new brkt golok chipped in 30min.

[thejeep]

i would like to add that i really like the design of the knife and am sure it was just a fluke.

to alberta ed: the limbs were carried to me by a 22month old. they weren't no telephone poles.

 

[Dan57]

Now we are getting into an all too common practice here on BF: people talking down on a product they have never actually owned or even used. I think the Barkie Golok is awesome, I own it, I've used it extensively. People who own it should be the ones mostly weighing in here imho, be it positively or negatively. Theorizing about an item you have never actually touched isn't going to help the OP or anyone else.

I think this depends on what specific part of the product you're critiquing. For example, you can't give an accurate opinion on what a knife will feel like in the hand without ever having actually held it. (Though it is possible to make an educated guess, based on what the handle looks like and the material it's made of.) It's also quite difficult to predict how well a knife will chop based on specs. (Though, again, it's possible to make quite an accurate estimate, if you know the weight distribution, type of grind, and have experience with similar knives.)
However, what I see people on here critiquing is the fact that the knife shouldn't have chipped while doing what it was made for. And I don't think you have to have experience with the knife in order to determine that a failure like that shouldn't have happened.

 

[FoxholeAtheist]

I'd be interested to hear what Bark River says about it after they look at it, but I'd also bet on "ground a bit too thin".

 

[Joshua J.]

If the chips really were 5mm deep then that sounds like something I would send back.
At the same time, I think it's worth reminding people that in order to find the ideal edge profile for you, grinding the edge "too thin" is almost necessary. You won't know if it's too thin until it starts to chip/dent/roll, and when it does just sharpen it at a slightly steeper angle and you're all set. After time you'll just know what edge to put on which knives and there shouldn't be too much guesswork.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Well, goloks evolved in an area where soft woods are most common. In northern climes, they don't cut it (sorry for the pun). Hardwoods are 'hard' woods. An ax would be a better tool when chopping wood like red oak.

 

[Wharn]

I mean wtf did my dad have the lock ness monster bless my ontario machette, and then before giving it to me reprofile the edge on a statue of the virgin marry?

Mind if I use this for my sig?

 

[thejeep]

joshua j: it was only one chip. approx 5mm . just enough to piss me off. i'll get a pic uploaded sometime.
wharn: be my guest.

 

[thejeep]

Well, goloks evolved in an area where soft woods are most common. In northern climes, they don't cut it (sorry for the pun). Hardwoods are 'hard' woods. An ax would be a better tool when chopping wood like red oak.

an axe for the limbs involved would be like a plasma torch for renyolds wrap.

 

[Mikael W]

Here are some pic's of my Golok in use before the chip and after.
#1 is before.
#2 & #3 are after.
It has to be said:
This is my best chopping knife, the next step is a hatchet - in my book!
The geometry is crucial and this thick convex edge fill a tablesaw gap in a piece of wood, with the size of 0,125" width by 0,40" depth.
This is a geometry that takes heavy duty chopping in Maple without chipping or rolling.

Regards
Mikael

View attachment 320984View attachment 320985View attachment 320986

 

[TwinStick]

Where exactly is the chip? I'm not seeing it in those pics.

 

[DJG097]

Where exactly is the chip? I'm not seeing it in those pics.

My thoughts exactly...

 

[Mikael W]

Sorry I should have been clearer!
There is no chip in the edge in those pics!
They show:
#1 how the knife was before the chip.
#2 & #3 how the knife looks today,after it was reground at the Bark River Factory.

This means that my Golok lost 10% bladeheight, but it gained edgestrenght and I settled with the knife as the chopping tool it is.

Regards
Mikael

 

[jdk1]

First off, that sucks. I've heard many good things about that blade, so it must be a fluke.

Second, the OP and I have learned the same hard lesson: talk is cheap. I keep hearing about how awesome certain blades are, but most suffer in comparison to cheap machetes. I never really hear of machetes failing. I'm sure it happens, but I never see it. I have some nice large knifes and I love them. Unfortunately, not one can out work a cheap machete. Jeff Randall has been saying this for a long time and I just knew he was wrong, until I learned he was right He tells people all the time not to buy his Junglas (great knife, by the way) and instead by a machete. And not even the ESEE machete, but the base model Imacasa. I learned he is also right when he says most of the knife industry is BS.

Third, I wish the "get an axe" folks would go play on the axe forum. I don't chop down trees. I'm not a lumberjack. If I were, I'd use a chainsaw. I've used an axe to split firewood, but that's really the only use I get from one, and it's not often at all. A large knife or machete is much more useful to me. To hear someone badmouth others because they used a knife/parang/machete/golok to process wood is insane. I love hearing from different people here and have learned a ton, even from the gotta-have-an-axe crowd, but must they post in every darned thread? Again, I love hearing about and seeing pics of folks using axes/hatchets/hawks, but don't enjoy being talked down to because I don't carry one around town. There is one in my truck, but I'm not sure why As well, I'm sick of hearing about how us poor ignorant masses would do things differently if only we had the advanced skills of the enlightened few. As I said, I have learned a great deal here and have changed the way I do things, but talking down to everyone is no way to share ideas and skills.

Gee, I didn't intend to get all that off my chest. Back on topic: OP hopefully you'll get satisfaction, but you are absolutely correct in that the fanciest of blades will not out work your basic machetes unless building or heating a cabin is your goal. My recent thinking is that the Condor Eco-survivor (or whatever it's called) machete might just be the ultimate woodsbum's blade. Take care all and Happy New Year!

