- Joined
- Dec 26, 2014
- Messages
- 127
(I had no idea if this belonged in the Knife or Axe section)
I've been spending the last few days helping my buddy on his small farm because his normal employee has been home with a pretty nasty chest cold. I've been doing light chores - clearing some brush, chopping some wood, de-barking and de-limbing some logs for a little chicken coop he's building later. I was also cutting down some old, dried corn stalks just for fun.
He had me use his Condor Pack Golok. That tool performed flawlessly and was a beast. I can see why it gets all the love and praise it does in its few reviews. Not too heavy, thick, full tang, stout, slight upwardly rounded tip, wonderfully balanced, and chopped effortlessly through anything I put in its way.
I've always been a hatchet guy. Love my Estwing 24A. I'm no grand master in their usage, but I can certainly get by with one, if I had to. I've grown up in the East Coast and have never really seen a need for a parang/machete in the field. Until today. Honestly, the golok had a much better feel in my hand, during the swing, and greater ease of overall control than my hatchet. I was blown away at the sizeable logs that golok could chew into with such tenacity. It was far better than my little hatchet or small axe could ever do. Again, the versatility of the blade is really what is selling me on getting one. I could easily see myself replacing my axe/hatchet with a well made golok.
I live in Western Massachusetts and love to head out on long overnight hikes and treks. Love going to Vermont and Maine even in the middle of winter to get some sweet camping and hiking in. I was just wondering if this Pack Golok could suffice as a near one-tool option? Would the -15F weather in January-March effect the longer, thinner blade negatively? Safer to just stick with my Estwing? I would probably bring along a smaller secondary blade for finer tasks. But, that Golok just sits on my hip and in my pack just so nicely.
Love to hear some responses or reviews on the subject.
I know there are some real hand forged, beauty parang, golok, kukri, and other choppers out there. Any hand forged recommendations to look at instead?
I've been spending the last few days helping my buddy on his small farm because his normal employee has been home with a pretty nasty chest cold. I've been doing light chores - clearing some brush, chopping some wood, de-barking and de-limbing some logs for a little chicken coop he's building later. I was also cutting down some old, dried corn stalks just for fun.
He had me use his Condor Pack Golok. That tool performed flawlessly and was a beast. I can see why it gets all the love and praise it does in its few reviews. Not too heavy, thick, full tang, stout, slight upwardly rounded tip, wonderfully balanced, and chopped effortlessly through anything I put in its way.
I've always been a hatchet guy. Love my Estwing 24A. I'm no grand master in their usage, but I can certainly get by with one, if I had to. I've grown up in the East Coast and have never really seen a need for a parang/machete in the field. Until today. Honestly, the golok had a much better feel in my hand, during the swing, and greater ease of overall control than my hatchet. I was blown away at the sizeable logs that golok could chew into with such tenacity. It was far better than my little hatchet or small axe could ever do. Again, the versatility of the blade is really what is selling me on getting one. I could easily see myself replacing my axe/hatchet with a well made golok.
I live in Western Massachusetts and love to head out on long overnight hikes and treks. Love going to Vermont and Maine even in the middle of winter to get some sweet camping and hiking in. I was just wondering if this Pack Golok could suffice as a near one-tool option? Would the -15F weather in January-March effect the longer, thinner blade negatively? Safer to just stick with my Estwing? I would probably bring along a smaller secondary blade for finer tasks. But, that Golok just sits on my hip and in my pack just so nicely.
Love to hear some responses or reviews on the subject.
I know there are some real hand forged, beauty parang, golok, kukri, and other choppers out there. Any hand forged recommendations to look at instead?
