Cold Steel Vaquero: A More Martial Voyager? 

Yeah, me as well, I hope the 4" Talwar gets made with serrations; until then a serrated Spartan, and occasionally a Black Talon II, find a home in a pocket near me.

I'll probably add a serrated version.

It's a very wicked blade, but I try not to dull mine. The plain edge is a good training tool. I keep the serrated version for those situations you hope never come.

Yeah I have the serrated version. Once I saw for myself how absolutely brutal serrated blades are I always get serrated versions now. They do cut much better

It's on my list to review

Thanks! I've heard the serrated Vaquero is very impressive.

@@michaelrizzo5523 I hope to get in this Saturday, I looking forward to it. Keep the videos coming I really enjoy hearing from knife guys who really do their research. I studied Ta kown do in S.Korea for 5 years (2nd Dan) but bladed marital arts was not taught while I served in the U.S. Army. The Korean people look very negative at knifes and you can get in big legal trouble for even using a pocket knife with a long blade.

@@tumbleweed6658 TKD is a hell of a skillset. I tore myself up in similar demanding arts. I mostly study knife arts as an adjunct to sword, as there are many similarities. My basic philosophy is all close quarters fighting is either fencing (hitting hopefully without getting hit), grappling, or in that particularly risky crossover range both at once.

Thanks! I think the serrated version would be the better choice for focused martial application. The plain edge isn't bad, but has a lot of competition in the "all around" big EDC class. Espadas are up starting next week.

On my wish list, but I have concerns about the liner lock after issues I had with the Luzon.

I picked up a Tanto Voyager XL which I'll review, and I have a few other American Tanto blades, and they all have the same pros and cons for me. They're definitely designed to be durable in penetrating hard targets, but on my spectrum of tip geometry from "needle" to "shovel" they're more shovel (or chisel), which means they'll meet more resistance penetrating soft targets, but will be structurally stronger than a narrower tip, create a much bigger channel and impart more impact in the stab (make sure there's a substantial guard to keep hands from sliding up onto blades under impact). That can make it very good for stabbing as a martial tool, but in slashing and utility slicing, especially for knives like the Tanto Voyager that have very straight edges, that "corner" between the tip and edge is doing the best work. That makes it less useful for me for certain utility tasks than a blade with a belly, and over time with hard use and lots of resharpening I've found that corner starts to round off and become less effective. I suppose you could re-profile the tip and get that sharp corner back, but I lack the skill to do so. So I just don't personally prefer them enough for all-around use to carry one.

@@michaelrizzo5523 Ok, thank you. I have some hunting knives from muela, cudeman, miguel nieto etc, so i like that you also review this type of knives.

I did a review of the drop point and clip point. The clip is more acute and a bit better as a slicer, the drop is stouter. I really like them both.

People got bent that I criticized the Laredo, but I have so many much cheaper CS knives that I think had better fit and finish. Their folders have been consistently very good.

Since I don't like using it as a utility knife, I haven't used the Vaquero enough to need to resharpen it. And despite all the chopping, carving, box cutting and slicing I've done with the Espada I've only needed to occasionally refresh the edge, which I do freehand. But based on the guides on my tool, I'd say less than 20 degrees. The edges are pretty keen.

I can't speak to the serrated Vaquero, which a lot of folks seem to love, but I just like the balance and profile of the Espada overall, and use it more in general.

I'm also at the point of not buying more knives just for martial application, they have to be useful. I'm lucky that folding knife carry isn't discouraged most places I go, but if I go somewhere "sensitive" I'll just drop it all the way down in the pocket. And watch out for those specific cities that limit blade length. That said, I think other CS designs are much better for practical uses.

I have a Ritual and it really isn't a very good general purpose pocket knife compared to any plain old design. Opening boxes is much more difficult than any normal style blade, but it sure does get a reaction when you show it to people. High Cool factor, low general practicality. Still find myself carrying it over my other knives though.

I disagree with you. Do you buy a gun for bread cutting? The guns as well as Vaquero XL are for self-defense.