I need some help & suggestions: Cold Steel Morro Barong.

A

alan aragon

Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
438
the search function is phucked right now.

anyone actually have one of these? my dad saw it on the cold steel website & liked it, so i'm contemplating getting it for his birthday.

my questions are,

1) what's your general opinion of CS's rendition of the morro barong? - it's 1050 steel, comment on that if you want.

2) i'm filipino. the relevance? i'm not too sure medamnself. but, for some reason, my dad is REALLY into the morros & their barongs.. is cold steel the ultimate route to go for such a knife?? keep in mind that the last knife i got my dad was a walter brend model 2 fixed blade, the 8" beauty.

3) if cold steel fits the bill for this purpose, then where can i find the best deal on this particular knife? i know that the gut response might be to hit up cold steel directly, but i already have -- and the backorder is about 1.5-2.0 months, too much friggin time, i need this blade (or one that kicks its ass) pronto.

thanks in advance.
 
Just so people know what you are talking about.
About $120.00
Looks pretty cool to me, I have never seen one.
88PB.jpg
 
$112 + 6.99 s&h at www.knifesite.com.
I did not look to see if they had it in stock, so you may want to check first.
They were the cheapest of the sights I looked at.
 
thanks for the suggestions everyone.

pep - i checked out the site, searched the barong & it wasn't on there, i also dug through their selection of CS, & it wasn't there.. perhaps i'll give them a call.
 
Howdy, wait till the search function is up, and read a few of the reviews that were posted. One fellow mention that the blade didn't balance all that well, and he had a few problems with the handle. He also compared it to a number of traditional models in his collection.

Atlanta cutlery also catalogs traditional barongs, sometimes, but I'm not sure of the quality.
 
I thought cold Steel was just importing these, not having them made to their specs? My friend had one & it seemed like an imported model, ok I guess but it didn't really seem high-quality. I've heard really good things about the Valiant products though.
 
The morro barong looks strikingly similar to at least one version of the Malaysian golok. I suspect the similarities are due to the cultural links between the various ethnic groups who have historical and cultural links with their cousins spread all over the Malay achipelago.

The achipelago is generally Southeast Asia of which Malaysia and Philippines are very much part of.
 
I've always been impressed with the products from Cold Steel. My only complaint is that they have a tendency to discontiue certain ones, and usually the ones I have bought for some reason. But if you are into collecting that could be a plus.

Their handles with the deep checkered Krayton are some of the best out there on fixed knives in my opinion and I've had great luck with their factory seconds as using knives. Something about the fact that it is a second makes it easier for me to ding it up and use it.

Thompson bought out some major sword maker not too long ago and the swords are supposed to be top notch. His new CD is pretty fun to watch. I think they give it out for free if you call them. I know they are sending it with the catalogs because that is how I got mine. Watch it if you haven't. They do some wicked stuff to steel in those tests and the swords are pretty much the best parts to watch.
 
from what i read, the barong is heavier than what you would find traditionally for this type of weapon. I have no doubt that you'll find it to be pleasing to the eye, but as for actual use, it will be very much up to the individual. CAS iberia has also begun to import their version of the barong so it might be worth looking into.

as an aside, other than specials of the month, you shouldn't buy directly from cold steel when elsewhere on the net the price is much better.
 
thanks, everyone. you guys rock.. pep - thanks for digging that up for me; my digging skills obviously need a little help. thanks.
 
I am one too...my dad who immigrated here in '60's uses a cheap bolo that he got in Pilipinas for yard work. Looking to get a good one for myself.

Sige at Ingat,
V
 
alan aragon said:
the search function is phucked right now.

anyone actually have one of these? my dad saw it on the cold steel website & liked it, so i'm contemplating getting it for his birthday.

my questions are,

1) what's your general opinion of CS's rendition of the morro barong? - it's 1050 steel, comment on that if you want.

2) i'm filipino. the relevance? i'm not too sure medamnself. but, for some reason, my dad is REALLY into the morros & their barongs.. is cold steel the ultimate route to go for such a knife?? keep in mind that the last knife i got my dad was a walter brend model 2 fixed blade, the 8" beauty.

thanks in advance.
Click to expand...



Alan,

Kumusta ka. I think I'm the person Bob Bowie mentioned in his reply. 1050 is a great steel for a weapon of this type and the 18" blade on the CS barong is very nicely done with an eyecatching mirror finish. Another great detail is the figured rosewood furniture. Both the kakatua and sheath are nicely executed, hand polished to a natural semi-gloss.

One question. . .Will the barong be primarily for use or display? :) For display, the CS is quite nice, with great fit and finishbut as a "user" it's a disappointment unless you and your dad have Shaq sized hands and arms to match. Too big and heavy.

IMO, the CS Moro Barong is an abomination in comparison to other barongs I have or handled in the past. My biggest issue is the handle. The CS has a very thick waist measuring IIRC 4 3/4" in circumference, considerably larger than a traditional barong. The handle was tough to wrap my hands around and didn't allow me a secure grip. The CS also has bands carved into the waist which I found them very uncomfortable and restrictive.

Another issue is its weight which according to the website is whopping 30.1 ozs. It's nearly a pound heavier than my heaviest barong and the weight is noticeable! Where the CS falls short is in speed, edge, and usabilty. But we are talking about a 1/4" thick, 3" wide, 18" long brute of a blade. Devastating but very slow and cumbersome. Redirection and unorthodox attack angles are not its strong suits. The edge is much sharper than it seems and it's sheer size easily cleaves, chops and splits whatever it comes into contact with. But the same can be said of the cutting power of traditionally proportioned barongs that come in leaner and much faster.

Overall, IMHO, the CS is a very handsome and well made . . . wall hanger or paperweight :eek: (sorry :( ). Your money would be better spent on a barong from either Kris Cutlery or CAS Iberia, both of which are comparable in price.

Hope that helps! :)


Gumagalang,
D13
 
well, i'm your averge size Flip. 5'3" and 130 lbs. i think the CS barong is way too big and heavy. if your dad is into traditional moro blades the CS barongs are really not an exact replication. like i said the weight is too heavy...a longer,bigger barong should be lighter and tend to have a distal taper. a shorter barong is usually heavier. aesthetically, CS barong is too plain for my taste.

Atlanta Cutlery had some barongs awhile back and i thought it was very nice. it even had a stainless steel ferule which CS barongs do not have. plus you have to watch for CS quality control. i've seen some of their barongs with the tang slightly exposed out of the handle. now that just doesn't look right.

kris kutlery has some nice ones. and they are good users too.
valiantco makes them really nice as well and looks similar to the classic barongs. but they are based outside U.S.

my .02 cents worth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top