BRKT, Condor, Hopkinson Goloks Compared

It works for me, moon. As you can see, I actually get to use choppers here.
Goloks027.jpg
 
Vic:

Despite your prediction, the Condor didn’t run away with the contest. I’m as surprised as you are. I know my Barkie Golok is a great tool, but I expected to be outclassed.

I still want to get one of the Condor Goloks.
 
I think that a lot of it has to do with differences in design. The fact that the larger and heavier Condor was able to perform equal to the BRKT (generally regarded as having more hand work from the factory--and I'd hope so given the price!) in all of the initial tasks is still very good indeed, but where we really saw it come into its own was when tackling the heavier materials. It seems to offer similar performance to the more expensive Barkie, but with the addition of greater versatility in terms of suitable environments and targets. Never underestimate that, since you never know what you might need to cut! :)
 
Great review! I'm happy to see that you are so pleased with it!

The Goloks are not in production yet, but soon, soon soon!!!
 
As much as I love my Bark River golok, I am very happy with the Condor. They are different. In fact, all three of these goloks have a different feel. The Bark River is fast and light in the hand. It is small and compact, and performs about as well as the larger and heavier Condor. But the Condor takes on the bigger jobs with ease and has more reach. The well designed handle makes the Condor my first choice for heavy chopping, yet it is still fast enough to use for clearing, as you would a machete. The Hopkinson would make a great camp chopper or cleaver. It lacks the versatility of the other two goloks, being slow and very blade heavy for its size. It can slash the lighter vegetation, but not without a lot more effort than the other two. In straight up chopping, all three performed pretty close. In bang for the buck, I'd have to say that the Condor seems to be the best buy. I just wish it came with a nice sheath like my Condor machetes did.
 
Joezilla said:
Great review! I'm happy to see that you are so pleased with it!

The Goloks are not in production yet, but soon, soon soon!!!
Click to expand...

If you can, Joe, persuade somebody at Condor to make an optional sheath available. That is about the only suggestion I have. The golok itself is just fine, and I wouldn't change it at all.
 
Great comparision test Horn Dog! I have the Bark River and Hopkinson (mine is a Sheffield...is that the same??)...I need to do a similar test if/when I get the Condor; plus I could throw in the Martindale and Valiant as well.

I agree about the Hopkinson being heavier and I would have though that to be the better chopper; that convex grind makes a big difference!

ROCK6
 
Thanks for the review! I was just looking at the Condor last night and thinking that I might need one. Definitely going to order one now...
 
It would add cost and throw off the balance if the blade wasn't extended but I sure wish Condor had brought out that handle to a full tang. Very high on "cool" factor and looks to be good value for the price.

Hope the Condor gets into the market in time to see some summer travels.
 
ROCK6 said:
Great comparision test Horn Dog! I have the Bark River and Hopkinson (mine is a Sheffield...is that the same??)...I need to do a similar test if/when I get the Condor; plus I could throw in the Martindale and Valiant as well.

I agree about the Hopkinson being heavier and I would have though that to be the better chopper; that convex grind makes a big difference!

ROCK6
Click to expand...

Mine is made in Sheffield as well. I'd love to see how the Martindale and Valiant compare. I'm sure the convex edge I put on the Hopkinson made it a much better chopper.

Goloks023.jpg
 
I have two Martindale's. The golok and the jungle knife. They are very similar to Tramontinas in that the handles and rough fitting and the grinds and thick and uneven or even missing in some parts. The golok is 1/4 in thick and soft enough to file if needed. The factory "edge" prevented it from excelling at any tasks but after I put a deep convex on it, it cuts great on medium vegetation. The main problem I have with the Martindale is that its so soft that an edge thin enough to cut efficiently is easily rolled with only a couple chops into seasoned wood. I use it for yard work but I have to sharpen it after every session, which gets to be a pain. I like my Martindale machetes but I wouldn't recommend the golok, especially when the Condor golok will be out soon.
 
Since my Hopkinson has soft steel as well, I have to think that the British MOD specified softer steel for ease of sharpening in the field. I know the Sheffield steel can take a much harder temper from previous experience with British blades. Like you, I prefer a little better edge retention. The Condor edge seems to hold up pretty well. It was still plenty sharp after cutting down that tree.
 
I'd also love to see how the Martindale golok compares to the Brkt and condor. I recently bought a martindale and was quite unimpressed with it even after a minor edge repofilling.
 
Great stuff Vic.

If you had to pack one for an extended stay in the wilds, what is your choice?
 
Thank you, Horn Dog.

I really enjoy reading your reviews. I always learn something useful.

As for goloks, "all" I have is a BRKT. It's enough golok for Virginia; when I really need to get serious I have larger choppers that can take up the slack.:thumbup:
 
TwinBlade said:
Great stuff Vic.

If you had to pack one for an extended stay in the wilds, what is your choice?
Click to expand...

At my age, I hope to avoid such a situation, but if I had to pick one, it would be the big one, the Condor. That said, any of these goloks would be up to the task. Whether or not I am up to it is another matter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top