Bolo question, not HI related

It's a helluva deal for $30. It's more in line for machete work. Pretty lively in the hand. It's a working villager, not a wallhanger. If you're looking for a better machete I'd get a Reflections Of Asia bolo before a Martindale. I've got a couple of those, too, and the bolo is better.

Frank
 
SilverFoxKnows said:
It's a helluva deal for $30. It's more in line for machete work. Pretty lively in the hand. It's a working villager, not a wallhanger. If you're looking for a better machete I'd get a Reflections Of Asia bolo before a Martindale. I've got a couple of those, too, and the bolo is better.

Frank
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What is the overall length of your 15" Batangas? I'm trying to decide between the 15" and the 18".
 
Rich, I gave my dad the 15" bladed batangas about 6 mos ago. IIRC the handle is about 5-6", and it came with a brass finger guard. The larger bolo only has a bolster. Besides length, the larger bolo is pointier and made of quite a bit thicker stock.
 
I have one each of style 2 and 3. I find myself using 3 (round tip) a lot more. It's much lighter, and since I don't use it to chop wood (got LOTS of HI stuff for THAT!), that's a big advantage. Plus, the pinky groove of style 2 tends to squash my fingers, partly because the blade is pretty heavy, and pulls forward when chopping.

The think that really bugged me about them is that they have 'MADE IN THE PHILIPPINES' stamped in large letters on the side. I'm going to call them and see if they've got a style 1 or Batangos without the 'tourist engraving'.

Good company to deal with.
 
I know it's not a bolo, but I've got a Valiant Trading Company survival golok (large) that might fit the bill for the kind of work you want to do, and it'll do light chopping too if you need to (I took apart some maple limbs with mine this past summer). I think they've got the most comfortable handles I've ever used.
 
I replied to you at the orignal thread Rich.

I've got the #1 and #3 and love them. Very villager though. Did some sanding.

Both comparable to the Valiant Survival Golok as stated above.
 
I just ordered their Batongas Style 4 18" Blade and their Jungle knife. Thanks for the info you provided.

I just have to pick up a Spyderco folder I want and then I'll circle back to HI for some more khukuris.
 
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