Martindale golok vs Tora kukri (heavy)

[KAE1]

A trip to the woods this morning to try out the Martindale # 2 golok. I needed to clear a bit more scrub, willow and alder that has grown in and along a ditch and also cut myself a few hazel poles for stringing up some camo netting for my badger watching antics.

I have spent a fair amount of time putting an edge on the golok as out of the box it was dull. It took longer to get a good edge that it had on my kuk.I must add that I am no expert but have been pleased with what I've achieved with the kukri.

The golok felt good in the hand and nicely balanced, I have used the kuk a few times and find the sharp angles (the gold diamond shape) at the bottom of the handles uncomfortable as it digs into my hand after constant use.
Unfortunately the golok struggled on 2" poles where the kuk will go through with one well aimed sweep, removing the branches of the cut poles was no problem for either.
After twenty minutes it became clear that for 1" - 3" poles the kukri was far superior.

On to the hazel and these were good stools that I wanted to conserve. The kukri easily removed 1"- 1.5" nice and cleanly but again the golok struggled and required me to clean up afterwards with the saw. Once cut the hazel was limbed, cut to size and one end sharpened. Once more the kukri was a clear winner.
Finally I thought I'd do a few feather sticks, no prob for the kuk, the golok struggled.

Conclusion. Perhaps its my sharpening technique but the golok has not lived up to its expectations. Any hints?

Nice sunrise

Example of what I was clearing.

The golok struggled to cut cleanly

Branches no problem

The kukri cuts very cleanly

Feather stcks no probs for kukri

The Tora British Army Issue is a clear winner

Some roe dung or fewmets

A trail I cut a few years ago is now used by Red, Roe and Muntjac on a regular basis

 

[w00dsmoke]

Hence in the forces they are called Tree beaters! My kukri held a great edge and I like to think they are the Indian/Nepalese Billhook! (Buy a billhook it will outlast your kukri!)

 

[KAE1]

I've read some good reports on here and wondered if it a case of re profiling or better sharpening technique?

 

[Pablo]

I've just found my old No2 and I'm having difficulty getting to a good edge. I've been thinking about Kukris and billhooks. What Kuk is the one you're using?

Pablo.

 

[British Red]

A real, quality golok or parang really needs a draw cut to work well - it quite a skill!

Personally, I have no time for the Martindale version - a tree beater as w00dsmoke says. Its a momentum issue - not enough forward weight on too short a blade. To make a light blade work, it needs to be longer with a heavier forward balance and cut in the draw motion. Try a Valiantco parang or golok and see how well they work.

All that said - a good kuk' with a handle large enough for wetern hands (try ToraToraTora) would be hard to beat for the task you have in mind. You are welcome to a lend of my Newton Bill Hook if you want to try one?

Red

 

[FGYT]

if you havent already resharpen the Kukri to a convex grind and give it a good polish
then take a little time to get used to it again

i have a large pattern one that fits my large western hands (over size handle) and it was good with the std grind its now awsomely efficent

ATB

Duncan

 

[leon-1]

I've read some good reports on here and wondered if it a case of re profiling or better sharpening technique?

There are a couple of reasons that the Kukri won, firstly the Kukri has a better grind angle as the Martindale has quite a steep grind angle. Secondly the Kukri probably is harder than the Martindale as the Martindale is probably only about Rc 54 / 55.

Re-profile it and convex the edge, that way it holds an edge better, it will make a considerable difference.

 

[Dougster]

I'm in the process of re-profiling the dge of mine as it's nowhere near steep enough - the handle is very uncomfy, so I'm doing it again in black canvas micarta to boot.

I'll see how it goes then.

 

[KAE1]

A real, quality golok or parang really needs a draw cut to work well - it quite a skill!

Personally, I have no time for the Martindale version - a tree beater as w00dsmoke says. Its a momentum issue - not enough forward weight on too short a blade. To make a light blade work, it needs to be longer with a heavier forward balance and cut in the draw motion. Try a Valiantco parang or golok and see how well they work.

All that said - a good kuk' with a handle large enough for wetern hands (try ToraToraTora) would be hard to beat for the task you have in mind. You are welcome to a lend of my Newton Bill Hook if you want to try one?

Red

Red I think youre right about the forward weight. The golok just seemed to bounce off whereas the kuk (with a good aim which I don't achieve every time) powers through.
I may take you up on that bill hook, thanks.

 

[eraaij]

Compared to my HI khukuris the Golok is pretty useless in limbing/chopping tasks. Take a file to the golok and start putting a higher ground edge edge on it. The basic edge grind from the factory is pretty badly done and way too steep. I'm still working on mine off and on.