DFLE vs CS Bolo Machete

Can a well balanced bowie be as useful as a machete? Can a heavy machete out chop a big bowie? The problem with many big chopper bowies is that they are too heavy to slash through light vegetation well. If I am going to take only one big knife into the Altamaha, to use for slashing and chopping and splitting wood, should I choose one of my machetes or a bowie? To answer this question, I chose to put my best chopper machete against my best chopper bowie. The Cold Steel Bolo has a 16 3/8" heavy blade of 5/64" thick 1055 steel. It has a polypropylene handle. The Scrap Yard Dog Father LE has a 10" blade of 1/4" thick SR77 steel and a Respirene C handle. Both weigh about a pound, give or take an ounce.

This downed Black Gum limb took just two whacks with the CS.

The DFLE did it one blow, breaking the limb. I alternated between the two knives as I continued to chop up the limb. The bolo chops well, but the DFLE does better. This is surprising considering the extra length of the machete blade.

On to splitting oak. The machete hung up bad and I had to beat it back out with my baton.

The DFLE easily split the oak in just a few blows.

Afterward I slashed some pines and vines and the DFLE was still plenty sharp to do it cleanly. It and my RTAK II are my best "machete bowies", but the DFLE handles better and chops better.

I continue to be impressed by the versatility of the DFLE. Hello Swamp!

nice review vic.
I've always wondered the same thing myself.

I was just kind of clearing a little trail on the riverbank behind my house and I used the DFLE only.
I chopped through tons of small sumac trees with such ease, and slashed through tangled bunches of vines easily too, its just freaking awesome.
this knife really can do it all.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Nice review Vic.
the dfle is clearly superior but you must consider the price difference

Since I already own both of them, that was not a consideration, only which one to take with me. In performance to price, good machetes beat all bowies all the time.

I have been looking into those CS machetes, I also have been looking into those Bark River goloks as a kind of hybrid in between of a chopper Bowie and a machete.

the goloks look pretty nice.
the coldsteel machettes actually chop really well.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
if your talking about the cheap ones.

the Bark River golok is like $150 but I want one bad

150 is not bad at all!
I thought they were more than that!
they're not as big as I thought though, the blade is only 11" long.
I thought it was going to be like at least 15".
still they're awesome.
do they make axes now?
I saw an adrvertisement on knifeforums and it included axes.

if I ever bought a barkie, it would either be a bravo 1, with some kind of burl handle.
or a golok.
if they're only 150$ I say go for it.

idk
http://www.jerzeedevil.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18560
love em

wow, I think they have more bladelength because they have no tip.
they do look really nice.

I have the CS bolo, panga, barong, and bowie machetes, the Condor Jungle bowie, combat machete, Inca knives (10" and 12"), Puerto Rican 14", and 18" el salvador models. I have 4 Ontario 12" machetes, one 18" military, and the Wordern Special Forces model, and the Tramontina bolo, 18" and 22", a Collins 22", and a Martindale bolo. The pangas and bolos tend to be better choppers. My favorite machetes are the Tramontinas, but the heavier CS and Ontarios are better choppers.

wow Vic

How do you like the Wordern?

Well it is sure scary to look at, but as far as I can tell it chops like any other Ontario 18" machete.

Darn, I thought it did something special.
I was gona get one but I already have a ontario 18in.

Btw: I got an A on my project, thanks bro

what was your project on?

Vietnam
Vic helped me out which was awesome. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
long live the yard!

I have a couple Bark River Northwind brush swords and they totally rock. They will out chop my Busse AK-47 without breaking a sweat. They are basically longer and pointier goloks. I also have a custom golok on order, it was supposed to be done last month, but I'm still waiting.

If Bark River makes it I believe you, Ted. Maybe one day I'll get one of BRKTs big ones.

I have seen you bush swords, wicked.

Whats your custom golok look like?

Cool Comparison Horn Dog. It's hard to beat a good machete for the low price. I used my CS Kukri for many years outdoors before I got my Busse FBM. Now I prefer it. There are so many styles of machetes out there and they are usually cheap and
easy to obtain.

Good job again Victor!

