Trying out my new Parang design today

Bill Siegle

Bill Siegle

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2000
Messages
6,758
I read an article in the recent Tactical Knives magazine about Malaysian Parangs. I ordered a couple to play with but couldn't resist making one right away. What I came up with is made from 1/4in thick 5160 with G10 scales. It is 18 5/8in overall with a 12 3/8in blade tip to handle. I left the first few inches of blade in front of the handle unsharpened. I believe this is traditional so the user can choke up on the blade. I also left a little bit of that area squared up for scraping a metal match. I took it out today and busted up two chuncks of fat wood I had sitting outside. Got it done really fast and the Parang was very efficiant at the task. The Parang feels like it offers mechanical advantage similar to a kukri but with the entire sweet spot on a flatter plane in edge to work.

Parangchoppinfatwood.jpg
 
Very nice, Bill. Looks like a real workhorse. With the known entity/highly respected steel and excellent heat treat, I'm sure a traditionally styled blade like this would inspire a lot of confidence in the minds of your customers.

Just out of curiosity, based on what you've seen thus far, how do you think the performance would be affected by adding two inches to the blade but going with 5/32nds blade stock?
 
I said this yesterday when a friend shared it on fb and I'll say it again today, this is one of the best looking parangs I have ever seen. I love the blade geometry and that handle looks awesome!
 
Excellent design,love that handle it don't look like it's going anywhere.Just ordered me 2 parangs from a friend of mine in the Philippines,I think they are going to be fantastic choppers.Been getting into Filipino blades lately have some Jest bolos they are great and they chop excellent.
 
mine sir !!!!!!!!!! I already have your paypal how much should I send :) whatever you do don't sell it to bobby or collin they are always trying to beat me damn it.

really though bill that is a killer parang design. looks like it would be super useful in the woods.
 
That looks awesome Bill. I might have to order a thinner one in time for this summer's Mischief!
 
Have to agree with everyone...that design is a real, real winner. You should probably just go ahead and do a run of them ;).
 
really nice Bill!
I have been using parangs as my main chopper here in the western rainforest for a while now and really love 'em.
 
That's actually probably the best lookin' parang I've ever laid eyes on! Take the blade out to about 18" & you've got my $!
 
Thanks for all the kind words guys :D I love the Asian blade shapes. It's fun to play with all the different shapes and sizes. One thing that makes design easier is trying shapes that a well tested and proven. I am always amazed at seeing different people's "perfect" knives. Whether Kukri, parang, machete, or panga, they all work in their given environments. I know there is some cultural tradition to many of these blade shapes but I truly believe that they survive/thrive based on their usefulness of tradition.
 
Bill,
It looks like a left chisel or hollow ground.
The profile of a Ray Mears.

Maybe a partial tang with a shorter OAL say 15"?

[video=youtube;_2aS2ltY9kU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2aS2ltY9kU[/video]
 
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