Condor Axes: any reviews?

I have several knives Puma,Scrap yard,Case,Great Eastern,Spyderco,Cold Steel (most are carbon v),kershaw ,Bark river,Queen,Buck,Bench made,Becker,Marbles,old US Shade,Ontario,Esee,and several custom knives.I probably own too many but guns ,knives ,hunting and fishing that's my thing.I how ever on my last 3 purchases (parang,bush lore and one bushlore with micarta and there is a lot of criticism on them but I love them like they are)have chosen Condor.I owned only one until recently wich was the golok.I have fell in love with this company.They offer a great product for a great price.I intend to buy a few more when the 2011models come out.As for Joe I don't know the guy .I did however watch him on you tube being critical of some past Condor products.I believe the guy is enthusiastic about the new stuff and is simply displaying that.I feel everyone has a right to his or her opinion.Me ...well I'm a Condor fan,and while I'm waiting on my high priced ,back ordered Bravo 1 to arrive I'm going to keep petting on my my very accessible maybe not as refined but very useful and fairly priced Condors. I enjoy their products and their attempts to make them better.Have a nice day.
 
coloradowildman said:
I think some of you folks need to look up the definition of "conflict of interest", seriously. I'm not being condescending, but I think some people here don't fully understand what that means.

As for Joe designing vs directly employed is meaningless if one gets payed by the company they're promoting.

And as for Joe commenting that he's "completely biased", it should be "I'm completely biased because I design these axes for Condor" which lets everyone know why he's biased. I own a Wetterlings so I am "biased", but that's a big difference from if I got payed by Wetterlings to do anything.

I'm sorry folks, but if ANY company was marketing their products here without full disclosure I would say the same thing. Yes, I am especially harsh on Condor because aside from not disclosing who they are here (new people have no idea who they are) they are also breaking the time honored tradition of making a high quality product FIRST and then marketing it or letting word of mouth do the marketing. They are marketing unfinished and untested products here to people who's money is very hard earned nowadays, essentially using them as guinea pigs while making a profit off of them. I consider it unethical and rather immoral and if certain folks here don't like me because of what I say about it then so be it.

I'm definitely not in the popularity club here, so I doubt any of this will hurt my standing anyway, but I know what's right and what's wrong, and regardless of what others think, I think it's wrong what's going on here. That's my 2 cents
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Condor has a great reputation around here and that doesn't come easy. They have a solid reputation for building quality tools for amazing deals. I doubt you have ever owned a condor product so that doesn't jsutify your beef.
 
I have never seem or heard Joe try to dupe someone out of their hard earned money. He has always been upfront about his dealings with Condor. Additionally Condor to me has always been a value brand company. The fit and finish of the products that come out are a little ruff but that is why most blades are $30.00 and under. You don't buy a cheap car and expect it to be perfect. Hell as i sit here typing this I have my 2nd Condor (Bushcraft 2") in front of me cleaning it up some and putting a better edge on it. This was the same for my first, a Rodan, I had to do some cleaning of the grinds and some edge work on it but now its great. That is why I bought them both knives cost me less than $40.00 and are for my B.O.B that stays in my trunk, and if anything happened to them like they got stolen from my car it is no great loss.

I also plan on purchasing (soon) a Codor Golok and at least on of their axes (the Swedish) because I am so happy with their products so far.

coloradowildTROLL if you have a personal beef with Condor or Joe be a man and take it up with them personally instead of trying to trash them on an internet forum making yourself look like an idiot. Also maybe if you would stop falling asleep in your mommies basement to episodes of the X-Files you wouldn't see conspiracies everywhere.
 
Let's take this down a couple of notches like adults. The points can be easily made and taken much more seriously without the personal insults.

Those need to stop now.
 
Met Joe a few years back before he was associated with Condor. He is good people & I am happy to see a fellow knife-nut get to have input on designs from a knife company.

While I'd really like to get a GB Mini Belt Hatchet I just can't justify the cost right now when I have a GB Wildlife Hatchet. Condor bringing out a small hatchet gives me an inexpensive alternative to check out & see how I like the size.

Now unless Joe has gained mind control powers, I'll still be the one making the final decision. Hearing his feedback here on the product does help in my decision making but some of Joe's designs are just not to my liking.

I think some of the reason for all the Condor threads is because they offer an inexpensive alternative product. The fact that it is known that someone associated with the company participates in this forum might add to that also. Personally I think it is just fine for someone associated with a company mentioned in a post to chime in on it. Of course I am not a moderator.

Mostly I just lurk here, but I can't recall any threads where someone got in trouble for talking up their product or one they are associated with. Last one I really recall was associated with Mantis knives. Tried looking through your post history to see what got you upset, but mostly it was stuff related to "For Sale" and some Axe/Large Campknife/Mora stuff.

