- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Messages
- 2,206
I'm starting this as a kind of Inventory of my collection as well as to give my thoughts on each knife in my collection, as well as to give comparison shots to others, this way if a member is looking for a comparison between two knives I happen to have, they can see that I have them and ask for my comparisons and contrasts of the two or at least just a comparison shot. I'll start with pictures and then move on to some short to long thoughts on each depending on how much experience I have with the particular knife.
First the Axes, Machetes, and Saws, basically anything sharp, that's not a knife.
Inventory:
Condor Bolo Machete
I've had this one for awhile, but haven't used it much. While I like the blade thickness for durability, it definitely makes it quite a bit heavier, more suited for things like saplings and thicker vines as opposed grasses/bushes. I really like the blade shape of this one, didn't come very sharp from the factory, but was easy to put an edge on. I don't really care for the handle, the plastic isn't all that grippy, if I were using this all day I'd definitely want a wrist loop, I feel because of the extra weight I would tire more, and with the extra forward weight it could potentially swing out of ones hand easier. I also got the leather condor sheath which I really like I need to order the Condor sheath for my golok as well.
Condor Golok Machete
This one I've actually gotten to use quite a bit recently on two hikes in the snow, I absolutely love the weight, balance, and especially the handle. The ball on the end of the handle makes for a very comfortable and secure grip, it also seems to make it easier to use the wrist technique to avoid fatigue your whole arm, sharp and thin enough towards the tip cut thinner grasses, but the middle will easily cut through 1.5-2in branches in one swing. Stays sharp decently well, light enough to not be tiring. This is what I keep in my woods bag most often.
Cold Steel Kukri
This came super dull and the grinded edge was painted over, took awhile to get and edge on it, haven't really used it much, may have to take it out on my next outing.
Bahco Laplander Saw
I was lucky enough to find this at a local gun shop on clearance for $9 about a year ago. I've used it quite a bit in the last week or so, cuts easily and quickly. Definitely money well spent. This is another Item I keep in my woods bag along with the golok and Bravo-1.
Sven Saw 15"
Haven't used this too much, just once car camping. One thing I do notice is that because the teeth on the Sven saw are bigger than the Bahco once it gets going it really chews through the wood fast, but it is definitely more difficult to get going and get started again when it binds, I prefer this saw for larger diameter wood, which makes me think I should have gotten the 21" instead.
Gransfors Bruks 25"
My girlfriend got this for me for Christmas last year. Goes through wood really well, came with a decently sharp edge, though it was noticeably asymmetrical, after sometime sharpening it was even and shaving sharp. Love the handle, very comfortable and ergonomic. Cuts through wood well, and not bad at splitting despite the narrower head.
Wetterlings 19"
I was very pleasantly surprised by this axe, the finish is right up there with the Gransfors, the hammer side of the head is finished unlike the Gransfors, which I like, and the finished cutting edge goes farther back, the grind was also even on this one from the factory. The handle finish is different, slightly more grippier which I don't like because it doesn't slide through your hand as you swing as well, but not enough to notice really. If I were to buy another axe in a different size say 13", I'd probably go with the Wetterlings because of the cheaper price, yet IMO equal quality to the GB, you're just giving up the 20 year warranty.
Machetes Comparison:
Axes:
First the Axes, Machetes, and Saws, basically anything sharp, that's not a knife.
Inventory:
Condor Bolo Machete
I've had this one for awhile, but haven't used it much. While I like the blade thickness for durability, it definitely makes it quite a bit heavier, more suited for things like saplings and thicker vines as opposed grasses/bushes. I really like the blade shape of this one, didn't come very sharp from the factory, but was easy to put an edge on. I don't really care for the handle, the plastic isn't all that grippy, if I were using this all day I'd definitely want a wrist loop, I feel because of the extra weight I would tire more, and with the extra forward weight it could potentially swing out of ones hand easier. I also got the leather condor sheath which I really like I need to order the Condor sheath for my golok as well.
Condor Golok Machete
This one I've actually gotten to use quite a bit recently on two hikes in the snow, I absolutely love the weight, balance, and especially the handle. The ball on the end of the handle makes for a very comfortable and secure grip, it also seems to make it easier to use the wrist technique to avoid fatigue your whole arm, sharp and thin enough towards the tip cut thinner grasses, but the middle will easily cut through 1.5-2in branches in one swing. Stays sharp decently well, light enough to not be tiring. This is what I keep in my woods bag most often.
Cold Steel Kukri
This came super dull and the grinded edge was painted over, took awhile to get and edge on it, haven't really used it much, may have to take it out on my next outing.
Bahco Laplander Saw
I was lucky enough to find this at a local gun shop on clearance for $9 about a year ago. I've used it quite a bit in the last week or so, cuts easily and quickly. Definitely money well spent. This is another Item I keep in my woods bag along with the golok and Bravo-1.
Sven Saw 15"
Haven't used this too much, just once car camping. One thing I do notice is that because the teeth on the Sven saw are bigger than the Bahco once it gets going it really chews through the wood fast, but it is definitely more difficult to get going and get started again when it binds, I prefer this saw for larger diameter wood, which makes me think I should have gotten the 21" instead.
Gransfors Bruks 25"
My girlfriend got this for me for Christmas last year. Goes through wood really well, came with a decently sharp edge, though it was noticeably asymmetrical, after sometime sharpening it was even and shaving sharp. Love the handle, very comfortable and ergonomic. Cuts through wood well, and not bad at splitting despite the narrower head.
Wetterlings 19"
I was very pleasantly surprised by this axe, the finish is right up there with the Gransfors, the hammer side of the head is finished unlike the Gransfors, which I like, and the finished cutting edge goes farther back, the grind was also even on this one from the factory. The handle finish is different, slightly more grippier which I don't like because it doesn't slide through your hand as you swing as well, but not enough to notice really. If I were to buy another axe in a different size say 13", I'd probably go with the Wetterlings because of the cheaper price, yet IMO equal quality to the GB, you're just giving up the 20 year warranty.
Machetes Comparison:
Axes:
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