Condor at Sportsman's Warehouse

[AJumbo]

First jump out of the chute, I AN NOT AFFILIATED WITH EITHER SPORTSMAN'S WAREHOUSE OR CONDOR KNIFE AND TOOL. That said....

I was wasting some of my lunch hour strolling through SW today and discovered an end-cap display of Condor knives. I saw Bushlore, Bushlore Jr, a kukri and several machetes. I think the prices were actually pretty competitive, and there's always the "I can have it RIGHT NOW!" factor. I only mention this because this is the first time I've seen Condor products offered on a retail basis in the Phoenix area. I may have to find room in my gear for the kukri (1075 steel, full tang, 5/16" thick.)

 

[Yo Mama]

I'm in Phx also, and in Sportsmans WH often. Condor is decent for what you pay, nothing fancy, but works. I have no problem with them, and the company really enjoys giving their customer base what they ask for.

 

[bnolsen]

I have their dynasty dadao sword. Very nice sword, although shorter than a historical one. It hangs on the wall in my office.

I notice the prices have really gone up on those.

 

[Kookla]

Have heard good things about Condor. However, if I were to get a kukri, I'd haunt the Himalayan Imports forum over at bladeforums and pounce on a good deal of the day. Sometimes you can score a kukri blem for a great price.

 

[bnolsen]

Have heard good things about Condor. However, if I were to get a kukri, I'd haunt the Himalayan Imports forum over at bladeforums and pounce on a good deal of the day. Sometimes you can score a kukri blem for a great price.

Agreed about the kukri. On that end I've used a kukri bought off ebay for quite a bit of branch chopping. Something like this one, originally got it for under 15usd: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UUBFDQ Wear gloves with this one as the handle shape is probably the worst part.

 

[hso]

Condor is a good company, but I have to agree that getting an HI is preferable when getting a kukri.

 

[AJumbo]

I've looked at the HI kukris, and like them a lot. The real attractions of the Condor are the full tang (which a lot of the HIs have as well), 1075 steel, and I can lay my hands on it right now. Side by side, for the same money, the HI might be the better tool, but I'm not sure I'lll be using the knife enough to take advantage of the difference. I'm of the opinion that the Cold Steel models are just kukri-shaped machetes.

 

[Kookla]

http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/blems-and-bargain-for-8-16.1513705/

Fifth pic down is this, an HI Villager for $40


That's a hand forged user right there that should stand up to some pretty tough tasks. Haunting the HI forum over there for their deals of the day you can get some amazing blades.

 

[Kookla]

Hoping what I wrote above didn't come across as snobby or anything like that. Apologies if so, none was intended.

I've had a few HI kukris- some chiruwa (full exposed tang, handle scales peened on) and some regular hidden tang (tail of the tang is glued with sap and peened at the end). Using both, I've come to appreciate the regular tang the most. They just seem to work best in my hand. HI blades are thick- I'd have no worries with either.

 

[AJumbo]

Back when I was young (which has changed) and foolish (which hasn't changed nearly as much) I got to borrow a kukri from a friend, with the intention of "testing" it.... by which I mean hacking chopping and slicing stuff just to see how the knife held up. While the edge seemed to hold up better than I expected, the laha glue was no match for the dry heat of the Arizona desert. The handle was a hair loose when I got the knife, and the looseness progressed to the point that the blade and handle parted company one day. Nothing good about about a pound of sharpened spring steel flying through the air.

The attraction of the full tang is that the handle is far more apt to remain with the knife, and I can change the handle if I so desire. I have no compunction about modding a tool to fit me better.

 

[22-rimfire]

Sportsman Warehouse does not carry a broad line of Condor blades (at least where I have shopped). But I do enjoy browsing knives there and have bought several even though the prices are not great; okay but not great. The Condor Bushlore is a pretty handy woods knife. I like the Mini Bushlore too. It gets carried more often than one would expect.

The Condor El Salvador is my favorite Latin machete. Fantastic machete!

I would also go with HI on the Kukri if I wanted one. Good chopping blade.