Just bought a condor golok

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p1911uv9

Joined
Mar 10, 2012
Messages
7
Just bought my knife and was very proud of it even though it was pretty cheap. Went out and chopped at a block, cut some sapplings, removed some dead stuff, split some logs, and when I did the logs I did a little prying, not too hard but just enough to break them once they were split.

When I looked at the knife later I noticed it looked a little tweaked, measured it, and saw that it is very slightly warped to the left, like maybe a millimeter give or take and I just wanted to know. Is this somewhat normal for these things? Do they come from the factory like that some times? Did I do it? Or should I just not worry about it and keep using it?....

I tried to kinda bend it back the other way and it wouldnt, it seems very strong so I don't know how I could have done that....
 
Hard to know really but I will hazzard a totally random guess. First off I really like condor. I own several condors and think they are a really great buy, I use mine hard. All that aside I think it is fair to say their quality control can be a tad "random". I think your knife was warped during production (heat treating?) If it is really tweeked contact condor I bet they take care of you.
 
glockednlocked said:
Hard to know really but I will hazzard a totally random guess. First off I really like condor. I own several condors and think they are a really great buy, I use mine hard. All that aside I think it is fair to say their quality control can be a tad "random". I think your knife was warped during production (heat treating?) If it is really tweeked contact condor I bet they take care of you.
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^This. Condor is a phenomenal company in most respects, but QC has been their continuous sore spot. They've been working at improving it over the years and they've made great leaps, but they certainly aren't perfect yet. :)

The slight warp shouldn't affect function, but if it bothers you then Condor will replace it for you no problem. Their customer service is fantastic.
 
Thing is, for such a small warp, should I even worry about it? Its literally about a millimeter or so throughout the whole blade. If its just something that happens from the factory from time to time I wouldn't mind it.
 
It's VERY common on large blades (usually corrected by manufacturers after heat treatment at the factory), and is actually the norm on Martindale machetes in spite of their high quality. Personally I'd just use it and if you actually start noticing that the warp is giving you problems, contact Condor. I doubt it'll be an issue though. :)
 
Yes sir! It cuts just fine and holds a great edge, and its pretty :) I just wanted to get a second opinion and I think now Ill just hang on to it.
 
I know it will probably void the warranty but I took a file to mine and thinned the edge out...A LOT. It chops much better now. I also stripped the finish off and sanded it smooth. Now it looks as good as it chops. Just a couple of mods to consider, good luck buddy!
 
I was thinking about stripping it later on and doing a mustard/vinegar patina for it. Dought Ill do any grinding on it. I will get my stones out and razor it when it starts getting dull though
 
wroughndt said:
I know it will probably void the warranty but I took a file to mine and thinned the edge out...A LOT. It chops much better now. I also stripped the finish off and sanded it smooth. Now it looks as good as it chops. Just a couple of mods to consider, good luck buddy!
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Pretty sure it's still under warranty.;)

The factory edges have been a little thick lately (though the latest ones I just received a couple days ago were much better) and really perform best when thinned out. I had made it known to Rick at Condor about a month ago that I had seen the primary grinds on a few models creeping a little thicker and the edges getting more obtuse to compensate, so it's looking like they're cracking down on it. :)
 
So when are they going to get around to cutting you a cheque for all of the research and development you are doing for them FortyTwoBlades? On a side note, do you know when we can start buying the new knives they were showing off at SHOT show?
 
Another question, how hard is it to actually bend one of these, is it like prying on some wood, or does it take ALOT of work to do.Like putting it in a vice and bending it with a cheater bar. Just for my peice of mind. I was actually thinking about ordering a parang next pay check but it looks weaker.
 
wroughndt said:
So when are they going to get around to cutting you a cheque for all of the research and development you are doing for them FortyTwoBlades? On a side note, do you know when we can start buying the new knives they were showing off at SHOT show?
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Well they WILL be putting out my Baryonyx machete in 2013, so we'll call it even. :D

New items should be out at next month if things stay to schedule, last I knew. :)
 
p1911uv9 said:
Another question, how hard is it to actually bend one of these, is it like prying on some wood, or does it take ALOT of work to do.Like putting it in a vice and bending it with a cheater bar. Just for my peice of mind. I was actually thinking about ordering a parang next pay check but it looks weaker.
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It's pretty damn hard to bend them. To the best of my knowledge hydraulics are usually used for correcting the warp. Especially on a piece that thick. Joe Flowers was nice enough a couple years ago to grab me a few Imacasa goodies while he was in El Salvador and one was a billhook blade blank I have yet to slap a handle on it. It had a warp to it and correcting it in a vice bloody near killed me. It was only 1/8" thick but even with a cheater bar it took all my strength and bending it 180 degrees to straighten it out. :p:thumbup:
 
damn, I guess hitting a stump is nothing for this thing then. Im such a noob, my first machete was a sogfari and it was a huge pos, i must have machete ptsd now.
 
My Golok

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p1911uv9 said:
damn, I guess hitting a stump is nothing for this thing then. Im such a noob, my first machete was a sogfari and it was a huge pos, i must have machete ptsd now.
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Yeah I'm not too impressed with the SOGs. If you want an inexpensive machete get a Tramontina or a Cold Steel. ;)

And nipsip...I'm sorry but this thread is about the Condor golok. The way you post these photos every time the Condor piece get mentions strikes me as a little bit back-door. It may not be your intention (I'm not accusing) but it comes off looking like you're trying to ramp up interest in the pieces you make without having to pay for a craftsman or dealer level membership. I know this has been raised as an issue before, so it's a little surprising to see it continue. If you plan on making your work available (again, not accusing here but rather making a point) it would garner you much greater respect to do so in the legitimate way.

Edit: Actually, you know what? Just doing a quick search for your screen name on the forums shows you've been sending visitor messages to folks about your work. I'm not normally a confrontational guy, but that's really not cool, man. A craftsman or dealer membership pays for itself quickly. Do the right thing.
 
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I stuck that thing this morning and prying really quite hard the other way and I didn't staighten it. Guess it did come like that. dear condor, I probably wont return this one. Im not gonna sweat it if it came like that as long it does its job.

and I don't know what that hole is, so whatever. I have an arfcom meme just for you if I see it again :D
 
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