Condor Kumunga, Rodan, etc

cramsey3006

cramsey3006

Joined
Aug 2, 2010
Messages
2,129
I know there are guys on there with these blades... Can someone post some thoughts or reviews about beating on these knives, some 1st hand experience? Of course, we need pictures too. There isn't any really detailed threads about the knives, just tidbits posted here and there. Also interested in any of the other camp knives and neck knives from Condor. Thanks!!
 
Looks like your thread needs a little love! I had one for a minute. In short, I thought it chopped very well for it's size/weight and price. Seemed to start slow and then ended up being only a few steps behind my Battle Rat. Batoning, she was weak. Handle transmitted more shock than Res C and fit and finish needed a little help. The lanyard hole rubbed my skin raw, but a little sanding could help. Came very, very sharp and the sheath was nice too.

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I own both the Kumunga and the Rodan and have beaten the snot out of both. I've been using a Rodan since they first came out and it's really gotten kicked around without any problems. The thing cuts like a Mora but can pry and baton well too. The Kumunga is a great chopper for the size, and I carry it whenever I might need a chopper (if I know I'll need one I grab one of my larger Condor machetes) or if I need to go light and fast. Likewise it makes a great camp knife, and I've had no trouble batoning it either. Unlike rpn above me, I've had no trouble with shock transference. Also the lanyard tube on mine was properly seated and didn't cause irritation. Fit/finish isn't up to the standard in El Salvador as it is in the 'states but Condor has a great warranty so if you have any problems with any of their handiwork just drop them a line.

Unfortunately I don't have any really good action shots of either model--just some stills. Here's the best I have.

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I have a Rodan and have posted comments on the knife several times.

At first I didn't really like it because I couldn't get it as sharp as I thought it could be. Also, in my opinion, the handle was too long for the blade length and the balance was not right,

I managed to get a decent edge but I still think the knife handle is too large for the blade length and so the Rodan is not one of my favorites.

I do not have any issues with the quality or the sturdiness of the knife at all. I think it could take on a Buick and hold its own. I even think the sheath is not bad for a knife of this price.

Having said all this against the Rodan, there is a part of me that wants the Kumunga because I think that blade length would be more what I am looking for.

I think the blade width is about 3/16" at the thickest part.
 
I find the handle length on the Rodan is handy for if you want to force the blade into chopping (it's not a chopper) by grasping with your pinky off the end of the handle. It sets the mass just forward enough to make it bite pretty deep into green targets. :)
 
[youtube]9iNWULVsue4[/youtube]

If it helps, then it helps :)
 
Outstanding! That's what I was talking about. It'll be on the short list now. :thumbup:

Anything brewing for the Hudson Bay? :D

Thanks for posting that sir!
 
Great vid' Joezilla! I may have to get a Rodan and maybe even a Kumunga by the looks of things... Am I right to think they have a limited lifetime warranty?
 
:D I have the Rodan and it's ok. My only complaint is that the handle is like a baseball bat. Other than that, its pretty good.:D
 
I had a Kumunga for a short time - nothing wrong with it, I got it to have a decent chopper until my pre-order Junglas showed - then the Junglas shipped a day later.
in a head to head chopping comparison, the lighter weight of the Kumunga counted against it. When batonning, it did fine.
Value for price is very good, although I was not overly impressed with the handle.
OTOH< I'm very interested in the Hudson Bay pattern knife -- I really like the wood handles on a couple of Condor's other offerings. (Golok & Parang)
 
Call me a weirdo (you won't be the first, trust me) but I like the handle. I even have tiny girly-sized hands (really--I take a lady's size 8 glove) and it's comfortable for me. Everyone has different tastes though. :) I've never had any problems with hot spots, hand fatigue, or indexing, in spite of the handle being on the stocky side. If anything it aids in comfort when cutting resistant materials, like when whittling.

The Hudson Bay is a sweet piece of work too, and falls sort of halfway between the Rodan and Kumunga in size. Can't wait to see what the new hammered finish looks like on them for 2011. :cool:
 
I like the lean look of the Kumunga better than the stubbier Hudsons Bay--seems a better compromise between a machete and a chopper. But, it looks to me like the Kumunga's plastic handle would just break away if i tried to drive it in from the butt end. The Hudson's tang is visible in the handle so I feel a bit better there. Anyone have experience on this?
 
Joezilla tried removing one of the polypropylene handles from one of his Condor Outback machetes at one point. He had to use a hacksaw and cold chisels to do it, and even then it was no walk in the park. He's got a video on youtube of the handle being repeatedly smacked full-force with a sledge hammer and it holds up just fine. I trust the polypropylene more than the wooden handled models, even if they aren't as pretty. :cool:
 
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