UK Issue Machetes. Real or Fake?

F

FIUman

Joined
Nov 11, 2025
Messages
43
Does anyone know how to tell if a UK golok pattern machete is authentic or fake? The markings are apparently faked along with the blades so that is of little use.
 
You're gonna want to post some detail images of the marks on the blade, the handle, the sheath and the fixtures on the sheath.
 
Danke42 said:
You're gonna want to post some detail images of the marks on the blade, the handle, the sheath and the fixtures on the sheath.
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Well, I have a few but my question is more generalist. Is there a standard where we can say X item is genuine UK MoD issue and Y item does not conform to due to markings, finish, materials, etc. I know, for instance, that I can purchase a current manufactured Martindale UK MoD style golok but what's being sold as Martindale now is not even in the same category of quality of materials, fitting, finishing etc as the Martindales made in the UK prior to the move to Thailand. I could ask the same question of the so called UK MoD survival knife. How does one tell issued and I assumed MoD quality inspected machetes, survival knife etc from what I see on the market bearing faked stampings?
 
I note that NATO stock numbers and Crown inspection/acceptance marking (broad arrow) are more or less faked with impunity on these sort of blades.
 
Very surprising that his Majesty's Government would authorize low cost machetes for the squaddies.
 
There can still be indications based on the APPEARANCE of the marks. The specific tooling marks from manufacturing, including the identifying stampings, are often difficult to accurately copy.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
There can still be indications based on the APPEARANCE of the marks. The specific tooling marks from manufacturing, including the identifying stampings, are often difficult to accurately copy.
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Very interesting as that is what I was thinking as well. I can't seem to post photos here as I'm not using one of the approved photo host services.
 
rjdankert said:
Images posted in threads need to be available on the internet.

What information did you get that you were using a non-approved source?

You might get specific help here:
https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/tech-support-general-q-a-site-feedback-more.679/


Bob
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When i tried loading photos and saw the list of approved sites, none of whom I use, I knew this was not going to happen. I don't want to challenge site security measures but I normally just snap a quick photo with my phone and load. It's no big deal. I'll just stick to dialog without images for my posts.
 
FIUman said:
When i tried loading photos and saw the list of approved sites, none of whom I use, I knew this was not going to happen. I don't want to challenge site security measures but I normally just snap a quick photo with my phone and load. It's no big deal. I'll just stick to dialog without images for my posts.
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You just have to have them hosted somewhere else and you link the URL. All you have to do is use IMG code tags on either side of the image URL. This works for any images from anywhere on the web that you might want to post here, including photos you find online of examples that look like your own.
 
Just use postimgcc itll decrease the quality a bit but it’s the easiest to use and dont need an account. Not sure why it isn’t recommended more on here.
 
My opinion would be reduced image quality (or no images at all) is a hard pass when trying to tell if something is fake or not.

These are $30 tools, issued to soldiers who will almost immediately abuse them. Worrying about if one's "real" or not is a fair enough personal choice but it doesn't really matter.

Folks here are helpful but most are smart enough not to buy a pig in a poke.
 
Danke42 said:
Very surprising that his Majesty's Government would authorize low cost machetes for the squaddies.
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Danke42, Way back in 1996 I did an article on the issue Golok known by the British soldiers as a "Tree Knocker" as it was not a good cutter. Same for the MOD Survial knife which I had the misfortune to have to sharpen for a man on a SOG RECON Team, which was launching out of our camp into Cambodia. From my experience the British Government, has until recently always taken "Cheap" over good when it came to issuing gear to the Squaddies. Their 1956 pattern web gear, they pack that went with it, did not endear it self to the troops. As late as 1987 when I was in Brunei at the British Army Jungle Warfare Course (Excellent Course!) almost all the instructors bought and carried local made parangs over issued Goloks. I still have the parang given to me, much better cutter that the Golok. Their Quartermaster (Supply Officer) was complaining that they were still experimenting with a Jungle boot, which was basically a High Top sneaker, when the U.S. jungle boots was much superior and had been around since 1964, or at least that I was when I got my first pair issued. There is a video out there about the British/Indonesian Confortation on You Tube "Jungle Green".Some Goloks shown, but listen to the men's comments on the issued British Jungle Boot. John
 
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John A. Larsen said:
Danke42, Way back in 1996 I did an article not the issue Golok known bty the British soldiers as a "Tree Knocker" as it was not a good cutter. Same for the MOD Survial knife which I had the misfortune to have to sharpen for a man on a SOG RECON Team, which was launching out of our camp into Cambodia. From my experience the British Government, has until recently always taken "Cheap" over good when it came to issuing gear to the Squaddies. Their 1956 pattern web gear, they pack that went with it, did not endear it self to the troops. As late as 1987 when I was in Brunei at the British Army Jungle Warfare Course (Excellent Course!) almost all the instructors bought and carried local made parangs over issued Goloks. I still have the parang given to me, much better cutter that the Golok. Their Quartermaster (Supply Officer) was complaining that they were still experimenting with a Jungle boot, which was basically a High Top sneaker, when the U.S. jungle boots was much superior and had been around since 1964, or at least that I was when I got my first pair issued. There is a video out there about the British/Indonesian Confortation on You Tube "Jungle Green".Some Goloks shown, but listen to the men's comments on the issued British Jungle Boot. John
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Well on the plus side they've had lovely dress uniforms. Not many people can pull off those hats.
 
I sharpened and cleaned up this issue machate (Elwell golok) for a friend. Her dad received it from some British Army fellas he trained with and who were based in Sg in the 60s.They were standard issue in Malaya although many indigenous scouts/trackers used their own parangs. I prefer my own local parang as well (last pic). I think the Martindales evolved from the Elwell golok.
 

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spyken said:
I sharpened and cleaned up this issue machate (Elwell golok) for a friend. Her dad received it from some British Army fellas he trained with and who were based in Sg in the 60s.They were standard issue in Malaya although many indigenous scouts/trackers used their own parangs. I prefer my own local parang as well (last pic). I think the Martindales evolved from the Elwell golok.
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I like your parang! John
 
here are some pictures of the logos on both the blade and the canvas sheath, and the MOD broadarrow markings on my friend's Elwell Golok - both the canvas scabbard and the parang would have markings.
 

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