I knew the DFLF would prevail in the end. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

That knife is just such a bruiser/fighter/chopper/camp knife. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

We took on 18 inches today of new snow but one day I will get the opportunity to take my DFLE out and play. Until then please keep the inspiration high with your tests! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Cabin fever is pretty bad these days. The worse snowfall total in Wisconsin history this season. I can't wait till we can go out and play again!

Thanks Vic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

peace.

Well done and great review HD! I was kinda suprised by the machete with being able to split the oak, but not suprised with the DFLE.

yea rub it in bro

rub it in

guess who FINALLY got himself a HI Cherokee rose?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I really want a Golok, but I cant justify the cost right now.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

BUT

That Bravo1 really makes me smile...I been jonesin for one since they came out...It is my personal favorite barkie

I just caught the barkie bug <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

ohhh, I think I'm thinking of the brush swords, and thats why I thought the goloks were longer.
do the brush swords come in two different sizes?
I thought I remembered someone saying that.

busse ak-47's don't chop that great do they?
I mean, their not that forward heavy are they?

the goloks are still pretty long

that DFLE does look versitile, what about your sheffield golok. I think it would bind much less than a machete

Yes, golok is a very good chopper. I probably won't need to do much chopping, so I may just carry a 18" Tramontina and a YK. But if I camp down there, I'll be carrying my DFLE as the big knife.

I believe the DF may be the next to join the pack...(yeah, like I need another knife right now!). Very informative review HD, thanks!

Great review Vic.

Hey guys take a look at the Bark river "Bay De Noc" I am seriously considering one http://www.knivesshipfree.com/Bark-River...ffb519ce13e2ae8

9.5 inch blade
14.75 inches overall

Great review ,I have both those blades myself. I have a hard time deciding between
the CS Norse Hawk and the DFLE. I have customized the norse quite a bit. The hak is a great balance of light weight to usefulness. It is still pretty snowy here so I have not gone out much.

I found the handle on the CS bolo to be to big for my small hands. I liked the regular kukuri machete better than the bolo.

I find I usually agree with Horndog on knives because we have similar likes and dislikes. I am especially fond of the DFLE. I think I am going to have the DFLE and the Chris Reeve Inyoni as my bush tools this year. Last year it was the Norse hawk and the SS4. The Inyoni should strap to the custom Rainwalker leather sheath and make a great companion to the DFLE.

I am also going to be taking my bow with me this year. I feel like I should have a horse but the Kawi quad will have to suffice.

I agree about the handles on some of the CS machetes. They are too big even for my hands. In the past, I have always carried a big knife or machete into the Altamaha swamps to hack my way through the thick parts and dispatch rattlers and water moccasins. The CS kukris (the cheap thin ones) were great for the swamp. Here are some other useful swamp knives:


This is my old, well-used combo from the late 1980s.

My new one will be this or the same with the DFLE instead of the Chopweiler.

Great review, Vic.

That DFLE is just hard to beat. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

A good machete is great and less expensive, but if I was going to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere with one or the other, I'd rather have the DFLE. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

+1 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I can't wait for my custom Rainwalker leather sheath for my DFLE especially after seeing DMelones.

I had a heck of a time deciding on a companion blade for the DFLE. You need something for eating and other small chores. I considered the Swarden ,Mule ,Strider ED,SS4(the SS4 and DFLE look great together especially as my SS4 is satin) Chinook3 and even a Buck Hartsook which I don't even have yet.
I finally decided on the Chris Reeve Inyoni which I got from a beloved fellow forum member.

I decided the companion needed to be stainless because I plan to do a lot of cooking and food prep. I used a carbon Mora to put sour cream on a fajitas and got one heck of a stain. The SS4 was a serious contender. I especially liked how they were the top of the Scrapyard line in big and small blades. The SS4 was a little big especially the handle.

The Inyoni is a great little knife but what really clinched it was it comes with a fantastic leather sheath. It may need some darkening to match the DFLE sheath but it will strap to it without adding much width.

I think you can do better than a Swiss army knife for a companion for the DFLE Horndog? How about one of those little Barkies or even a Culty?

I admit I don't get the SAK thing? Why do people like those crappy knives with some crappy tools? INOX is awful steel. I bet if they were made in China to exactly the same quality no one would like them? One thing I do like about most SAK's is the knives however crappy at least have decent geometry and can actually cut.

