at 3:34 pm

One thing I gotta say is that the only kitchen work I’ve done with this knife is making a tomato salad and it sliced those tomatoes super clean, leaving all the little seed sacks completely intact; I felt like I was making Japanese tomato sashimi at a fancy sushi joint using a katana.

January 6, 2016 at 6:12 pm

Please tell me you were wearing your rising sun head band and screamed out “irrashaimase” whenever anyone walked into the kitchen!

January 7, 2016 at 3:37 am

Haha.. How’d you know?

January 7, 2016 at 6:07 pm

I think deep down, all of us here on Thomas and Elise’s site, are a bit similar.

Seriously…if you didn’t do this I’d think you were too normal!

hahaha…glad you had fun though!

Gotta love these folding sushi knives aye? I think Cold Steel missed out on a marketing opportunity!

January 6, 2016 at 11:15 am

That is a hell of a knife!! I’m more of a triditional knife person but I definetly see the attraction! What was the steel featured on you knife? I don’t think you mentioned it Great review! Keep it up!!

January 21, 2016 at 1:45 am

Howdy Seth! The steel on my knife is AUS-8A, a decent stainless steel- the newer models feature CTS-XHP which is a marked improvement, not that I would notice the difference in real world use.

January 6, 2016 at 12:42 am

The juxtaposition of Vaquero and Tanto in the photo was impressive! Thanks for the review.

January 21, 2016 at 1:44 am

Its certainly an interesting comparison, one that is seldom mentioned in other reviews.

Thanks for dropping by Egi, always appreciate it!

January 5, 2016 at 9:22 pm

Same as Jackie. I never saw the need for a big folder.

I really want one of these now. It shall be my birthday present to myself!

Great review Thomas! All things considered this is not an expensive knife. I bought a Kershaw Shuffle II 2 months ago and have been in love with that knife. out of the box it was sharp enough to just slide through newspaper and tough enough that the edge hasn’t diminished and the handle steel is hardened against enduring scratches. The big thing for me with that knife was the finish on the blade having that blackwash/mottled look.

I couldn’t find that with the Coldsteel, but if you happen to have inside info and they come out with one, would love to know. I’ll keep my ear to the ground too.

Thanks again. And Happy New Year to you and Elise as well mate. I hope you had a great one!

January 21, 2016 at 1:43 am

As far as I know, Cold Steel is not planning on producing “Blackwash” style knives. I could be wrong though so don’t hold me to it!

Let me know what you think of the Voyager once you receive it & happy New Year to you too my friend!

January 5, 2016 at 4:43 pm

I clicked on this from my email expecting a good laugh because I would never even consider this knife. But, then after reading it, I find myself wanting to pick one up. Maybe it’s this quote that got me: “With that said, if you ever wanted a knife because screw society and their butter knives, then this is it.” Anyway, great review.

January 21, 2016 at 1:42 am

When I received it in the mail, I didn’t think I would be quite so smitten. I guess there is a lil’ bit of contrarian in all of us.

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Cold Steel Large Voyager Folder - Blk Grive-Ex (4" AUS10A) 29AT

SKU: CS29AT-P2-346

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Product Description

Cold Steel 29AT Large Voyager Tanto Point, 4" AUS10A Plain Blade, Black Grive-Ex Handle

The Cold Steel Voyager series is designed to be the true “everyman” knife. Lightweight, comfortable, and super sharp, they are rugged, dependable and perfect for hunting and camping as well as general utility and daily cutting chores. Voyagers excel in many survival and rescue applications, and they have proven to be very popular with Police and Military personnel, who appreciate the combination of the cutting performance and safety that they offer. Each knife in our extensive Voyager series is precision engineered and held to our most exacting standards. The Voyager series features Japanese AUS10A Alloy Blades, and our Tri-Ad locking mechanism - which is quite possibly the most secure, safe and shock resistant lock on the market today! The Voyager’s ergonomic Griv-Ex handles (reinforced with heat treated 6061 aluminum liners) provide both great comfort and a secure grip even under extended use in tough conditions. Available in two sizes and with numerous blade and edge configurations, there’s a Voyager for everyone.

