WHAAA!!!!!!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

But... but... SR-77 is like the perfect sword steel!

But a large Khukri might be nice, too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm with Shaolin on this one.. I hit a Limestone rock with my Tram' and it knocked a bit of rock off.. Because it was pretty cheap the dent in the Tram's edge wasn't even worth swearing about!

To me machetes do donkey work and that means they need to be tough as hell and dirt cheap!

I would have bought a Bark River Golok if Mike had gone for A2 not 1095 because it has such great lines- but that Bark River/Ontario makeover machete is the best P.R. job ever imho.. It's just silly money.

paul, that's discriminatory toward the donkey!

I apologise unreservedly to all donkey's currently reading this thread! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Just an FYI, they started shipping last week. Mine will be here by Wednesday.

Your reasoning and logic are impeccable, Paul. If all we bought were the knives we really needed to do the job, all we would have is Moras and Tramontinas! And an axe. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Depends on the design of the Golok.

See my post above about the Bark River Golok vs. the DFLE.

The DFCG has some power advantages over the DFLE. But, IMO the DFLE has certain advantages as well.

IMO, the Bark River Golok is a darn "Good" chopper.
I haven't honestly done a head-to-head chop fest like Vic does between my Bark River Golok and my DFLE, but I expect the DFLE to be a little better.
Although, because of the superior full convex grind of the Bark River Golok and very fast speed with good power, I wouldn't be terribly surprised to see the Golok beat the DFLE. I expect the Golok with it's edge geometry to BITE VERY HARD and DEEP.

But, I am very confident the Golok is better at limbing (most limbs) and lighter vegetation.

And I am pretty confident the DFLE is tougher for those who feel toughness is the end-all be-all.

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Khukri would be sweet!

From what I’ve heard, they are doing the artificial handle materials first. Goloks with natural materials must wait their turn.

Nevertheless they are half a year behind schedule. I’ve waited this long. Why shouldn’t I have a little fun while I’m hanging on Bark River’s tenterhooks?

I am not sure I can agree with preferring A2 over 1095 for a Golok.

I am a big fan of A2 and rank it very high on my "knife" use preference of steels for "most" knives.

From what I have seen, INFI is still the king in my book for "Most" knives. But, not all.
From what I have seen with two knives I have used a little and a lot of reading, I would think 3V might rank a possible second followed by A2 and SR-101.

But, I don't think A2 is as tough as 1095. 1095 is not very fancy, but it is cheap and reasonably tough with decent edge properties. 1095 is still a worthy knife steel. But, prone to rust and not the best at any one thing. I don't see "enough" value to desire 1095 over better options for most any knife under 10".

The Bark River Golok has a 11.5" blade. I wish it were made of INFI, but Busse would probably charge 2-3 times more.

Still... Bark River prices seem to keep going up. The new run of Golok's from the popular dealers is running close to $200.00.
I paid about $150 for mine a few years ago when the Golok was made with 0170-6.

If I didn't already have one in 0170-6, I would buy one in 1095 if I could find one closer to $150 - $170 range.... But, I am being cheap. I am confident the 1095 one is still worthy. Mike did upgrade a few things like handle bolts.



I have to agree with this. $125 or so to put a fancy handle on, put a good edge on and provide a sheath for a $20 machete doesn't make much sense to me.

On the other hand, those are often the VERY SAME details that seperate MANY production knives from customs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

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I have used machetes for years. I have a garage full of them. They are cheap workhorses. But I have always liked them. If I am willing to spend $100 to $300 on a fine belt knife, like a Busse or Bark River when I can get a Mora for a fraction of that amount that performs as well or better in most situations, it is no more crazy to spend a similar amount on a finely crafted machete. At least that's my thinking. I doubt that the Bark River machete will do any more work in a day in my hands than a $6.00 Tramontina. And I could skin as many squirrels with a Mora as I could a Meaner Street, too. We are paying for the craftsmanship, materials, and beauty as much as the performance. Just my opinion.

And I consider that a fair opinion Vic. That is why I stated:




A $700 Randall knife can be the same bar stock as a $30 cheap knife somewhere else. And you are right, depending on what you intend to do with it, VERY often the $30 knife will get the job done just as well as a $700 knife..... especially if we have to reprofile and sharpen the expensive knives same as the cheap ones. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

If using the same steel, it comes down to design, heat-treatment, fit & finish and....... name on the blade.


I found it interesting in the case of the Bark River customized Ontario machete that (I am pretty confident) Mike just used Ontario's standard heat treatment. Mike is usually (like others) very proud of his "unique" and "special" heat treatment process that makes his A2 better than others.... And or most any other steel he uses better than most others using the same steel.

Yet, he is willing to concede to Ontario's cheap "production" heat-treatment. And do modifications that increase the price about 10x or so.

I don't think Mike changed much at all except putting on a satin finish, good edge profile, custom handles and sheath..... same as what you and I seem to be doing a lot.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I don't know. I guess I am just more willing to put money into certain types of knives.

Somehow a machete just seems like it should be a cheap blade that can take abuse and that if damaged, I don't worry about .... at all!

In all fairness, one thing I do like about "most" Bark River knives is that there usually isn't too much more I can do to them to make them better..... especially the blades. The handles vary. Some fit me like a glove and some I feel I need to tweak a little.

But, somehow, spending $150 on a machete sounds like spending $250 on a yard rake or shovel (????).

Yet I have a $150 Golok that I love and use.

And a $150 Northwind that is about the same size as my Tramontina and my Northwind is now worth about $300. I have used my Golok, but I have honestly never used my Northwind. I have about 3 "CHEAP" machetes I have used a LOT and yet I still won't sell my Northwind. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I guess the Golok is more similar to some of my larger knives in what I use it for and how I can control it. I don't feel like I am as likely to do damage to my Golok (?????)
Whereas, my Northwind feels like a thick machete or short sword.
If I could own the Northwind for $50 - $75, it would make it much easier to use and abuse.... I wish... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I also have a gorgeous Chenese Katana and a Criswell Wakazashi that neither have ever been used. Don't expect they ever will except possibly on some water bottles some day.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I think I am like Paul when it comes to machetes. It comes down to the way I use and abuse them. Machetes are just more prone to hitting things that will damage the blades. If I hit a rock or roll the edge on a $15 machete, I don't care. I just take it to my belt grinder and touch it up "some". I don't feel the need to get the edge or blade back to awesome condition on a cheap machete.

AND Cheap machetes work well. So, I just have a hard time paying a lot for a beater type blade (????)

I do damage to my other knives and work to fix them. But, the damage most machetes take to the edges is much more significant (short of breaking tips on knives. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

Sometimes it is about having a very nice knife......

Sometimes it is still just nice to have a CHEAP beater tool that you don't have to worry about. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

There is no right or wrong. Just different opinions.

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