Condor Parang Proto Passaround-closed

That handle looks really great, but why isn't it a full tang? I'm assuming for balance?

Also, why does the edge start so high up? It'll be hard to do any fine work with this.

Regardless, I want one real bad!
 
kage said:
That handle looks really great, but why isn't it a full tang? I'm assuming for balance?

Also, why does the edge start so high up? It'll be hard to do any fine work with this.

Regardless, I want one real bad!
Click to expand...

It is close to a full tang. I don't think the handle is going anywhere. That's just the way traditional golok and parang handles look, I guess. It feels great in the hand. This is the prototype. The production model edge starts nearer the handle.
 
I had a few chances to use the Parang. I dealt with the low hanging limbs on the trees in the back yard that had been annoying during mowing. I also was able to cut down some larger limbs that came down in a thunderstorm with the Parang and it worked well. I tried to do a fuzz stick with the Parang, but I was not very successful. I see the changes between the prototype and the production model in Joezilla's first post of this thread so that takes care of my only suggestion.

The Parang is an excellent tool that is very different than any of my machetes. The handle was more like an ax handle which worked really well especially compared to my Cold Steel Bolo machete. The overall weight seemed greater than even my substantially longer Martindales. My usage did not seem to degrade the edge. When finances permit and this tool is available, I plan to get one.

Great product, and thanks again to Joezilla for the chance to try it out and for Horn Dog putting the sweet edge on the tool before sending it on to me. I have the Parang packed up and ready to ship out. I do not have a shipping route or list so could Joezilla or the next pass member drop me a PM or email so I can move this one along?

Thanks again!

Doug
 
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this pass will not ship until Wednesday due to my previously mentioned hiking trip. Sorry for the delay folks. I'll check back in on Wednesday.
 
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No harm no foul chapman. Send it when you can...
 
That looks like a great blade. I've been favorably impressed with the Condor products I've handled so far.

It seriously needs a straight drop sheath and the narrow blade profile lends itself to one easily. The split top with snaps type sheath is a real drawback when you have to have the blade in and out all day in dense bush. Mac
 
Just checking back in on this tread, and the tracking says the shipment was delivered on 7/2/2010. Any confirmation from the next lucky pass participant.
 
I got an email from BennyJenkins yesterday asking for my info so he could ship it my way.
I'm stoked!
Don't worry, it'll get plenty of workout next weekend & I'll post on my results.
 
I Just got done with a side by side test of the prototype and the production model. I tried each on hard dead wood, green wood, and some gnarly himalayan blackberries. In each test, the prototype came out the winner. The production model lacks the distal taper of the protoype and is not as well balanced. Its actually a less efficient chopper dispite the added weight. I can see how the production model would be cheaper to produce, but I think Condor would do better to spend the money, taper the spines and pass the cost along if need be. I also like the way the edge starts further up the blade on the prototype. It allows you to choke up for very precise chopping. In fact, I liked it so much, I tried to copy it onto my production model (used a rasp to dull down the first two inches of blade edge and wrapped in cord) It's a bit of a let-down knowing that the prototype is better than the model for sale. Perhaps with enough comments, Condor will see fit to make an update.
 
Hey guys, hows this one going?

Joe: Im probably going to have to change my address from the origonal one I sent you, as Im going away to college. Ill send you (or whoever I am supposed to) when the time comes.

I go back Aug 17th.
 
Ok, I've had the parang for a little over a week.
I'm in love with this thing.
it cuts weeds, tall grass, trims branches, chops down trees, and after all that was still sharp enough to bite me when I was cleaning sap off the blade. (not bad - just a nip to let me know it wasn't done playing)

sorry - no pics yet, the wife had the camera.
I did some side by side testing with a Condor kukri and a Condor Golok.
All 3 are great.
The golok with it's thinner profile cuts grass better, but not thicker branches.
The kukri kept up, but the extra length of the Parang was king when it came time to trim branches on honey locust. (tree with serious teeth!)

2.5" saplings came down in 2 swings - hinging on a pencil sized bit at the back side of the cut in a deep "V".
6" + tree that was growing up through the middle of a mulberry was a challenge, but it still came down in about 15 minutes. (yes, this would have been a better task for an axe - if I had room for a 2 handed swing)
The "whick" noise the parang makes as it whips past on the way to snick off another branch is awesome.

The pistol grip handle left no hot spots.
The blade held its edge well, I will not be touching it up any. There was a tiny nick in the blade right around the sweet spot when I got it - that's still there, and I don't see any signs of a stress riser crack. It also didn't slow the parang down any while i was putting it through it's paces.
If I can pry the camera away from SWMBO when I get back to town, I'll take some after action shots to show some of what it did in my pasture.

I also mashed up some .093 kydex to replace the tactical cardboard it arrived in - held together with some contact cement and homemade staples, but at least it'll belt carry now - after I put the parang through the tactical cardboard sheath it showed up in (twice), I decided it needed a more sturdy carry method.

As soon as I get a shipping addy from the next in line, it'll be on its way.
 
Got a reply - next in line can't participate right now, so it's William M's turn - drop me a PM with an addy and I'll get this out tomorrow or Tuesday.
 
Got it today

will test this weekend

handle seems very comfortable

photos of test will be posted as well

Dr.Bill
 
dang, is that blade among this stack on your table Joe?
blades.jpg
 
Took it out Thursday and tested it with 2 Students of mine in my back yard and Knife testing station(Yes I have a shed I use for knife testing and Knife drills)

We all LOVED this sucker...

We tested it on Trees,Milk Jugs,Boxes.

Comfortable--Easy to control-Chops better than expected(thanks Horn Dog)

Going to test it this weekend too

Robert is 6'4" to get a size comparison of the Parong

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AWESOME TESTING! I hope you guys had as much fun as it looked! I thought that was a different Parang until I saw the height on the first gentleman.
 
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