- Joined
- Dec 18, 2006
- Messages
- 210
Awhile back, I sent Aunt Yangdu a picture of a parang and asked if the kamis could make one like it. Political problems and the loss of some key kamis had put the project on the back burner for awhile, but the parang is finally here and I have had a couple of good, multi-day camping trips to give it a thourogh going over. I apologize for the lack of pictures, stinkin camera pooped out on me
Refer to the pics Yangdu posted. They are better than anything I can do anyway
The parang is 18 inches OAL and weighs in right at 1.5 lbs. The horn handle has wide gentle finger grooves toward the bottom and the last groove accomodates my last two fingers in a way that is similar to the bell of a khuk handle, allowing you to maintain control at maximum reach. The spine starts at a thickness of 1/8 in at the base and flares out to near 3/16 in at the sweet spot, before tapering back down to the point.
The balance is pretty forward, and though I wouldn't exactly describe it as "agile" it's definately not cumbersome or awkward. It feels more like a well built tool than a weapon. A little over 1.5 inches of steel is left unsharpend at the base of the edge which allows you to choke up for finer work.
This parang is a camper's dream tool. It chops firewood as easily as it slices zucchini and butterflies a pork chop. Dice and oinion? No problem. It made quick work of roughing out a vine maple bow stave, shaves down hotdog sticks with ease, and is just about the perfect watermelon knife. Although it excels at finer work, where this baby shines is making the chips fly:thumbup: It just seems like it wants to chop into whatever is nearest it. Even dead cedar knots don't stand a chance.
The HI parang is a must have for any collection. It's immediately gone to the top of the list of my favorite users. And just when I thought I had my HIKV under control.........
Eternal thanks to Yangdu and the kamis for the wonderful blades they make possible!
Refer to the pics Yangdu posted. They are better than anything I can do anywayThe parang is 18 inches OAL and weighs in right at 1.5 lbs. The horn handle has wide gentle finger grooves toward the bottom and the last groove accomodates my last two fingers in a way that is similar to the bell of a khuk handle, allowing you to maintain control at maximum reach. The spine starts at a thickness of 1/8 in at the base and flares out to near 3/16 in at the sweet spot, before tapering back down to the point.
The balance is pretty forward, and though I wouldn't exactly describe it as "agile" it's definately not cumbersome or awkward. It feels more like a well built tool than a weapon. A little over 1.5 inches of steel is left unsharpend at the base of the edge which allows you to choke up for finer work.
This parang is a camper's dream tool. It chops firewood as easily as it slices zucchini and butterflies a pork chop. Dice and oinion? No problem. It made quick work of roughing out a vine maple bow stave, shaves down hotdog sticks with ease, and is just about the perfect watermelon knife. Although it excels at finer work, where this baby shines is making the chips fly:thumbup: It just seems like it wants to chop into whatever is nearest it. Even dead cedar knots don't stand a chance.
The HI parang is a must have for any collection. It's immediately gone to the top of the list of my favorite users. And just when I thought I had my HIKV under control.........
Eternal thanks to Yangdu and the kamis for the wonderful blades they make possible!
stay tuned
