Lion Steel Golok Review( the M5) (updated with more pics)

Jroden5446 · Jan 26, 2011

Well, I got tired of waiting around for someone else to post up a review of the Lion Steel Golok, so I broke down and ordered one from BladeHQ. Just got it today, here are some pics and my first impressions, gonna put her to some real work in the next day or two at some serious brush clearing so say tuned.

First, it comes with a nice/servicable nylon open spine sheath, not great, but not to bad either

Here are a few of the blade, nice and paper slicing sharp, nice burnishing job as well

The handle is smooth micarta, well shaped and hand filling

Did a bit of quick chopping on a bit of hard wood

After 10 chops

After another 10, more aimed shots

The burnishing shows wear, pretty cool I think

In hand

Jroden5446 · Jan 26, 2011

First thoughts are I really like it, very well built, soild tool, not fancy, but solid and well designed. Chops well and is still light and fast in hand. I love the curve of the blade, can't wait to really work it tomorrow

Jroden5446 · Jan 26, 2011

Tried the golok out today on a few different things today,
Free hanging vines

after one slash

a random plant

one chop

3 more chops

Long grass

Handled it very well

Hard, dry palm fronds, the forward weight really helped with this kind of stuff

Fan palms

A bit more random plant destruction
one chop

a much bigger one

first chop, deep bite

two more

1066vik · Jan 26, 2011

nice!
looks good!
be interesting to see how it does on green branches or tall grass.

banana-clip · Jan 26, 2011

Nice review.

I know its thinner than the Scrapyard DF and Busse FBM, but how does it chop compare to them?

How did the edge hold up after chopping through that wood?

Jroden5446 · Jan 26, 2011

1066vik said:
nice!
looks good!
be interesting to see how it does on green branches or tall grass.

Hopefully tomorrow I will have plenty of that to test it out on

Jroden5446 · Jan 26, 2011

banana-clip said:
Nice review.

I know its thinner than the Scrapyard DF and Busse FBM, but how does it chop compare to them?

How did the edge hold up after chopping through that wood?

The edge didn't seem to be effected at all, at least by the finger test, it chops better than the BWM ( which has the same weight) and the B11, I've never chopped with a cg dogfather, but it seems to chop a little better than the DFLE I used to own

Liu Kang · Jan 26, 2011

Interesting. You should be like Jim and do a chop off with videos =)

andy540 · Jan 27, 2011

Thanks for the review. I can't wait to see more!
It helps me to wait on the one I ordered from Gianni.

I hope I will get mine next week!

Jroden5446 · Jan 27, 2011

updated with a few pics of different mediums, open to any suggestions

sumoj275 · Jan 27, 2011

Jrod, after talking with you tonight and seeing this I blame you for the desire to try one of these out. Thanks al lot, and thanks for the review.

Jroden5446 · Feb 8, 2011

sumoj275 said:
Jrod, after talking with you tonight and seeing this I blame you for the desire to try one of these out. Thanks al lot, and thanks for the review.

Sorry man! It's a great blade, you won't be sorry you got one

SurvivetheCollapse · Feb 8, 2011

I just love the design of this.

I will be honest. I am looking for a big knife (machete) in this size. I was planning on getting a Busse Basic 11 because I feel it is a great deal.

I may rethink that and go with the slightly larger LionSteel Golok.

Here-in lies the problem. I am no omniscient knife guru and I don't know anything of this 1075 high carbon steel.

This is the most I have been able to find about the steel properties:

"Properties: This is one of the high-carbon steels used for high-hardness in the fully hardened condition. In such condition the steel is more brittle than the lower carbon steels.

Application: Application includes spring and cutting tools."

http://www.caknife.com/Materials.aspx?MatId=5

If anyone has the time and patience to help me further I would appreciate it. I have heard nothing but rave reviews about LionSteel by the way.

Edit: I notice it also says plus chrome. Sorry I don't know exactly what chrome does when added to a steel.

toothless · Feb 9, 2011

definitly no expert, but looks like a good deal.

Ravaillac · Feb 10, 2011

SurvivetheCollapse said:
Here-in lies the problem. I am no omniscient knife guru and I don't know anything of this 1075 high carbon steel.

This is the most I have been able to find about the steel properties:

"Properties: This is one of the high-carbon steels used for high-hardness in the fully hardened condition. In such condition the steel is more brittle than the lower carbon steels.

1075 is a simple carbon steel. Plenty of toughness, average edge holding. Nothing fancy but solid performer, should get the job done.
As they are stating it they have little chrome added so probably doesn't change overall properties that much.

andy540 · Feb 19, 2011

I got mine this week and I was able to try it out today. It's a greate chopper. But did any of you have some chipping on the blade? I have a lot of chipping on my blade after chopping some pine. But besides that it is greate.