Short Machete

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22, I don't plan on doing extended hikes on the AT with this tool, but I do intend to hike with it. My main routine is to hike in a few miles, walk off trail to some beautiful place with rocks and water, and set up a base camp, then day hike from there. Part of what I like doing (for the last few years) is finding a camp to hold up in for a week and experiment with building primitive shelters, practice fire building skills, etc - which is where this tool will mostly play a role.

In any case, being a smaller person with a long experience packing gear, I'm definitely an ounce counter.

I have to add, though, that on a purely aesthetic level, that Condor Golok is a fine looking blade.

Trying to figure out the pattern/texture on the blade. What's that about?
 
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Trying to figure out the pattern/texture on the blade. What's that about?
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Nem, according to the manufacturer (http://www.condortk.com/pfeatures.php):
CONDOR® CLASSIC FINISH is a perfected process of hand hammering our Classic Series of axes and knives. It gives a classic and enhanced look to an already well made tool. Our employees use hand powered equipment to put this traditional pattern on, to give it a look as if it was hand forged over 200 years ago. The Classic series is a hit with historical camping fans, mountain men, and colonial period war reenactors
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.
 
I guess it's a crapshoot, Nem.
I think that a lot of the people who buy tools aren't tool users. You can follow that idea, I'm sure.
I'm a tool user and try to use the Parang for what it was intended. Really, it's for bamboos and canes. But, I tend to use it for trail maintenance.
If you have a bad feeling about it, then mark it off your list.
Mine did get a little wave in the blade as I mentioned, but it straightened out (which says something for the steel) and didn't break when I tried to work it cold.
Maybe I got a good one. I dunno.
The analysis of the steel is pretty good for typing. It's ChiCom steel. But, that doesn't automatically doom it.
I really wonder how people are treating these things. I believe that the price point really precludes the dummies from buying the better products.
Like when people buy a Gransfor axe, they plunked down some money for it with the expectation it would be good.
I'm just thinking aloud here since I'm looking for basically the same thing you are. I like a short chete' too and find the Parang quite useful and a good value. *shrug*
 
Uga, thanks for that. Very interesting read. It's nice to see attention paid to aesthetics, especially on a quality tool where it's not a gimmick (as in this case ... not a gimmick. {Good to 'see you', also; been a while.}

Wheel, reasonable thoughts all. It is a crap shoot, and it is ChiCom steel, but I'm willing to bet a five spot that some of the problems are indeed because the users didn't use the tool correctly, within it's constraints.

Still, in thinking through this, using this thread to help - and it's been very useful in that regard - I think I'm leaning more towards a blade on the edge between 'chete and knife, something more like the Kabar Cutlass or the Ontario SP 52 or the ESEE Junglas (if only that were in the budget).

I also agree with what Scramasax wrote above, that a hatchet or ax might be the 'best' tool here for what I'm looking for. (Forgot to comment on that til now; sorry.) Yes, I have considered that, and I own both hatchet and ax - both in storage a continent away... they didn't make the move, at least yet; long story there.

But those tend to be heavy relative to a knife/short machete, and - after decades of using both, I just seem to prefer a longer blade than a hatchet/ax. I can't explain why; it just is.

Plus, I see this as an experiment of sorts to go along with the experiments that I mentioned in post 26. In particular, I want to try out 'batoning' more. So in this case, I'm going to go with a large knife/short 'chete instead of an ax/hatchet.
 
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me said:
... I think I'm leaning more towards a blade on the edge between 'chete and knife, something more like the Kabar Cutlass or the Ontario SP 52 or the ESEE Junglas (if only that were in the budget).
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I mean, how many sheaths come with a user's manual?
 
Nem, not trying to convince you to buy the Condor Pack Golok. I just wanted to make you aware of it. I also like the Condor Parang as it has a longer reach than the standard Golok.
 
Thanks, 22. Clarification accepted. One of those is definitely on my want list. :)
___

This just in.

