Condor Golok Revisited

[Horn Dog]

I used my Condor Golok today to chop up some dead limbs and brush for burning. I decided to compare its chopping performance with my thinner Condor Puerto Rican machete of about the same size.

The PR machete is much thinner (about 2.2 mm) and made of 420HC steel. But it is a heck of a chopper, going through some hard wood in just 10 chops. Last year in my big chop off, it even beat my Busse FFBM (before I full convexed the edge).

The Golok did about the same in 11 chops. The golok is much more comfortable to chop with, but performance wise, its about the same. It's the handle that makes it so much better for chopping.

The thicker blade and heavier weight did not seem to make a difference.

The golok will fit it the PR sheath, but I have an old Martindale machete sheath to carry it in that works fine.

All this makes me wonder how a thinner golok in Condor's 420HC would perform. I think it would do fine, based on my use today. And it doesn't rust. I realize that many on this forum prefer the 1070 carbon steel, but I have had nothing but good performance from their 420HC.

 

[mneedham]

HD,

Great stuff! How does the Condor golok compare to the Bark River golok in your estimation?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

The taper is primarily to prevent uncomfortable and energy-sapping whippiness I believe. This is a slight problem with my Viking machete, but I just love the reach of the damn thing. One HELL off a chopper.

 

[Horn Dog]

HD,

Great stuff! How does the Condor golok compare to the Bark River golok in your estimation?

The Bark River is lighter and shorter, but handles better to me. And that full convex grind means it chops better than any 11" blade has a right to. The Barkie is much nicer, but for the money, the Condor is hard to beat.

 

[Joezilla]

It probably wouldn't be hard to fully convex it on your own. However, the BRKT golok should feel much better, with micarta handles and at the price that one pays for it! However, I'm glad that you found the handle to be comfortable on this lil golok. A light version is in the works, in the future, but it all depends on how much everyone likes this one. Your picture with the puerto rico machete sheath is interesting too!

 

[Horn Dog]

I am glad I got the Condor golok. It is a great yard tool. I love that handle. It's the kind of knife I can use all day. Well, almost all day. The high heat and humidity got to me today. What a dumb day for me to build a fire!

 

[Joezilla]

Have you tried to use the back to strike a ferro rod yet?

 

[Horn Dog]

Have you tried to use the back to strike a ferro rod yet?

No, I used kitchen matches and charcoal lighter today. My ferro rods have strikers attached. I used the back of my Bravo-2 with it once and it made a mess of the spine.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

You've got an awesome yard, HD.

 

[Horn Dog]

You've got an awesome yard, HD.

The older I get and the hotter it gets, the more awesome it feels, River Rat. BTW, as a teen in Port Royal, SC, I was a member of the Port Royal River Rats, a fine social group.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

The older I get and the hotter it gets, the more awesome it feels, River Rat. BTW, as a teen in Port Royal, SC, I was a member of the Port Royal River Rats, a fine social group.

:thumbup:I didn't know such a group existed, but I'm sure the world, or at least Port Royal, is a better place because of them. We are, in a sense, related.

 

[TheGame]

I love the new Condors. Definitely on my list of to get items. I just need to remember that when I make my next purchase in 1-2 weeks.