Goloks, Bowies, Kukris, and Machetes!

Ok, I got another piece of wood and started chopping.
golok011.jpg

golok012.jpg

golok013.jpg

golok016.jpg

I measured the depths after an equal number of chops.
golok017.jpg

The Fatty is just a bit deeper than the Kurkri, but this is hardly conclusive. The pangas are ahead. The longer, heavier CS is ahead of the Condor. So the longest blade seems to have the advantage. It isn't scienfic. Too many variables. Lets just say these are my four best choppers. This is hard wood and my hands sting!
 
A couple of interesting points about machetes come out of this thread for me. Jeff Randall alludes to the idea that machetes are really underrated survival tools here stateside. In the most current issue of Tactical Knives (September 08) he says "Stateside survival use - so what type of machete is best for stateside survival use? I prefer a thin blade such as a 2mm thickness found on the Condor, a traditional Latin blade shape and an 18" blade length." He indicates at one point in the article that the Condor has a convex blade ,which might have something to do with its cutting performance? I've looked at those Condors for a while but never pulled the trigger - maybe its time. I do believe that you can do pretty well in a lot environments with machete and an SAK... Thanks Horn Dog!
 
mneedham said:
A couple of interesting points about machetes come out of this thread for me. Jeff Randall alludes to the idea that machetes are really underrated survival tools here stateside. In the most current issue of Tactical Knives (September 08) he says "Stateside survival use - so what type of machete is best for stateside survival use? I prefer a thin blade such as a 2mm thickness found on the Condor, a traditional Latin blade shape and an 18" blade length." He indicates at one point in the article that the Condor has a convex blade ,which might have something to do with its cutting performance? I've looked at those Condors for a while but never pulled the trigger - maybe its time. I do believe that you can do pretty well in a lot environments with machete and an SAK... Thanks Horn Dog!
Click to expand...

I have yet to really use my Condor Salvadoran 18" machete. Too dark now. It will have to wait for the really, really, BIG machete chop off. :eek:

Condor18001.jpg
 
mneedham said:
A couple of interesting points about machetes come out of this thread for me. Jeff Randall alludes to the idea that machetes are really underrated survival tools here stateside. In the most current issue of Tactical Knives (September 08) he says "Stateside survival use - so what type of machete is best for stateside survival use? I prefer a thin blade such as a 2mm thickness found on the Condor, a traditional Latin blade shape and an 18" blade length."
He indicates at one point in the article that the Condor has a convex blade ,which might have something to do with its cutting performance? I've looked at those Condors for a while but never pulled the trigger - maybe its time. I do believe that you can do pretty well in a lot environments with machete and an SAK... Thanks Horn Dog!
Click to expand...


I agree with this. I started using machetes in the Ontario bush about 25+ years ago. How it started was, we invited a new friend on his first canoe trip. He asked us how come us guys didn't use machetes and that he always took machetes when camping (he is from Jamaica). I told him because we don't have sugar cane growing up here.

So on the next trip he came on, he brought a machete and after using it, I was sold. For limbing poles it is unequalled. Excellent for batoning. Keep in mind I have a back problem and so cannot use an axe, and to me, hatchets are downright dangerous, although I have used them. Cheap, readily available and disposable, if necessary.

I continued using Tramontina Bola machetes from that point on, even after getting my trusty Machax - dependent on what I was doing. I find that the Tramontina Bolos that are available around here now, are thinner than what I use. (or maybe I should say used because I can't find it - I think maybe a buddy volunteered to rehandle it - I'll have to check).

And since the theme of the day seems somewhat argumentative, to the people that maintain that machetes are useless up here - then don't use them. :D

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
I agree with this. I started using machetes in the Ontario bush about 25+ years ago. How it started was, we invited a new friend on his first canoe trip. He asked us how come us guys didn't use machetes and that he always took machetes when camping (he is from Jamaica). I told him because we don't have sugar cane growing up here.

So on the next trip he came on, he brought a machete and after using it, I was sold. For limbing poles it is unequalled. Excellent for batoning. Keep in mind I have a back problem and so cannot use an axe, and to me, hatchets are downright dangerous, although I have used them. Cheap, readily available and disposable, if necessary.

I continued using Tramontina Bola machetes from that point on, even after getting my trusty Machax - dependent on what I was doing. I find that the Tramontina Bolos that are available around here now, are thinner than what I use. (or maybe I should say used because I can't find it - I think maybe a buddy volunteered to rehandle it - I'll have to check).

And since the theme of the day seems somewhat argumentative, to the people that maintain that machetes are useless up here - then don't use them. :D

Doc
Click to expand...

Theres a Condor Bolo here Doc, page says its 2.2 mm thick.
http://www.condortk.com/productsdetail.php?prodid=40

I wonder how do the Cold Steel Bolos compare to the Tramontinas?
 
I wonder how do the Cold Steel Bolos compare to the Tramontinas?
Click to expand...


I have both. The Cold Steel is about 1.5" longer, a bit thicker, and a lot heavier. Much like the Martindale bolos.
 
Great review Horn Dog!

It would be interesting to see how the best of each catigory would perform head to head with some hatchets, saws and bigger machetes.


Frank
 
I don't have the FFBM, but thinning the edge a bit on the FBM made it bite quite a bit deeper- let the chips fly!

Thanks for a GREAT review!
 
Darn you Horndog! You have made me green with ENVY, my competitive instincts have kicked in, and now I must go buy more gear to to stay in this race... :p

I'm really trying to talk myself out of one of those BRKT machetes and a Golok... I really don't need them... but, I have this disease you see... must.... resist.... temptation.... ;)

Great gear and write-up... :thumbup:
 
Great review HD!
It looks like I need to get myself one of those Condor short panga machetes.
 
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