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- Oct 5, 2006
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- 3,124
I received a Barong through a passaround here on BladeForums and thought I'd share a mini-review.
The Barong is a nicely designed and executed knife. It's hard to believe that it is discontinued. Ed Schempp took the traditional Barong design and made it a modern, workable knife. Size-wise, it fits in between a Military and Paramilitary in length with about the same handle thickness. Even with the pronounced choil-like unsharpened area of the blade, the Barong has almost exactly the same length of sharpened edge as the Para and about 3/8" less than the Military. Weight-wise, the Barong is in between the Military and Paramilitary with respective weights of 4.5, 4.2, and 3.7 ounces.
Handling on the Barong is different than many Spydies. The handle has a pronounced rear pommel and front guard. My hands are XL and the fit between the two guards is a little too snug for comfort -- especially with the exposed liners, which are a little sharp. There is no jimping anywhere, which probably isn't needed, but it may throw Spydie enthusiasts for a loop. The slightly downward angled blade is a little different too. I want to use it some more before offering a judgement.
The Barong is also one of the easier opening Spydies I've handled. It flicks open smoothly without any wrist action and the liner lock holds it open securely. The blade came to me quite a bit off center with slight blade play. Tightening the pivot helped the blade play, but it is still off center.
Overall, this is a knife I'd like to own. It's too bad I didn't buy one before they were discontinued.
The Barong is a nicely designed and executed knife. It's hard to believe that it is discontinued. Ed Schempp took the traditional Barong design and made it a modern, workable knife. Size-wise, it fits in between a Military and Paramilitary in length with about the same handle thickness. Even with the pronounced choil-like unsharpened area of the blade, the Barong has almost exactly the same length of sharpened edge as the Para and about 3/8" less than the Military. Weight-wise, the Barong is in between the Military and Paramilitary with respective weights of 4.5, 4.2, and 3.7 ounces.
Handling on the Barong is different than many Spydies. The handle has a pronounced rear pommel and front guard. My hands are XL and the fit between the two guards is a little too snug for comfort -- especially with the exposed liners, which are a little sharp. There is no jimping anywhere, which probably isn't needed, but it may throw Spydie enthusiasts for a loop. The slightly downward angled blade is a little different too. I want to use it some more before offering a judgement.
The Barong is also one of the easier opening Spydies I've handled. It flicks open smoothly without any wrist action and the liner lock holds it open securely. The blade came to me quite a bit off center with slight blade play. Tightening the pivot helped the blade play, but it is still off center.
Overall, this is a knife I'd like to own. It's too bad I didn't buy one before they were discontinued.
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