Specifications:

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Cold Steel Voyager XL Knife Review

By Ben North

Updated on July 29, 2024

Sometimes Size Matters

The Cold Steel Voyager XL is a big folding knife. So big in fact that when it was first announced many years ago I just sort of ignored it as a gimmick, because I thought it was too big to be a practical EDC pocket folder.

Turns out I was an idiot. While it certainly takes up more space in your pants or shorts pocket than an average folding knife it is surprisingly comfortable in the pocket of the type of clothing worn by the sort of person who would carry this knife.

Obviously it would be a bit cramped in the blood flow-restricting skinny jeans that seem to be popular with the weirdly bearded hipster class that infests America’s more densely populated regions, but I don’t think they are the target demographic Cold Steel had in mind when they designed this knife.

The Voyager XL has been my primary EDC for over six months now, and I am surprised at how many times the bigger than average size has been advantageous. In fact it has me wondering if my wife has been lying to me all these years, but that is a subject for a different post.

Knife Specifications

Blade construction and design.

The Voyager XL comes in three different blade styles: Drop Point, Tanto and Vaquero. I am partial to drop point, so that’s the focus for this review. I considered getting the Vaquero for a minute, because I thought it would be funny for my friends to ask, “Is that a Vaquero in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”, but I am a clip point addict, and my friends are not that witty.

Cold Steel has recently begun moving many of their knives from AUS-8 steel to Carpenter CTS BD1 stee l, and the Voyager is one of those knives. You can still find AUS8 steel versions out there, and they are usually around $25 cheaper than the new versions with the CTS BD1 steel. Due to my propensity for losing knives or dropping them in the water I picked up an AUS8 version as well as the CTS BD1 steel version.

AUS8 steel certainly has a few detractors, but I have always found it to be a more than serviceable option for any job I needed it to do, and I am pretty tough on knives. It does lose it’s edge quicker than higher end steels like CTS BD1 and S30V, but I find sharpening to be fun and relaxing.

The fact that knives made with AUS8 are usually quite a bit cheaper is important to those of us who lose knives on regular basis or have bank accounts can’t that support the shiny blade addictions of the gainfully employed steel nerds. In spite of my poor man’s affinity for AUS8 steel, I have to admit that the Carpenter CTS BD1 steel is superior to AUS8 in almost every way including edge retention and corrosion resistance.

2024 Update Cold Steel has upgraded the Voyager XL’s blade steel to AUS10A which offers a significan edge retention upgrade without sacrificing corrosion resistance.

The blade of the Voyager XL was crazy sharp on delivery, and it was centered well with no vertical or horizontal play which is really impressive for a folder this big at this price point. The blade is a  serrated/plain edge combo which I have mixed feelings about. Sometimes a bit of serration is nice, but it is more difficult to sharpen. If you are anti serration there is a 100% plain edge version, and if you love serrated blades there is a version that is almost 100% serrated.

The blade has a full flat grind and a nice thin edge. The Voyager XL has a very aggressive clip point which is good from a tactical standpoint, but not ideal for a work knife. The blade has ambidextrous thumb studs that are well placed, but it takes a little practice to open the knife smoothly due to it’s above average size.

I personally ignore the thumb studs and just flip it open. The Voyager XL has a really smooth action, but it doesn’t feel like it wants to jump out of your hand when you flip it open quickly like some other large folders do.

Handle Construction and Ergonomics

The Voyager handle is made of Cold Steel’s Grivory which is a glass reinforced polymer resin that I have always found to be tough and durable. The handle is heavily textured from one end to the other, and this texture is especially nice when using the Voyager XL in wet weather. I have used it often in the rain without any problems.

I have read a few complaints about the texture being too rough and a little uncomfortable, but I haven’t noticed that even though my hands are are soft and sissy from spending a lot of time writing, taking pictures, and caressing my reflection in the mirror instead of doing actual real man work. So I don’t think the rough texture will be an issue for most people.

