I need to hear your thoughts about the Barong...

LorenzoL

LorenzoL

Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
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I am considering buying a Barong, but I am not sure whether I will like it or not (I have found no Spyderco dealer that carries one near where I live, so I have to rely on pictures and advice).
Let me tell you what I like first: I like FFG blades, above 3"; the compression lock is my overall favorite, but I can live with a lockback or a well-made liner lock (I find the Millie lock a bit flimsy for the size of the blade). I prefer CF and Ti scales/handles, but I am OK with FG G10.
My favorite Spydercos are: Sage (overall favorite), Para D2 (favorite lock), large Manix (favorite blade and handle), Millie (favorite design).
So, will I like the Barong?
 
Wasn't my cup of tea, sent it back and traded for a BB Millie.
For me the handle was to thin for my grip,also the wasted choil area
didn't do it either. I'm sure for others, it's the bees knees :p
 
I've got the passaround barong right now, I like the handle design very much and find the liner lock well executed but I don't like the blade at all. As mentioned above there is a, relatively, huge area of waisted space around the choil or ricasso. I feel this knife should have another inch of useful edge, also there is no jimping on the blade spine and the spyder hole seems too smal and oddly placed considering the design. I don't have any idea what this knife would be good for as is. Its got a great handle though, secure, slim and multi grip friendly.
 
I like it a lot. I think you will too.

It's got a really comfortable handle ( I have largish hands) a good blade shape and overall a very high level of fit/finish. Not only was I not bothered by, I never really noticed that polarizing feature-the large unsharpened area. Just didn't seem to ever come up for me.

Link to some pictures.

Yablanowitz did a very nice review over here. We've got a different opinion on the knife overall but he does have some nice pictures and brings up good points.
 
i really like the looks of the barong too.

kaligman (i think) also did a nice review with some videos.

its on my list, along with a rocklobster, stretch II, sage ril, manix II.....
 
I really like mine. The only problem is that it's too big to legally carry in a couple of cities I spend a lot of time in. I haven't missed not having the edge closer to the handle -- the angle between the blade and handle is such that that space isn't used for chopping and slicing cuts.
 
I love mine. The handle is excellent for me but if you have big hands it might not be as comfortable. One thing that I really like about it is that it seems to disappear really well in the pocket for its size. As for the unsharpened part of the blade, the jury is still out for me. I find that I tend to choke up on that part of the blade when I need to do delicate work and for my use its excellent for that. But on the other hand, tom krein said he could do a wicked regrind which would make the full blade sharpened. I havent decided if I'll do that though.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
i really like the looks of the barong too.

kaligman (i think) also did a nice review with some videos.

its on my list, along with a rocklobster, stretch II, sage ril, manix II.....
Click to expand...

You are correct sir (and I am glad you liked the video):

http://www.albokalisilat.org/barong.html

This knife is great, not only for martial blade work, but for multiple cutting tasks. The liner lock is very beefy. Ed told me that the liner in the final design was just about double the thickness of the conceptual model. I really like the lock on this knife. The blade is very quick into action, and the liner lock is thick, solid, and with great lockup. I've seen framelocks made from thinner stock than this liner.
 
Tom Krein said he is going to get himself a Barong and regrind it to have the whole blade have a bevel. I think with that mod it is a knife I would buy. In fact I just bought a BM 760 that I never would have bought had I not known Tom Krein can completely transform the knife from a prybar to a cutting tool. With the Barong I would always keep in mind that Krein can transform the knife to a factory looking piece with a full length edge. Just a thought if the unsharpened portion is a deal breaker.

Mike
 
the Barong is the only Spyderco I've ever considered buying a second !!! (I'm not talking about different versions like Kopas or involving different steels like Millies or Mules, but buying the same exactly model twice)
hope this gives you a hint :)

1-3.jpg
 
My Spyderco Barong should be arriving today :D. The blade shape/angle makes a lot of sense from a martial perspective, and that Kali video really drove the point home--nice! Question for KaliGman, if the Barong is so useful for those reasons, is it safe to say that the Spyderco Khukuri is even more so? Considering the more extreme angle? Anyway, these are awesome knives.
 
WoodenChicken said:
My Spyderco Barong should be arriving today :D. The blade shape/angle makes a lot of sense from a martial perspective, and that Kali video really drove the point home--nice! Question for KaliGman, if the Barong is so useful for those reasons, is it safe to say that the Spyderco Khukuri is even more so? Considering the more extreme angle? Anyway, these are awesome knives.
Click to expand...

The Khukuri is a fine knife. However, it is smaller than the Barong and does not handle quite the same. For martial use, I prefer the Barong. I can make the Khukuri work quite well in a martial context, but it does not handle as well as the Barong. Ed told me, when these were in prototype stage, that he thought I would prefer the Barong, and, as usual, he was right:D.

That said, the Khukuri is a nice little cutter and carries very well in the pocket of a business suit. It makes a great EDC. I have both the Barong and the Khukuri and like both of them, but it should be noted that I have one Khukuri and I have multiples of the Barong.
 
OK, remember my opening post where I mentioned having a preference for FFG blades and all the rest. Well, guess what? After seeing BRJ's picture with the Barong and the Kris side by side, I was intrigued and did some research about the latter, found a NIB one from an online retailer at a decent price (125 shipped), and bought it!:eek:
I may or may not end up liking it, but one thing is certain, it is an unusual knife and it should become very collectible.
Thank you all for your input and you can call me crazy if you feel like doing so...:D
 
wow, I've made a sale :D
I also bought my Kris on an impulse, and was instantly amazed by the ergos
Ed has a thing for multiple grips and I simply love that :thumbup:
 
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