Guess I am just saying lighten up.

Typed up while Bastid posted - message received.
 
Bastid said:
Let's take this down a couple of notches like adults. The points can be easily made and taken much more seriously without the personal insults.

Those need to stop now.
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Sorry, guess I spend too much time over at ESEE where we call people out on what they say, and don't pull any punches doing so.
 
coloradowildman said:
I think some of you folks need to look up the definition of "conflict of interest", seriously. I'm not being condescending, but I think some people here don't fully understand what that means.

As for Joe designing vs directly employed is meaningless if one gets payed by the company they're promoting.

And as for Joe commenting that he's "completely biased", it should be "I'm completely biased because I design these axes for Condor" which lets everyone know why he's biased. I own a Wetterlings so I am "biased", but that's a big difference from if I got payed by Wetterlings to do anything.

I'm sorry folks, but if ANY company was marketing their products here without full disclosure I would say the same thing. Yes, I am especially harsh on Condor because aside from not disclosing who they are here (new people have no idea who they are) they are also breaking the time honored tradition of making a high quality product FIRST and then marketing it or letting word of mouth do the marketing. They are marketing unfinished and untested products here to people who's money is very hard earned nowadays, essentially using them as guinea pigs while making a profit off of them. I consider it unethical and rather immoral and if certain folks here don't like me because of what I say about it then so be it.

I'm definitely not in the popularity club here, so I doubt any of this will hurt my standing anyway, but I know what's right and what's wrong, and regardless of what others think, I think it's wrong what's going on here. That's my 2 cents
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What the hell are you talking about? A big bonus to most of us here is the ability to hear directly from company reps about our questions and their products. Do you get mad when Chris Reeve answers questions about a Sebenza? Of course not. It's what he's here to do.

On a personal note, you're way off base about Joe. He's a good guy who -seriously- loves edged tools and the outdoors. He's not here to make money or promote a junk product. If he tells you he believes in something, it's the truth. His word is good with me, anyways.
 
Bare Rib said:
coloradowildTROLL
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That's is the issue people are bringing up. He is entitled to his opinion, which he stated he was presenting. Just like you-BR Name calling is not nessesary.

Condor is making huge efforts to produce good products for great prices. They succeed and with Joe's imput they are keeping up with industry desires. Only downside to condor is that they are not an American Company. I like to buy USA, but will buy others. I would encourage Joe to recommend they take the 1055 in the axe up to 56-57RC. IMO 50 is too low. But as a stated opinion he is welcome to dismiss it. And I'm sure he will.
 
I am curious about the Thunder bay hatchet.I was thinking about it for a Nessmuk-style set up.How does the stainless head hold up to use?
 
savagesicslayer said:
I am curious about the Thunder bay hatchet.I was thinking about it for a Nessmuk-style set up.How does the stainless head hold up to use?
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I don't have experience with that piece in particular, but folks I know who do seem pleased enough with it. If the heat treatment is as good as they put on the stainless machetes (which I have plenty of experience with) then it ought to be quite good, all things considered. :)
 
coloradowildman--how about addressing the points I and others have made rather than insulting folks. It might help your case rather than hurt it. ;)
 
Hoodcanal5 said:
Condor has a great reputation around here and that doesn't come easy. They have a solid reputation for building quality tools for amazing deals. I doubt you have ever owned a condor product so that doesn't jsutify your beef.
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"Great reputation", that's not what gets posted by forum members not associated with or selling Condor products mate, with the exception of maybe the machetes, which Condor seems to do a reasonable job on. I'm sure I'll get plenty of flack from pulling open the curtain of Oz and all his affiliates around here, so I'm not suprised to hear these responses.

As for not using Condor products, yes, I don't use Condor products because there is a big box store that I visit sometimes and it is full of Condor products, and after looking at the quality of the axes and knives I don't care to own one at present. $60.00 for a Condor axe that's not even up to the standards of a cheap foreign made hardware axe is pretty bad if you ask me (and I've looked at 8 of them so far). $35.00 "bushcraft" knives with a fit and finish and grind that's pretty bad and far inferior to a $10 Swedish Mora. Growing up, my daddy would have said "money making scam" about this sort of hype, price, and low quality. Let Condor earn it's respect like everybody else- make a quality product first, build your reputation, and let the world be the judge instead of convincing everyone in the forums how great your product is. You can scold and insult me (I'm now told I'm "raging" for posting this, give me a break) or Condor can get its sh*** together make a good product a truly reasonable price, and $60 for an axe ain't reasonable unless it's the quality and sharpness of a Wetterlings or Council Tool.
 
coloradowildman said:
"Great reputation", that's not what gets posted by forum members not associated with or selling Condor products mate, with the exception of maybe the machetes, which Condor seems to do a reasonable job on.

