This is the written review:
The Parangs (also the Kukri, Golok, Barong, etc.) appeal is that its somewhere in between a knife and an axe, replacing both. When you get closer to the knife or vice versa in your design you loose your advantage and the blade is not as effective. The Condor Bushcraft Parang is on the heavy side for a Parang and it's blade is so obtuse the result was a tired arm and a blade that bounced off the wood more than cut it. In splitting this Parang is king, doing this task with ease. It is clear the Condor leans more toward the axe than most Malaysian Parangs and in that effort it fails. The El Salvadorian blade needs to be lightened and thinned to be a better tool and to do anything other than split with. As it is now you would be better served with a belt axe or hachette.
The
Gerber Bear Grylls Parang was surprisingly good. It is lighter and thinner than the Condor Bushcraft Parang. This lightness made the blade easy to handle without tiring nearly as much as with the Condor. The Condor Bushcraft Parang Machete did feel like a sharpened crowbar in hand and in use it was not alive at all. The thinner blade of the Gerber was the best slicer and general performer in the woods. I was amazed at the differences between these two big knives.
Note: After returning home, during the cleaning process I noticed the Gerber Parangs handle was slightly loose. The handle screws need to be tightened and using Locktight for safety is a good idea.
Specifications:
Condor Bushcraft Parang Machete
Length/Blade:*
33 cm (13 in)
Length/Overall:*
49.7 cm ( 19.5 in)
Spine thickness at Bolster:
4 mm (5/32 in)
Weight:*
692 grams (24.4 oz)
Blade: 1075 high carbon steel
Polypropylene handle with lanyard hole.
Black ballistic Nylon belt sheath.
Made in El Salvador
Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete
Length/Blade:*
34.5 cm (13 3/8 in)
Length/Overall:*
49.7 cm ( 19.5 in)
Spine thickness at Bolster:
2.5 mm (3/32 in)
Weight:*
521 grams (18.4 oz)
Blade: 1055 high carbon steel
Polypropylene handle with lanyard hole.
Black ballistic Nylon belt sheath.
Made in China
Traditional Parang
Length/Blade:*
29.7 cm (11 3/4 in)
Length/Overall:*
45.6 cm ( 18 in)
Spine thickness at Bolster:
5 mm (3/16 in)
Weight:*
490 grams (17.3 oz)
Blade: 5160 Tempered Spring Steel
Wooden handle never with lanyard hole.
Wooden sheath.
Made in Malaysia
Traditional Malaysian Parangs are handmade of recycled 5160 Spring Steel. Both the Gerber and Condor had bar stock high carbon steel with its edge being well heat treated. Neither Parang being field tested had the three different edges (front area very sharp for skinning, middle wider used for chopping, back end, very fine for carving). Because of their specifications and handmade quality traditionally made Parangs can usually out preform any production Parang.
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