One of the features of the Voyager XL that make it practical and fairly easy to use for everyday tasks is its large handle.

At 6.8 inches the handle is one of the largest of any pocket folder, and Cold Steel utilizes this space well to make the Voyager fairly versatile and easy to grip. There is a large finger groove on the front of the handle that helps make the handle more grippable, and there are two finger grooves on the back of the handle right where it forms a semi hook shape.

The rear finger grooves and the semi hook shape combine to provide an extremely secure grip when chopping or reaching to cut something. There have been several times I have found myself using this grip to slice through weeds, blackberry bushes or hard to reach fishing line caught in tree branches, which is a great testament to the knife handle’s utility. Less so my casting technique.

The area between the two sets of finger grooves is contoured, which helps make the handle more comfortable regardless of where you hold it.

While I personally like the shape and placement of the finger grooves on the Voyager XL handle, there are those who have complained that this handle limits the user’s grip options, and I have to concede that there is some truth to that. While the conventional saber grip is easy, the reverse grip is limited somewhat by the inability to put your thumb over the butt of the handle unless you have huge hands.

This doesn’t bother me much, because the unique chopping ability and added reach the long hooked handle give me are worth the few grip limitations they create. However, if I were looking for a large folding EDC primarily for tactical reasons the grip constraints may be an issue.

My limited tactical knife training consist mostly of getting my ass kicked in training knife sparring matches by a few friends who have been well trained in knife Eskrima. That probably makes me more of an expert than your average person, but I am not gonna pretend I am qualified to recommend the best tactical knife for you or your dog.

There are a few other cool details in the handle, like the fact that this knife has Cold Steel’s awesome tri-ad lock which may be the best back lock in the folding knife world.

This is especially important with a knife that has a blade long enough to take off four of your fingers if it were to fail at the wrong time. It also has 6061 heat treated aluminum liners which help make this knife more durable, and are partially responsible for it’s impressive weight of 7.4 ounces.

One of the most common complaints of this knife is how tight the clip is when the Voyager is new. It is definitely the tightest clip of any knife I have ever owned, and it will mark your pocket up pretty bad until it is broken in. If you’re that concerned about your pants, it can be ground down or you can put a nickel or two in the clip for a few days to loosen it up a bit.

Closing Thoughts & Opinions

Obviously I am not capable of doing a subjective review of this knife, because it is my favorite EDC, and I own a lot of knives. That being said, I love this knife, because it helps me do my job. I spend a lot of time in the wilderness taking photos, and having a knife that is basically a mini machete that also works well for camp food prep is great.

While I realize that my situation is unique, there is something to be said for the fact that this knife has been in production for over 15 years, because Cold Steel would not have kept selling and upgrading this knife if it were not popular. I’m guessing I’m not the only person out there who thinks it’s the handiest knife they own.

Considering the fact that this knife usually sells for around $50 I think it is steal for any knife enthusiast, but like I said before, I am not capable of objectivity when it comes to this knife. It’s great for pretty much everything I do outdoors.

I haven’t spent a lot of time talking about the tactical benefits of this knife, because I don’t feel qualified, but I think the sheer size of the Cold Steel Voyager XL might get you out of a potentially violent situation. It is pretty scary when it is opened and mildly scary when it is closed.

If you are wondering about the Tanto or Vaquero models of the Cold Steel XL check out the reviews on More Than Just Surviving . Their reviews are very thorough, and I think they usually write sober. Sobriety and thoroughness are two things you will rarely find on Nothing But Knives , because we still think incoherent enthusiasm somehow makes up for drunken laziness.

About Ben North

Ben started a twenty year commercial photography career after a blurry stint in the navy. He spent a lot of time losing and breaking knives and other EDC gear on location shoots before starting Nothing But Knives. He has reviewed and tested hundreds of both outdoor and kitchen knives over the course of the last six years, and he was mostly sober while testing and reviewing.