The SAK stays, very useful. Maybe this one as dinner knife.

that a barkie wet enviro?

Yes, with a "penetrator point" I added. 12C27 steel.

Now that is a sexy knife. I love the penetrator point as well. I think it was Ironballs who did a very nice pen point on his DFLE. The DFLE and Wet barkie both with modded pen points and matching sheaths would make a fantastic set.

I have to admit I like the Wet Barkie much more than the Bravo1. It just seems more elegant. It fits my needs for a companion although it is as big as I would want to go. The Wet Barkie is what you would get if you wanted a German to make a Mora. Beautiful finish ,high quality and comfortable handle same basic blade(a little beefier) ,the same steel and 10 times the cost.

Horn Dog, now's the time if you want a Bark River Golok. They have scheduled a run of them, and you can pre-order now. I’m afraid it will be a long time until Mike makes any more. The last dry spell for Barkie goloks lasted for years.

vic, do you have a golok?
you said it was a good chopper, so I thought you had one.
if you do, do you think you could do a chop off with the DFLE?

I might have misunderstood you.
but if you do have one it would be great.
I don't have any barkies and I happen to have 150$ set aside for a big chopper and if this could outdo a DFLE I would consider getting one.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Horn Dog, now's the time if you want a Bark River Golok. They have scheduled a run of them, and you can pre-order now. I’m afraid it will be a long time until Mike makes any more. The last dry spell for Barkie goloks lasted for years. [/quo
Ive been wanting a BRKT golok for a while. How do you go about preordering one?

I have a Sheffield golok. I already did a chop off last year. It beat every knife I owned. The only knife I have now that could out chop it is the FFBM, but both it and the golok are too heavy bladed to use all day like the machete or DFLE.

ohhhh man.
I'm sorry.

it's the same golok that bark river is selling right now right?

and does anyone have a link to that chopoff?

I think we're talking about a different one though bewcause the regular "Golok" I'm looking at only weighs 16 ounces.
???

No, mine is NOT the Bark River Golok. Mine is heavier. The BRKT Golock weighs about 16oz, close to the DFLE. My Golock, a British SAS model weighs over 20 oz, like the DFCG, but is much more blade heavy due to the saber grind and the shape of the blade.
Here is my golok next to the DFLE.

I know it gets confusing. One company's panga looks like another's barong, looks like another's bolo. I just call them all choppers.
Some are called Pangas, which is what Africans call a machete.

Some are called bolos or bolo machetes, after a large knife used in the Phillipines.

What the heck is this one? Becker calls it a "Patrol Machete". It looks like some goloks I've seen but more like a cross between a kukri and a bolo.

Then there is the Barong, a tool/fighting knife used in Indonesia.

And one of my favorites, a kukri/bowie hybrid Cold Steel called the MTC or mini terrain chopper.

And there are the more familiar latin style machetes that most Americans use.
I have used all these and more, and my choice is the DFLE Bowie for my next swamp trip. Done.

I too have a brkt golok, nice blade. the steel rusts easier than S7 from what I have seen but it came with a wicked convex edge.
I did not care for the sheath.

Vic,
that prototype is cool.

ohhh, sorry vic, I was wayyy confused.
thanks for clearing that up.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I´ve got a Linder machete with 18" long and 0.16" thick blade and I just love it!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I think it´s 440 stainless steel. It costs about $30-40 with cordura sheath.

Compared to my Busse FBM


Tested counting chopps on this 6" birch and after 27 chopps it was off <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

That Linder looks very nice. There are some great deals on inexpensive choppers.
You don't need a DFLE or FBM to play in the bush.
The cold steel Hawks and machetes are all good once they have had a bit of finishing done one them. I particularly liked the regular sized kukuri machete and the Norse hawk.

The Himalayan Imports kukuris are very nice choppers.

Becker should be back in business soon although they can't make the patrol machete anymore as they don't make tooling that big anymore.

Since this is a Scrapyard site I have to recommend a great knife for the bush that is available on the secondary market at around retail. The Hookguard is an awesome knife and the Yardguard is all right as well. They chopp almost as well as the DF's because of the recurve and are usually a heck of a lot cheaper and easier to find. They are also much easier to wear on your person than a DF. That extra couple inches on the DF's is always hanging up on doors and tables and trees.