Martindale #2 Golok

[baldtaco-II]

That looks good.

 

[baldtaco-II]

The Bark River is great on light vegetation, but it's a heck of a chopper, too.

I'm still wondering why exactly that should be the case. I doubt it has anything to do with the handle. Nice as it is I don't believe it has the ideal handle shape for a chopper [like the Condor has]. The weight distribution of the BRKT seems much more uniform along its length too.[Although from a profile that could be misleading if the #2 tapers much more at the tip]. And as you said, “Maybe a bit better than my Ontario on the heavier stuff”.

That's leading me to assume that the only thing that is giving the BRKT better penetration on wood is that their mod is a full height convex whereas you and I stop at little more than an assault on the cutting edge and some shoulder relief. Below is a crappy pic of one of mine. I removed a bunch of metal to get the smoothest transition between the edge and the rest. I did a rather shallow convex for massively improved flow and penetration. I've always suspected I could squeeze even more from it if I took it to the full height. At the moment I can't see anything else BRKT is doing to that Ontario to put it ahead. [I know the BRKT is also made harder but I don't see that as a factor in this].

Thoughts?

 

[baldtaco-II]

I guess it is one of those marketing things, maybe John Nowill is a side mark for Sheffield, if that is one company, I don't know...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Hunting-shooting/Knives/Hunting-knives/auction-222865047.htm

The article in Tactical Knives listed it as a John Nowill.

Marion

I regard them as all pretty much the same bucket. I think they've got a little guild and are clinging together like fugees resisting Brtiain's climate of The Knife Hunter General.

The MOD knife is a good example. Aside from the really old ones I think of them all as same meat different gravy regardless of which of those makers marks show on it. I consider everything that comes from there as low rent. The Japanese have us utterly trounced.

 

[MacHete]

I think the Condors and Tramontinas are a better value, but the Martindale #2 is sort of a legend, and I wanted one.

I've been meaning to pick one up for the same reason. I am glad to hear that, once you put an edge on it, it is a servicable piece. :thumbup:

Parangolok!

Gesundheit!

 

[Horn Dog]

I've been meaning to pick one up for the same reason. I am glad to hear that, once you put an edge on it, it is a servicable piece. :thumbup:



Gesundheit!

I have a large machete collection, including some older ones from Collins. Now that I am getting into goloks, I figured I'd get the one most folks are familiar with. The Martindale #2 is well known. I even have a Valiant on order. There are two good things about collecting machetes and goloks:

1. They are cheaper than Busses (which I love).

2. I can use them in my yard.

 

[OldPhysics]

I have a large machete collection, including some older ones from Collins. Now that I am getting into goloks, I figured I'd get the one most folks are familiar with. The Martindale #2 is well known. I even have a Valiant on order. There are two good things about collecting machetes and goloks:

1. They are cheaper than Busses (which I love).

2. I can use them in my yard.

But ... why let logic interfere with obsession?





[I use the Busses in my yard, though I often get confused looks from passersby. Worried passersby.]

 

[Flipincanadian]

Awesome review, I got one of these about a month ago and have been meaning to type up a small review...

Mine came with an edge, just not a sharp edge and the bevel was very steep when it arrived. I did re profile it before i took it out, although not to the extent you did. I must say that i was quite disappointed with its performance even after my re-profiling, but i will put more effort into a nicer edge after seeing your review.

Any chance you could compare it to the 12" Ontario?

 

[Horn Dog]

My comparisons with choppers are tainted. I almost always profile the edges. It wasn't necessary with the BRKT or even the Condor, but I already know that a poor edge is not going to do very well. If you want a knife that chops well as sold, get one that comes with a good edge. My Ontarios have nice convex edges. My guess is that out of the box the Ontario 12" camp machete would do better than the much duller Martindale. With comparable edges, I think the Martindale might do a little better, but I have not compared them back to back. Yet. It's 99F outside right now, so I'm taking a water break from my yard work. Maybe in the near future I can compare the 12" Tramontina, 12" Condor Inca, 12" Ontario, 12" Cold Steel Barong, 12" CS Bowie, and the Martindale.
Here is one of my Ontarios:

Here it is with my Busse FBM

 

[Nathan Gould]

good review. in regards to the initial edge, i believe that they do that to make them "squaddie proof" pretty much everything in the british army is designed to be tough and obtuse, prettyy much like the british army realy

 

[Carolina River Rat]

They US Army is much the same, Nathan. I think soldiers, regardless of nationality, are pretty much all alike in their remarkable ability to break and/or lose equipment.

 

[Horn Dog]

But ... why let logic interfere with obsession?





[I use the Busses in my yard, though I often get confused looks from passersby. Worried passersby.]

I do, too. I gave all my neighbors wickedly sharp brand new Tramontinas. I was trying to save them money on power trimmers and landscapers. They have the same "jungle" I have, so I thought they would enjoy using them. I think they are afraid of them. They would rather pay a landscaper to use his machete I guess. But sure, I use my Busse FFBM to split and chop the big stuff. It is much too heavy for machete work.