Help me decide? Two Condor models

kgd

kgd

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Feb 28, 2007
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I don't usually do this kind of thread but I'm kind of stuck here. I want a small machete for use in place of a big chopper knife. I'd like to stick with Condor as I already have the ESEE lite machete and love the steel and performance. I've narrowed things down to the Kumunga (10") or the 12" bolo machete.

Typical uses will be - cutting grape vines, cutting reeds and grasses for insulation, one stick fire (wrist sized pieces of wood), making a swamp bed or raised platform. The short machete will be paired with a 4" fixed blade and SAK. I already have an 18" machete and the short one fills the role of when I want something that fits inside my pack as opposed to tying to the outside of it. I don't want an axe (I've got a few of those).

I like the profile of the Kumunga better (I prefer a Latin shape machete aesthetically), but I suspect that the little bit of extra length and that fat head of the bolo will make it a far superior chopper. Fine tip work will be done with my smaller knife so the tip of the machete is less crucial to me even though I like the looks of the blade having one.

Any thoughts, comparisons, personal insights? I'll look at other short machetes as well, but I do trust the Condor's and am drawn towards reinvesting in them. The bolo (with sheath) works out to about $10 more. No, I'm not going to buy both 'cause I just want the better of the two.

Thanks for your advice and interest!
 
Hmm...Between the two I'd go with the 12" bolo, at least for the tasks you're describing. I own one of the Kumungas personally and it's great, but more of a big knife than a small machete. The 12" bolo is a fantastic chopper that doesn't get enough attention, and the broad blade not only increases raw chopping ability, but the false edge on the top also allows it to work well as an improvised digging device.

There aren't many pics of the 12" bolo out there, and I've been meaning to get some non-stock photos on the website anyway, so if you'd like I can snap a few pics of the two next to each other. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
The 12" bolo is a fantastic chopper that doesn't get enough attention, and the broad blade not only increases raw chopping ability, but the false edge on the top also allows it to work well as an improvised digging device.

There aren't many pics of the 12" bolo out there, and I've been meaning to get some non-stock photos on the website anyway, so if you'd like I can snap a few pics of the two next to each other. :)
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Thanks for your comments 42B, exactly the kind of thing I wanted to hear. Any pics you can post would be great!
 
I'll second the bolo recommendation. I have the 15" version, and it's a beast of a chopper. I'm sure the 12" will be very similar in that respect. I've seen, but not handled the Kumunga, and I'm thinking it won't be as beefy as the bolo. My only problem with the bolo was the overly-thick handle (and I like 'em fat!). A short stint on the grinder, though, and all was well.
 
It's funny all of the comments I've heard about the handles being too fat on the Bolo--my hands are super puny (I take a ladies' size 8 glove! :eek:) but I have no problem wrapping my hands around it. :confused:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
It's funny all of the comments I've heard about the handles being too fat on the Bolo--my hands are super puny (I take a ladies' size 8 glove! :eek:) but I have no problem wrapping my hands around it. :confused:
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Yeah, not sure why that would be, just different strokes I guess. I find the other condor handles feel just right. On the El Salvador and Hog Sticker machetes, for example. Just the bolo felt too fat, kinda reminded me of my KaBar Heavy Bowie handle. Just too chunky!
 
I'd get the 12" bolo. The Kumunga is more a big knife than a short machete as said. It would work -- but not as well as the bolo would.
 
I had a Kumunga and an 11" machete -- i got rid of the Kumunga.
it's a nice knife, and will chop/slash -- but in my experience the machete does both better.
another thought would be the Condor Golok -- 14" blade, but chops like a 17" while still being fairly light and quick in the hand.
 
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BoloAndKumungaSheathed.jpg


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FortyTwoBlades said:
Hmm...Between the two I'd go with the 12" bolo, at least for the tasks you're describing. I own one of the Kumungas personally and it's great, but more of a big knife than a small machete. The 12" bolo is a fantastic chopper that doesn't get enough attention, and the broad blade not only increases raw chopping ability, but the false edge on the top also allows it to work well as an improvised digging device.

There aren't many pics of the 12" bolo out there, and I've been meaning to get some non-stock photos on the website anyway, so if you'd like I can snap a few pics of the two next to each other. :)
Click to expand...

I totally agree with 42blades. I owned a Kumunga and it didnt hang around long, nothing really WRONG with it, but I have quite a few BIG knives, and it wasnt really that great in hand.
Have you thought about the Condor Golok? Its a good compromise between the 2, it has some meat on it, and its a machete. I love the damn thing.

Man, that BOLO looks good! I like it.
 
I love my Kumunga--it's just a piece that gets carried when I'm not sure if I'll need a machete, or carrying a larger piece would be indiscreet. It's a batoning champ, though! :D
 
Is it wrong that I want them both? :p

I would just go ahead and order them, but Blade's just around the corner.
 
Excellent pictures, thanks for posting, they really helped! Ordered the bolo...
 
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No problem--glad to be of assistance! We expect action shots. :D:thumbup:
 
The Boomslang, indeed, doth rock supremely. I still think the 12" bolo would pull ahead when it comes to the wrist-thick targets, though. I was seriously surprised by the presence it had when I took the first one out of the box! If I were blind I would have guessed it was more like 18"! :eek:
 
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