Stripped Condor Golok

[paleojoe]

I gave my Condor Golok a little love yesterday.

After putting it through a week's worth of use on a large Acacia that fell in a storm, I knew just what it needed to up the performance.


I hand stripped the coating, leaving the coating on the spine and handle tang.
Leaving it at the ricasso also gives me an index as to where the edge starts for choke grips.

I also smoothed the shoulder on the bevel to give it a little extra bite.

I say, it really came out nice!

 

[RescueRiley]

Looks good... Ive been thinking abut getting one and cutting it down some... to like an 11inch bade lenght... Giving it more of a martindale Golok style...

 

[valcas1]

Looks good... Ive been thinking abut getting one and cutting it down some... to like an 11inch bade lenght... Giving it more of a martindale Golok style...

John, I was just thinking the same thing this morning. I wanted to start with the condor and modify it closer to the Bark River. If you buy one you are more than welcome to come out and use my 2x72 grinder.

PaleoJoe,

Really great work on that. It's exciting to see people using these blades and modifying them. I have a feeling there will be many other people moding this Condor line based on their affordability.

 

[Brad "the butcher"]

damn I need one of those, stupid shipping charges to canada

 

[TheGame]

I like the look of it. Looks better that way, I do believe.

 

[paleojoe]

Thanks guys!



BTW,

Looks good... Ive been thinking abut getting one and cutting it down some... to like an 11inch bade lenght... Giving it more of a martindale Golok style...

Something like this?

It measures out to 12" on the dot.

What d'you think?

 

[Brad "the butcher"]

That is fantastic Joe.
I see that I need 2 now, one to modify. Have been wanting a martindale and that is an affordable option.
Has losing the 2 in affected the performance and how much steel/weight did you remove?
very cool

 

[paleojoe]

Thanks Brad!

The piece I removed weighs out to 20 grams. Measures out to 2" on cutting edge and 2 1/4" of spine. A nice little triangle.

This has moved the balance back by about a finger's thickness towards the ricasso.

It is much quicker feeling when swinging.

The best part about it is I find it easier to nail the sweet spot dead on now.
The curve would trick the eye sometimes.

The main thing that I did like about the curve was the sharp-finger pinch grip at the tip which would be good for skinning, or ulu-type use. But I would prefer a smaller blade for this anyway.

The point is an added bonus, I can stick it tip first if need be.


I'm wondering if I should round off the upper hump a little more, soften it some more, but after researching a number of parangs and goloks, they all vary in this.

 

[cuphead]

ooooo i like...
seriously considerinng one now.

 

[Joezilla]

Did I mention I have a can of aircraft paint stripper now waiting for this mod? What would you think if they just stripped the entire thing at the factory and sold it that way?

 

[Joezilla]

Looks good... Ive been thinking abut getting one and cutting it down some... to like an 11inch bade lenght... Giving it more of a martindale Golok style...

An 11" golok...hmm

If it tapered from 1/4 to 1/8, would you be happy with the performance?