As for not using Condor products, yes, I don't use Condor products because there is a big box store that I visit sometimes and it is full of Condor products, and after looking at the quality of the axes and knives I don't care to own one at present.
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The machetes are their only product I have experience with, and they are good. It surprises me that they'd do a poor job on the axes, but not all companies do as great a job on all their products, that's true.

Just a question though: I understand that fit/finish can be seen by looking at the product, but how would you be able to discern edge retention, or shock resistance and such things without trying it out at least a bit?
 
coloradowildman said:
"Great reputation", that's not what gets posted by forum members not associated with or selling Condor products mate, with the exception of maybe the machetes, which Condor seems to do a reasonable job on. I'm sure I'll get plenty of flack from pulling open the curtain of Oz and all his affiliates around here, so I'm not suprised to hear these responses.
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Whom are all of these affiliates that you speak of? The only person I know affiliated with Condor is Joe & he has always been up front about that. I have seen plenty of positive reviews by paying customers however myself included.

coloradowildman said:
As for not using Condor products, yes, I don't use Condor products because there is a big box store that I visit sometimes and it is full of Condor products, and after looking at the quality of the axes and knives I don't care to own one at present. $60.00 for a Condor axe that's not even up to the standards of a cheap foreign made hardware axe is pretty bad if you ask me (and I've looked at 8 of them so far). $35.00 "bushcraft" knives with a fit and finish and grind that's pretty bad and far inferior to a $10 Swedish Mora. Growing up, my daddy would have said "money making scam" about this sort of hype, price, and low quality. Let Condor earn it's respect like everybody else- make a quality product first, build your reputation, and let the world be the judge instead of convincing everyone in the forums how great your product is. You can scold and insult me (I'm now told I'm "raging" for posting this, give me a break) or Condor can get its sh*** together make a good product a truly reasonable price, and $60 for an axe ain't reasonable unless it's the quality and sharpness of a Wetterlings or Council Tool.
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Hell your a lucky man if you have a "Big Box Store" that carries Condor stuff I would like to know the name of the store so I can contact them about ordering some stuff. However all of the prices you listed are high for what I've seen usually only around the mid to low 20s for knives and 40 some for an axe.

Lastly, the way you are going on about this I'm starting to think you "sir" have ulterior motives. I'm wondering maybe who you work for or are associated with. This is just seeming like a poor attempt at a smear campaign to me.
 
I would like to know if anyone has tried the Combat Axe, Combat Axe Double Bit or the TRT Tactical Rescue Tomahawk ???
 
I've played around with the Combat Tomahawk, and the handle was too small and slippery for me (and I have small hands) and the overall length was too short to seem useful. The sheath was nice though. I think the Tactical Rescue Tomahawk will be a much better piece as a whole, though. It's a new 2011 item, so no one has gotten to play with it except folks lucky enough to make it to SHOT. The 2011 stuff should start shipping out within 4-6 weeks, though, so stay tuned!
 
Okay guys, as amusing as this has been to read over the last few days, against my better judgment, I’m going to jump in here. Attacking someone’s credibility without an explanation is a rather poor way of arguing. Accusing people of being trolls or working for a competitor just because they are sticking to their point is a rather cheap move. So is using a moderator’s plea for civility to underhandedly attack someone else without addressing their point.

There are valid points on both sides here, but in the pursuit of this argument, both sides have lost sight of reality.

Most of us know that Joe is an honest guy, who has been part of the community (this forum and others) for a long time. He is always up front about his dealings and is always ready to help. I have no reason to question his motives.

On the other hand however, at this point it is not truthful to say that Condor has a good reputation. A simple search of few of the forums will reveal numerous threads full of complaints about their products. I personally have two of their knives, and both of them have grinds so misaligned as to render them unusable. They each cost me $30. If interested, you can see my review of the knives here and here.

That however also doesn’t mean that the 2011 products will not be better. From what I have seen so far, the company has made a great effort to correct their errors and put out good products. Only an actual look will show if the quality has improved. I can’t wait until I can get my hands on one of their new axes.

http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/
 
I would say that they DO have an overall good reputation, just with a caveat emptor thrown in. You have a decent chance of getting a low cost, high value item, especially if you're willing to put a little elbow grease into it. That being said, you also run the risk of getting a lemon, and that chance is higher than with other companies. Fortunately if you do end up with one you'll be well taken care of by their CS department, but it still is an extra step in the process that most would prefer to avoid.
 
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