Reflections of Asia Bolo - Which one?

[Rich_S]

I've been looking for a replacement for my old $10 army surplus store machete. A search of the forums led me to this Reflections of Asia place. Now the question is which one.

Actually, think I'm going to get 2 at this price. Definitely the Jungle Bolo. Also want to get one of the Batangas Bolos but not sure which size.

The small one is listed as 24 1/2" OAL, 15" blade. The larger one is 28" OAL, 18" blade. Do these things really have 8.5-10" handles? It sure doesn't look like it from the pics. Which one would be closest in size to the army machete I have now (18" blade, 5" handle) which is a size I find perfect for cutting the pompas grass and other vegetation in my yard?

Thanks.

 

[Nasty]

No active link, it can stay...I assume that a lot of the guys will tell you how much more versitile a khukuri can be.

 

[Rich_S]

No active link, it can stay...I assume that a lot of the guys will tell you how much more versitile a khukuri can be.

I already have a Himalayan Imports 18" Ang Khola. It's unbeatable for chopping wood. For cutting grass and light vegetation, you need something with a longer and thinner blade, hence the bolo or machete.

 

[Fiddleback]

Rich,

I have their #1 and #3. The #3 is much heavier. The #1 is more machete like. THe #1 has a 5.75" long handle and a 15" long blade. The #3 has a 14.5" long blade and a 5.5" handle. The #1 is a 5/32" thick blade at bolster, and the #3 is 1/4". I don't have a way to get you the weights accurately, but the #3 is significantly heavier.

I've used the #1 in the yard to do the hedge trimming this year and its still kicking. Edge has been razor sharp without more than steeling all year.

I recommend Ref of Asia, but be prepared for the villager nature, and scabbard skimping that gets a buffalo horned blade to you for 20 dollars. I did some sanding of both of my handles, then treated them with mineral oil.

I've done a performance review too comparing them to my Valiant Survival Golok. PM me for a link.

 

[Rich_S]

Rich,

I have their #1 and #3. The #3 is much heavier. The #1 is more machete like. THe #1 has a 5.75" long handle and a 15" long blade. The #3 has a 14.5" long blade and a 5.5" handle. The #1 is a 5/32" thick blade at bolster, and the #3 is 1/4". I don't have a way to get you the weights accurately, but the #3 is significantly heavier.

I've used the #1 in the yard to do the hedge trimming this year and its still kicking. Edge has been razor sharp without more than steeling all year.

I recommend Ref of Asia, but be prepared for the villager nature, and scabbard skimping that gets a buffalo horned blade to you for 20 dollars. I did some sanding of both of my handles, then treated them with mineral oil.

I've done a performance review too comparing them to my Valiant Survival Golok. PM me for a link.

Thanks for the info.

I guess what I was curious about was whether the blade length or overall length in their ads was accurate, because there's no way both can be accurate (I can't see them having 9-10" handles). From your post, it appears that the blade length that they list is the more accurate of the two numbers. Based on that, I will order the Batangas Style 4 with 18" blade.

No worries about appearance as these will be users.