CONDOR GOLOK Machete - *UPDATE*- Test and Review

[Shaper]

When I first saw this piece I fell in love with the look right away. It was the first time in a while where I had a very strong desire have a blade right then and there. So, uncharacteristically of me, I put one on order hoping for the best...this was what arrived at my doorstep a few days ago...

Condor "Golok" Machete

Blade Material: 1075 Carbon Steel, 54RC
Overall Length: 20.00 inch
Blade Length: 14.00 inch
Blade Thickness: 0.25 inch w/ distal taper to point
Edge Profile: Convex Grind
Handle Material: Walnut, Brass Pinned w/ Brass Lanyard Hole














Without yet field testing, I can say that Condor did not disappoint me in their construction of this blade. The ergos are absolutely wonderful for a machete. Evey aspect of its design seems well thought out, minimalistic yet intrinsically useful. All function and no flash. Very nice, I like!

The balance is about two inches above the start of the convex grind. However, the angle and design of the handle in relation to the tip of the machete pushes the vast majority of the feel to the front of the blade when the Golok is held relaxed in the hand. This, in my opinion, is just about perfect for function of the machete's primary duty.

The handle feels so nice I do not even want to put it down, and I also suspect that the knob on the end could help lessen hand fatigue during prolonged use.

The length seems near perfect for functional cutting yet not too long to be clumsy or unwieldy in tight brush or close quarters either while in use, or while sheathed during transit.

Everything about the feel of this machete screams quality while holding it. The grind is even, well honed, and complete. Sharp would be a understatement. The walnut handle is dense and mounted perfectly solid against the tang. The powder coat is smooth, tight, and adequately thick.

The only complaint I have whatsoever is that it must of been dropped lightly on the tip at the factory (looks like it hit concrete) because of the little scuff on the tip (nothing that can't be sharpened out in about a minute on the stone, however)

Overall, I am very happy with this purchase, and I feel that it was well worth the 30 bucks I dished out. No regrets so far. Actually, I am grinning ear to ear just looking at her right now.

Be sure to keep your eye out for my updated field test where I give this beauty some battle scars and proceed to put her through an intense trial of her fortitude and real worth! Is she all show and no go? We will find out soon enough.

Stay tuned!

[Regulator]

Damn... that is a fine looking machete. Look forward to your field report. If it doesn't snap in half when you use it, they'll have you to thank for my purchase.

[Snapshot7.62]

I've heard good things about these, looking forward to a further review.

[jor-el]

http://www.condortk.com/products.php?type=13

Curious. They seem to be picking up several models/designs that Cold Steel is dropping.

[jor-el]

Without yet field testing, YADA, YADA, YADA, ...

Stay tuned!

You bought this in 2008 and STILL haven't done anything with them? GET TO IT!

[lunchy]

I reckon for $30 you can't go wrong there.
Personally, I like to know the limits of my tools so I'd use it and massively abuse it, then if it wangs, I know the limit of it. And then I'd buy another one.

Enjoy.

[Wastelander]

Very nice! I'm surprised at your statements that it came sharp--most coated machete blades come very dull and you have to file off the coating from the bevel and sharpen it yourself. I trust you will be taking pictures of it's chopping performance?

[Shaper]

You bought this in 2008 and STILL haven't done anything with them? GET TO IT!

LOL...tell that to my sister-in-law and her POS camera I borrowed.

ETA: That or I wasn't smart enough to notice that she didnt have the date set.

[Shaper]

Very nice! I'm surprised at your statements that it came sharp--most coated machete blades come very dull and you have to file off the coating from the bevel and sharpen it yourself. I trust you will be taking pictures of it's chopping performance?

Yeap...I will be taking as many pictures that I can. I am also going to try to dig around in the basement tonight for a small, more traditional camp machete that I have laying around somewhere for comparisons sake.

I will even put a fresh edge on the old one to try and even the playing field a bit.

[Shaper]

Very nice! I'm surprised at your statements that it came sharp--most coated machete blades come very dull and you have to file off the coating from the bevel and sharpen it yourself. I trust you will be taking pictures of it's chopping performance?

Oh, and on the sharpness...I just shaved the hairs off my arm with it. Pretty sharp for a production machete just out the box.

[somberbear]

every condor i have picked up had a nice edge on it... of course it cost a bit more then most my other machetes...

now i just gotta hunt down a sheath i like my golok does nice around here.

[Big B]

That's a very nice looking machete! I look forward to a report after some use

[Veritas]

Damn... that is a fine looking machete. Look forward to your field report. If it doesn't snap in half when you use it, they'll have you to thank for my purchase.

Same here, it looks awesome, so I hope it works well also. I have two kukris, but no machete. Also no axe, but that's just embarrassing so I don't tell anyone....

Can't wait to here how well it works!

[Hooligan]

Condor machetes have the best factory edge out of any production machete from what i have seen. I have several machetes and the Condors i own have the best edge. Also if you like the Golok the Parang machete is another option you might like. I have used my Condor Bolo to chop lots of wood. I would not think twice about the quality of anything Condor makes.