 

[Mikael W]

First off, that sucks. I've heard many good things about that blade, so it must be a fluke.

Second, the OP and I have learned the same hard lesson: talk is cheap. I keep hearing about how awesome certain blades are, but most suffer in comparison to cheap machetes. I never really hear of machetes failing. I'm sure it happens, but I never see it. I have some nice large knifes and I love them. Unfortunately, not one can out work a cheap machete. Jeff Randall has been saying this for a long time and I just knew he was wrong, until I learned he was right He tells people all the time not to buy his Junglas (great knife, by the way) and instead by a machete. And not even the ESEE machete, but the base model Imacasa. I learned he is also right when he says most of the knife industry is BS.

#1 I'm pleased with the performance of the Golok after the reground, but it sucked to see that chip.
But Hey this is History!
It's four years ago and the Golok has been a performer ever since!
No Chips!
No Rolls!
The edgeholding is fantastic with this thicker edge and I have worked for hours in Sycomore Maple!

#2 I don't own a machete and I read Your word with interest.
Maybe it's time to try one out?
Now, I'm pleased with the Golok as a big chopper and even more so with the lighter 8" NL2 blade from Fällkniven.
That doesn't mean I can't listen, in order to learn things new to me.
I study the Baryonyx site, but I find it hard to make any decisions, as they aren't lighter or smaller compared to a BR Golok.
I will study that Imacasa and others, but I'm not sure I will switch to Machetes.

Regards
Mikael

 

[ron_m80]

I can't wait to finish rehandling my condor golok. The handle isn't the greatest nor is all the steel. But that $40 is good money spent.

I don't know the BRKT, nor do I have to. Any impact cutting tool should not fracture, or chip. Dent or roll would be where my opinion holds fast. Condor agreed and replaced a broken one unxer warranty. Its a safety issue.

 

[jdk1]

We don't switch around here, we just add new blades The Tramontinas works just fine, but the Imacasa machetes seem a bit better (I've recently learned). Your woods are much different than mine, I assume, so I can't make suggestions other than then the handy little Condor (Imacasa) Eco-whatever model with the orange handle. I love khukuri and I will always use them, but I've learned machetes are true work horses and they're really what I compare other big blades to nowadays. It's like nobody told them they are cheap and shouldn't be so good. They're another great tool in the toolbox. Good luck.

 

[Mikael W]

1.I can't wait to finish rehandling my condor golok. The handle isn't the greatest nor is all the steel. But that $40 is good money spent.

2.I don't know the BRKT, nor do I have to. Any impact cutting tool should not fracture, or chip. Dent or roll would be where my opinion holds fast. Condor agreed and replaced a broken one unxer warranty. Its a safety issue.

1.Sounds interesting but where's the pic's?
The Condor Golok is availible here in Sweden, but reading the specs makes me think it's very big compared to what I use!

2. Safety is of great concern also for me in using heavy impact tools!
If possible I always sit down on my knees, before I make a forceful blow.
This goes especially for short hatchets,but also knives.
I agree about impact tools should not fracture or chip.

My choice has been to use shorter knives in the 8" bladelenght range.
They don't develop the same force as larger tools and hence feels more safe.
They are also more comfortable to actually carry in the belt.
Work that have required heavier tools out in a forrest, are something I have just walked around and left behind...

Regards
Mikael

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Shorter tools may be more comfortable on the belt, but do yourself a favor and pick yourself up a quality 18"+ machete, sharpen it up if necessary, and learn proper technique with it--you'll be amazed at what they can do. Length is one of the advantages of machetes over shorter choppers of equal weight. That forward mass increases striking power significantly, much like how a 1.5 lb axe head will hit harder on a 36" handle than it will on a 20" one. Also, I'm not sure how many thorny plants you have in your area, but the extra length keeps you from scratching up your hands cutting a path through it.

 

[Mikael W]

Shorter tools may be more comfortable on the belt, but do yourself a favor and pick yourself up a quality 18"+ machete, sharpen it up if necessary, and learn proper technique with it--you'll be amazed at what they can do. Length is one of the advantages of machetes over shorter choppers of equal weight. That forward mass increases striking power significantly, much like how a 1.5 lb axe head will hit harder on a 36" handle than it will on a 20" one. Also, I'm not sure how many thorny plants you have in your area, but the extra length keeps you from scratching up your hands cutting a path through it.

No doubt a longer, heavier tool can develop more force than a smaller and lighter.
With a thickness of 1/8" a Machete can have enough steel behind the edge for chopping without chipping!

I can't say we have a lot of thorny plants or similiar, that I can't just pass by.
This means I have never really felt underpowered with the 8" knife.
I started carry a Solingen Bowie at the age of fourteen and it followed through my youth until my 50th birthday, when it was retired.
It never failed and it was real value for money as it cost 7 $ in 1970.

The Golok doesn't feel wrong either, if I need more power.
Maybe I will get a Condor Golok too, but I doubt I will be able to use it as intended.


Regards
Mikael

 

[thejeep]

update: They (brkt) received the knife on dec 28. I got an email saying it would be replaced, on the 2nd. sent them an email on the 7th asking when i would get it. no word as of yet.