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Cold Steel Voyager Tanto/Vaquero Serrated/Plain Extra Large, 5.5in Blade Length, AUS10A Steel Knife Up to 28% Off w/ Free S&H — 3 models

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Product Info for Cold Steel Voyager Tanto/Vaquero Serrated/Plain Extra Large, 5.5in Blade Length, AUS10A Steel Knife

Specifications for cold steel voyager tanto/vaquero serrated/plain extra large, 5.5in blade length, aus10a steel knife:, features of cold steel voyager tanto/vaquero serrated/plain extra large, 5.5in blade length, aus10a steel knife.

• Ambidextrous Pocket / Belt Clip

Package Contents:

• Cold Steel Voyager Tanto/Vaquero Serrated/Plain Extra Large, 5.5in Blade Length, AUS10A Steel Knife

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Cold Steel Voyager, Extra Large Tanto Serrated, CS-29TXCTS

Cold Steel Knives: Cold Steel Voyager Knife, Extra Large Tanto Serrated, CS-29TXCTS

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Cold Steel Large Voyager - Tanto

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The Cold Steel Voyager Large Tanto is designed to be the true everyman knife. Lightweight, comfortable, and super sharp, they are rugged, dependable and perfect for hunting and camping as well as general utility and daily cutting chores. Cold Steel Voyager Large Tanto knives excel in many survival and rescue applications, and they have proven to be very popular with Police and Military personnel, who appreciate the combination of the cutting performance and safety that they offer. Each tactical tanto knife in our extensive Voyager series is precision engineered and held to our most exacting standards. The Voyager series features Japanese AUS10A Alloy Blades, and our Tri-Ad locking mechanism - which is quite possibly the most secure, safe and shock resistant lock on the market today! The Voyager’s ergonomic Griv-Ex handles (reinforced with heat treated 6061 aluminum liners) provide both great comfort and a secure grip even under extended use in tough conditions. This tactical tanto knife is available in two sizes and with numerous blade and edge configurations, there's a Voyager for everyone.

• Overall Length: 9.25" (235mm)
• Closed Length: 5.25" (133mm)
• Blade Length: 4" (102mm)
• Blade Thickness: 0.14" (3.5mm)
• Blade Steel: AUS10A
• Blade Style: Tanto
• Blade Finish: Stonewashed
• Handle Material: Griv-Ex
• Pocket Clip: Yes, right or left hand, tip up
• Lock Type: Lockback
• Weight: 4.7oz

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Cold Steel Voyager Large 4" AUS10A Clip Point Razor-Sharp Blade 5.25" Griv-Ex Handle Everyday Carry Tactical Folding Knife, Blister Pack

Purchase options and add-ons

• CLIP POINT BLADE - Lightweight, comfortable, and super sharp, the Cold Steel Voyager Large Clip Point folding knife is rugged, dependable and perfect for hunting and camping as well as general utility and daily cutting chores
• AUS10A STEEL BLADE - The Cold Steel Voyager Large folding knife's blade is crafted from premium Japanese AUS10A steel, renowned for its outstanding corrosion resistance and remarkable ability to maintain a sharp and durable edge over time
• ERGONOMIC HANDLE - The ergonomic Griv-Ex handle is reinforced with heat-treated 6061 aluminum liners to ensure ultimate durability; This handle provides great comfort and a secure grip even under extended use in tough conditions
• TRI-AD LOCK - Equipped with Cold Steel's renowned Tri-Ad locking mechanism, the Voyager Large folding knife offers unparalleled strength and shock resistance; This locking mechanism enhances the knife's reliability and safety during heavy-duty tasks
• SPECS - Weight: 5 oz (141.7 g); Blade Thickness: 3.5 mm; Blade Length: 4"; Blade Steel: AUS10A; Handle Length/Material: 5.25" Griv-Ex; Overall Length: 9.25"; Knife Type: Folder; Blade Shape: Clip Point; Locking Mechanism: Tri-Ad Lock

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Product details

• Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.44 x 3.9 x 0.91 inches; 5 ounces
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ CS-29ACZ
• Department ‏ : ‎ unisex-adult
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ February 27, 2023
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ GSM Outdoors
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BX21WM9J
• #4,451 in Pocket Knives & Folding Knives