JimStC-in_different-thread said:
Coincidentally, I just bought a Kabar 1248.
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My response in that thread:
Well, now, for obvious reasons (see other threads [this one]),
I can't wait to read your review on that blade. :)
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That one is currently tied for first place for my next blade.

Its competitor is the Ontario SP-52.

Subtle but potentially important differences in 4 factors (1248/SP52):

* blade length : 11" v 10" (reach out and touch something)
* blade thickness : 0.165" v 0.26" (potential difference in batoning)
* blade steel : 1095 v 5160
* Blade shape : very subtle ...
 
Nematocyst, there are probably not a lot of people harvesting sorghum by hand any more. Those things used to be pretty common--- heck, I had a girlfriend that kept one under the bed! (Nice girl, too!) The blade was nice and thick, plus it had a sharpened hook on the back, sort of like a gut hook; I suppose it was for a pulling cut on the sorghum cane. Next time I'm back east, I'll see if I can find one.
 
Dat der Kershaw Outcast is made by KAI in Japan I think and has D2 plastered all over it. Mine has been good,very sharp, and does not get nicks in moderate use. I don't like knives with coatings on the blade (other than hard chrome) but the black Teflon has held up well in 2 years. Forgive I have to show Sam's beautiful 9" Nail with the only picture I have of the $50+- Outcast. BTW the Santoprene handles are exactly like on those Taurus magnum revolvers and seem to work very well, go figure!
017-1.gif
019-1.gif
:evil:
 
That last picture is so primordal I just had to show it again. It shows the geometry of the bolo knife well I think. BTW the Kershaw rides in its pretty good Kydex sheath on the roll bar on a jeep mostly.
019-1.jpg

:neener::evil::D
 
Both of those are really nice, Gordon. I agree with "primordial".

What's the origin of the name "The Nail" for that bottom one, and its story. I've ready bits and pieces, but not all of it.

And that's a nice point about the Santoprene handles having something in common with revolvers; must be a reason for that. The Outcast is an interesting blade for sure, even if still just a bit too 'kukri' for me. Again, nothing against Kukri's at all. I know several of you really like them. But I guess because of my early experience (as a teen) with large blades with a straight axis, the kukri didn't work as well for me. (I borrowed a colleague's Kabar kukri about three years ago for a trial run.) So, I'm still leaning towards a more traditional design for this knife/machete.

PS by edit: A few minutes ago, I checked on the Outcast; they appear to be not available right now (?). I've checked about 4 sites, and all say "sold out" or "not available" or "out of stock".

And actually, I think I've made a decision. It clicked for me last night, but I'm going to think about it for a while longer before announcing what it is. Hell, I may even go ahead and order it before I announce it here so you guys won't talk me out of it and make me continue deliberations. :uhoh: :D

I love this discussion process - I always learn soo much doing threads like this - but my first camping trip (in almost two years!) is coming up in mid-month in some rugged wilderness north of here (you can't even know how excited I am) and I want to take this knife then.
 
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I wish your budget was a little higher, I think you'd love the Bark River Golok. I just ordered a second one as a gift for my son.
 
Every time I go to that web site, I'm reaching for my debit card. My personal thought is... IF I spent that much money on a a BR golok, would I be willing to use it for its intended purpose? Not sure which point design I would like best.

Nem, sorry for deviating from your topic a bit. Clearly these are not within your present budget target.
 
22 (and Tully), no problem with me at all. Those Bark River are out of my price range (unfortunately; wow, them's purdy!), but it's good to see what blades are in 'that next' price bracket up (or in this case, maybe two brackets). Something useful in that for me in terms of evaluating what I'm going to get.
 
Delta, got any links? I searched "Tramontina machete" and "Tramontina knife", but didn't find anything quickly.
 
Cool. Danke.

But I'll leave the shortening to those with metal working skills. :)

Looks like a nice blade, though.
 
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