Golok with sharpened tip?

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lmalterna

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Dec 12, 2002
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I have never owned a Golok but am considering one as a large knife pairing to my smaller knives. I am looking at a 12" blade rounded tip style and have seen only one offered with a sharpened tip--would this not be an advantage?

Thanks,
2Door
 
I was thinking about this yesterday when I was handling my Bark River golok (the lack of a tip). I am going to pair it with a smaller knife.. I guess if you sharpened the tip, it wouldn't be a golok, would it? It be a fat machete? I don't know why the golok tip wasn't historically sharpened, maybe it was a safety feature or the blunt tip was used for prying or similar function. Interesting question..... I'm sure someone will enlighten us.
 
I wouldn't see a sharpened tip as an advantage. I have some other choppers in that size and I never use the tip for anything. I typically pair a large blade like the Golok with something smaller anyway, and if I'm going to be using the tip, the smaller knife is most likely what I'll be using. Just my .02 worth.
 
I was thinking one use may be as a wood chisel. Scooping out in spoon and bowl making or making a trough... but looking for someone that has tried this or other skills that the rounded sharp tip might work for. Also looking for real downsides- other than your hand slipping when using as a drawknife, I have not come up with a downside.

2Door
 
The Golok is a pure chopper. I think pairing it with a small utility blade is the best way to go.
 
psy-ops said:
The Golok is a pure chopper. I think pairing it with a small utility blade is the best way to go.
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This is essentially correct. The golok is designed to place the sweet spot as close to the end of the blade as possible, thereby maximizing chopping leverage for a given length blade.

When a longer blade (11"+) has a well defined point it is almost always intended for use as a weapon. The Philippine Pinute and Barong are good examples. I would always carry a small utility blade with a large blade whether the large blade had a point or not. The small utility blade is superior for smaller tasks requiring greater precision.
 
Goloks are also used for light digging in a pinch. The non-sharpened end holds up well to such heavy use. Kinda like a narrow shovel or spade.
 
Yep. I reckon the wide flat tip adds more weight where it counts, and it makes it a better digger and pry-bar. It might also make it a bit safer to carry and use. Just my thoughts.... Coote.
 
lmalterna said:
I was thinking one use may be as a wood chisel.
Click to expand...
Potentially dangerous and not too practical.
When using a chisel, you use it by striking the butt, you want it as short as possible to avoid flexing, slipping... Which should be even more avoided when one side of the tool is sharpened.

On a more general note, I've always been a bit dubious about tip on large blades. The only use I can think of is thrusting weapon, to finish game or for self defense purpose (against animals or anything else).

All other tasks are better done with a short pointy tool.
Actually, I'm thinking of packing a dedicated wood chisel or a kiradashi for all jobs that require pounding pommel, because I'm not comfortable thinking when I use a baton, I could miss it, strike hand and slip on blade, particularly when exhausted.
 
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