Product Description

COLD STEEL VOYAGER LARGE CLIP POINT BLADE FOLDING KNIFE: The Clip Point Voyager Large is designed to be the true "everyman" knife. FEATURES: - 4" AUS10A Steel Clip Point Blade; - 5 1/2" Griv-Ex Handle with 6061 luminum liners; - 9 1/2" Overall Length; - 3.5 mm Blade Thickness; - Tri-Ad Lock; - Ambidextrous Pocket / Belt Clip. The Voyager Series: The Cold Steel Voyager series is designed to be the true everyman knife. Lightweight, comfortable, super sharp, they are rugged, dependable, and perfect for hunting and camping as well as general utility and daily cutting chores. The Voyagers excel in many survival and rescue applications. They are precision-engineered and held to our most exacting standards. Feature AUS10A blades, and our safe and shock-resistant Tri-Ad locking mechanism. The ergonomic Griv-Ex handles (reinforced with heat-treated 6061 aluminum liners) provide great comfort and a secure grip even under extended use in tough conditions.

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This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Top Brand: Cold Steel

From the manufacturer.

BLADE STEELS

S35VN: It is very tough, durable, and corrosion-resistant. It will take a fine razor-sharp edge that will last a long time.

AUS8A: This steel has performed amazingly well and has proven to be an excellent steel for working knives - tough, corrosion resistant, with good edge holding, and easy to re-sharpen. AUS10A: AUS 10A is equal in strength and toughness to AUS 8A, but has the extraordinary advantage of an additional 20% in edge holding ability.

8CR13MOV/5CR15MOV: The high-carbon stainless steel has proven itself to be tough and corrosion-resistant. It boasts good edge holding and is easy to re-sharpen.

4116SS: Its carbon and chromium content is balanced for excellent corrosion resistance and strength. Capable of taking a very fine, sharp edge, it makes an outstanding choice.

4034SS: A Japanese-made medium-grade stainless steel that admirably resists corrosion due to its higher Chromium content. It is also easy to sharpen and ensures wear resistance.

LOCKING MECHANISMS

Atlas Lock: It features a sturdy back lock design that ensures the blade remains securely in place during use. It is known for its reliability and simplicity. It provides smooth operation and strong locking performance.

Tri-Ad Lock: Known for its unparalleled strength and durability. This innovative locking system utilizes a unique stop pin and rocker arm design to provide exceptional resistance to lateral blade forces. The Tri-Ad Lock is engineered to withstand extreme pressure.

Rocker: It utilizes a spring-loaded rocker arm to securely engage the blade, holding it securely in the open position while allowing for easy one-handed closing.

Scorpion: This innovative system features a spring-loaded lock bar that engages the blade tang from both sides, resembling the pincers of a scorpion.

Spring-Leaf Lock: It employs a leaf spring that engages with a notch on the blade, holding it open during use. The spring tension can be adjusted to customize the opening and closing resistance.

G-10: Known for its high strength, lightweight, and wear resistance. Provides excellent grip, even in wet conditions.

GFN (Glass-Filled Nylon): Consists of nylon mixed with glass fibers for added strength and rigidity. Offers durability, impact resistance, and affordability. Provides a comfortable and secure grip.

Griv-Ex: Engineered thermoplastic polymer with high impact and abrasion resistance. Offers a balance of durability, lightweight, and affordability.

Carbon Fiber: Known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and sleek appearance. Provides a high-end, premium feel and superior aesthetics.

6061 Aluminum: Provides excellent strength and durability. Offers lightweight construction and resistance to corrosion. Delivers a solid, ergonomic grip and a sleek, metallic finish.

Cold Steel brings new levels of strength, safety, and performance to the market, providing products that you can rely on - Anytime, Anywhere!

What's in the box

• Cold Steel CS-29ACZ: Large Voyager / 4" Clip Point / 9.25" Overall / 3.5Mm Thick

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COLD STEEL Voyager Large 4" AUS10A Clip Point Razor-Sharp Blade 5.25" Griv-Ex Handle Everyday Carry

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