I really have gotten into buying machetes lately. I personally would take a Condor over a geber, cold steel or ontario. Condor is the high end branch of imacasa. The edges on the condors are much better. I will say some factory edges from condor vary from shaving sharp to just pretty sharp. Even the ones that aren't shaving sharp are still better then any other factory machete imo. They do cost more then a lot of other machetes but you get a very useable edge right away. Other brands you have to file or use a belt sander to get an edge.

Also with the condors be careful if you wipe off the blade i got a pretty nice cut through the rag i was cleaning it off with.

[sworbeyegib]

I've been drooling over a whole bunch of condor knives and machetes... I can't wait to see it in action!

[bigmattdaddywack]

I take it the blade is forged, correct?
I have read that some of their blades are cast using some new, high tech process.

[zombievt]

I've had a Condor Golok for a few months now and love it. I've been clearing trees off the side yard and have used the golok to limb some of the smaller stuff out and have, of course, used it to take some of the saplings down. I also took a small (5" or so) diameter tree down. The golok doesn't cut like a machete, imo. It throws chips much like an axe.

[Jeriah]

Huh...the Golok looks awesome; I'm not fond of the looks of their other machetes. (They look aesthetically non-pleasing, and also do not convey the impression that they would be terribly effective.) So...good choice!

[zombievt]

Jeriah, don't let the looks fool you, Condor makes excellent machetes.

One of their Bushlore fixed blades is on my short list.

[somberbear]

if i recall the new rat lite machete has a condor blade and rat does the micarta work and contracts the sheath... and its rather impressive.

i have to say condors line of machetes are impressive in hand. the rubber handles save your hand and can be a better grip then most the wood handles or plastics i have run across. the blades on my condors tend to be a hair thicker and the edge is nice from day 1... the coating on it is also a lot higher grade then the dip varnish on most cheaper machetes(but still not top like rat etc). the leather sheath for my larger condor is also a great fit with a good swivel.

the golok isnt really a machete... its a thick chunk of steel pretty short .. but has a lotta mass on it. i still gotta work over the handle on mine to make it more comfy.

[bigmattdaddywack]

I think I am going to get one when I can

[Besolo]

If you guys are interested in goloks, check this review: http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/valiant1.html. Jimbo is reviewing a survival golok made by Valiant Co. (http://www.valiantco.com/). Handmade in Australia (although an Indonesian design). A little more expensive than Condor (I'll think I'll buy them both except Valiant is out of stock!).

[Shaper]

Ok peoples...I just got back from some light field testing of the Golok. I will be updating the review here in a few when I get everything uploaded.

Some very interesting results indeed!

[Shaper]

So today I figured would be a good enough day as any to test the chopping ability of my brand-spankin'-new Condor Golok in comparison with a few other cutting tools I had handily laying about.

In this particular test, I took a good sized chunk of a tree that I removed about two months ago for my neighbor to which he was so kind as to allow me to bring it home to add to next years woodpile.(in which I have been procrastinating to the max in finishing the bucking and splitting ) I wanted something rather large and stable as to not add unnecessary variables during the test through unwanted movement or give in the chopping medium.


The first competitor was my trusty and rusty Rothco ( *gasp*...I know right?) 12" camp machete with a nice fresh edge. The second in line is my Cold Steel "Special Forces" Shovel (with a not-so-fresh edge ) thrown in as a trivial, yet ever enjoyable, wild card. Its overall length and weight is right there with the Golok, so why the hell not? And rounding out the pack is the piece in question, the Condor Golok.

I allowed for 20 solid strikes for each tool into the wood with no work gloves at a normal paced "working" level of strength put behind each blow. After I would then compare contrast the ease of cutting, the efficiency, the durability, and the overall feedback to the hand. Here are the results...


First, the Rothco 12" camp machete. Out of the three it was the lightest and most controllable. Very little feedback to the hand, and did as well a one would expect for a machete of its size and more "traditional" design. I have had this little guy for years and have had no durability problems to speak of. The only thing is that I have always wished that it had ~2 more inches of usable blade to help the chopping power and balance to help combat fatigue during prolonged use.


Second, the Cold Steel Shovel. I have had this particular shovel for about 6 months which was bought as a replacement, as upon my last trip back home, my father fell in love with my previous shovel and it somehow decided it should stay for an "extended visit" with him. I have used this one for various tasks during its brief tenure in my care and I have not sharpened it since I took it out of the box. (Hey, don't judge...its a shovel right? ) Not surprising to me, the CS Shovel did just as well in chopping as both other blades in this comparison, with the only drawbacks being more bounce back and a bit more perceived effort in doing the same job. I feel it would of done much better with a fresh edge as well.


A finally the Condor Golok. The weight balance made the Golok easier to swing than the others, but unfortunately that is where its benefits ended. The blade had a tendency to skip sideways during cutting and would bounce off completely during initial face cuts, which I did not even count towards the striking total of 20. The vibration transmitted when either of these occurred was far above the other blades in this comparison. A sad day for this hopeful Golok owner to say the least.