Fox Parang XL, the bad son

M

martineden

Joined
Jun 26, 2007
Messages
621
There are “good sons” and “bad sons”. The Fox Parang XL was a “bad son”. At the beginning, because of a worst grind on several knives, several Parang XL were fragile, and several customers were disappointed. More, the handle’s scales were uncomfortable for few customers. You know, the beginning of a product is like the “first look” of a girl, could be a sentence of death in some cases :-) For example, take a look at the reviews on Heinnie Heynes http://www.heinnie.com/Parang-XL/p-0-0-5658/ who would buy this knife anymore, for the love of God?

Well, that said, I know the Parang XL was a good project at the time and is a good “machete” now: Fox changed the worst grind immediately after the bad experience


and now the Parang XL has a new handle too (below on the pic)


So let’s get a try, the weather is perfect


The Fox Parang XL handled


First, cutting down a tree (diameter 9 cm – note: that tree was fated to be downed)




Now, cutting a segment f 1 meter, and I use the Parang XL at two hands, to eliminate the bark

The cutting efficiency is quite great, and the new handle is comfortable. Please note that the thickness of the blade is just 3 mm, so you need to use the Parang XL as a cutting tool not as a sharpened bar, I mean is not a Busse or similar.

Now, using the spine of the blade to scrap the wood, to obtain shavings



Finally, clumping the knife whit my foot, and using the firesteel on the blade’s spine , to ignite shavings



Here a footage of the trials
http://youtu.be/toxuAtSaqpU


The Parang XL at the belt


Conclusions: the Parang XL is now a good machete. I wanted for a big knife to be used on the temperate forest too, but not a 1 kg of steel to be carried, and I guess the goal is now achieved. I repeat this is not a “sharpened prybar”, I mean if you are looking to a knife to be used without care on the woods, this is not. You need to use the Parang XL remembering is a big knife with a thin blade. More, it’s obviously not an “all-around” knife, you need to carry also a multitool or a small knife for small jobs in the woods. If you contrarily are looking for a great cutter, to clean a track or for the tasks as I showed above, the Parang XL might be the knife for you.

Ciao,
Alfredo
 
It looks great, but frankly, I cannot understand the steel selection for what looks like, and is sold as, a chopping tool.
 
Very interesting! I actually hadn't paid much attention to this one. :)
 
Thomas Linton said:
It looks great, but frankly, I cannot understand the steel selection for what looks like, and is sold as, a chopping tool.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I respect your point of view, anyway I tried up a bunch of knives big and small and now I didn't pay so much attention to the steel used. For me, it's more important the blade shape, geometries, handle, grind. A 440C properly tempered is good enough for me :-)
 
Good review, been wondering about this knife. Looks like it performs well. I know Fox mostly runs stainless steels (in this case 440c right?) but I wish this was made from some type of high carbon. I've really been avoiding stainless in fixed blades lately.
 
Nice to see Fox getting a little recognition. Knew about and started appreciating (aka buying) them a couple years agon. Just recently found a store carrying them in stock. Great brand imho.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Is there a different model number to help insure one gets the revised version?

The picture on the Fox site shows the original model: http://www.foxknivesusa.com/en/product/2426/fx-687_parang_xl.html

I cannot find a vendor showing the new model.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I don't know if the number will be different on the model whit the new handle.
I'm a tester for the new Fox's models, so I receive the new knives before they will be released. I guess you will find the new Parang XL on the next few weeks on the shops.
 
Nice review.
I hadn't really looked at this one either.

It must be really tough to be a new model tester for Fox :D
If you ever get tired of that job just let me know.;)
 
Great pics - just a few questions:

1. What's the handle material? Do the handle "ribs" make it uncomfortable without gloves?
2. Where is the balance point?

Thanks!
 
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