Scrap Yard Knife Company

DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok

Posted By: Horn Dog

DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/27/08 08:10 PM

This is a user's impressions review. No Scrap Yard or other Busse kin knives were damaged in this review.

Having spent most of the weekend outoors doing machete work and picking up dead wood, the break in the recent rains meant I could burn some wood. That meant chopping and splitting some wood.
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
I chose these three choppers for the job. Left to right:

Scrap Yard Dog Father Limited Edition. It weighs 17 oz with a 10" long, 1/4" thick, 1.75" wide flat ground blade of SR77 steel. The DFLE has a handle of Respirene C.

FE & JR Hopkinson British Special Forces Golok. It weighs 19 oz. It has an 11" long, .20" thick, 2 3/16" wide saber ground blade of Sheffield High carbon steel and a rubber handle. I recently reprofiled the edge to convex.

Bark River Knife & Tool Golok. It weighs 17 oz and has an 11" long, .21" thick, 1 5/16" wide full convex ground blade of 1095 high carbon steel. It has a full tang with riveted on black canvass micarta handles.
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
I started on this very hard dry maple. The Hopkinson golok, even with the improved edge and extra weight over the cutting edge had a hard time chopping this very hard wood.
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
I switched over to the BRKT golok. It bit deeper and chopped easier than the Hopkinson. There must be something to that full convex edge thing.
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
Then I switched over to the DFLE. It chopped better on this wood than the Hopkinson and nearly as well as the BRKT. On some other softer woods, the Hopkinson has chopped a bit better than the DFLE.
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
Then I did a little splitting of maple wood with the Brit golok. I didn't even need my baton. I just stuck the blade in and pounded the wood and blade together against the chopping block.
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
It's a splitting machine!
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
Both the DFLE and BRKT Golok did well spitting, too.
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/Burning027.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/MPbeerkiller003.jpg[/img]
But neither golok can do this ! Thunk!
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/Burning028.jpg[/img]
I'd have to honestly say that all three of these are handy around the camp.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/Burning029.jpg[/img]
As is my EDC, the famous Rat Trap folder, shown here preparing a skewer from a palmetto frond.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/burn007.jpg[/img]
Lunch time!
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/burn008.jpg[/img]
Perfect.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/burn009.jpg[/img]
The Brit golok is a slightly better splitter. The Bark River maybe a slightly better chopper. But the best all-around chopper remains my favorite, the DFLE.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/SYKCO/Burning030.jpg[/img]
Posted By: Sharp

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/27/08 08:16 PM

When I first saw this I was like, "OOH!!!!!!!!" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Another cool test. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Makes me wish I could have gotten a DFLE...
Posted By: Horn Dog

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/27/08 08:38 PM

All of these knives performed well, Sharp. I was expecting my reprofiled Brit Golok to kick some SY and BRKT butt today. But both the BRKT and DFLE are lighter and faster handling and able to do machete work on light vegetation. The Brit Golok is just too blade heavy for that. And it did no better than the DFLE in chopping that very hard wood. The BRKT cuts like a....Bark River. It you've ever used one, you'll know what I mean. My 14 year-old daughter used the BRKT golok to cut some palmetto skewers last night for a weenie roast. She was impressed with how effortlessly it slashed. Maybe I should grind a point on it so I can stick things with it. Would that make it a tanto?
Posted By: Sharp

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/27/08 09:04 PM

I found that quite interesting as well.

I was expecting the Parang style Golok to excel chopping.

As far as BRKT knives, none of them really appeal to me, besides the Aurora and Bravo-1. However, with those knives, I already have my RMD which will easily be better than both of those, especially with the convex edge you put on it.
Posted By: Shaolin

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/27/08 09:27 PM

Awesome chop-off as usual, thanks HD. I'm still waiting to get my DFCG out there for a chop-off. Are those all-beef hot dogs? Where's the beer? LOL
Posted By: Shaolin

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/27/08 09:33 PM

Sharp, I'm with you on the BRKT, so far are not appealing to me as well. I know alot of people like them, but for the money and really not that cool looking I can get a Bussekin instead, to each his/her own.
Posted By: Horn Dog

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/27/08 10:06 PM

Quote
Awesome chop-off as usual, thanks HD. I'm still waiting to get my DFCG out there for a chop-off. Are those all-beef hot dogs? Where's the beer? LOL
The store was out of the all beef franks. I got these made from chicken lips and pigs feet.
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
Think I could golok this rabbit and cook him on the fire?
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
[Linked Image from i173.photobucket.com]
Posted By: Shaolin

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/27/08 10:38 PM

If you are quick enough, LOL
Posted By: eatingmuchface

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/27/08 10:39 PM

Bark rivers...
I'll probably be getting some soon.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

some of their designs are really starting to appeal for me, and full convex really is hard to beat!
Busse is starting to do more convex grinds which is really cool.
I hope they start doing some more convex grinds.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Horn Dog

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/27/08 10:42 PM

I think I can hit him. But if I miss, I'll have to look for my golok in all that thick brush. What would Bear Do? He would look around for some long-dead one and eat it. If times get hard enough, my .22 is handy.
Posted By: Unsub

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/28/08 08:08 AM

I have had bunny burgers before. They are not bad at all. Like half way between chicken and beef burgers. Ground meat is a great way to eat wild meat if you have a lot of it because you can use it in everything.

I think one reason the golok has the curved nonsharpened front is so it can be used as a draw knife. The DFLE can be used like that as well.

The 2 best scrappers are the only 2 they promised to never make again ,the SS4 and DFLE <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Magnum22

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/28/08 03:04 PM

no dfle's ever? hm...i'm the habitual "passer upper" of sprint knives so now i'm really glad i have one. course vic makes me now regret not getting a golok. think the valiant goloks would do as well?

[Linked Image from oldjimbo.com]
Posted By: Magnum22

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/28/08 03:10 PM

this ones nice too, 18" overall.

[Linked Image from valiantco.com]
Posted By: Horn Dog

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/28/08 03:31 PM

I posted a thread recently for a SY Golok, but I really don't think most people appreciate them. The BRKT golok is just so handy around the yard, I often reach for it first, lately. Check out my fat lighter post. It cut out that heart pine in a jiffy. It slashes vegetation like a good machete, and chops very well. The Brit Parang style is purely a chopper, not nearly as versatile as the narrower BR. If the steel is good, the valiant looks similar in shape, so it might work well. After all, they are from the nations that invented them.
Posted By: Shaolin

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/28/08 05:25 PM

Never seen handles like that before on a blade.
Posted By: Rainwalker

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 07/28/08 06:49 PM

Nice work Vic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

That edge on that British Golok looks plain wicked!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: adamlau

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 10/20/08 04:38 AM

A BRKT Golok is definitely on my top tier wish list...
Posted By: DotD

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 10/20/08 06:38 AM

Very interesting post Horn Dog.
I really like the looks of the goloks.
Got my hands on a golok petok last year and really like it, but mostly use it
in the kitchen. Works good as a cleaver, and as a slicer.
Nice convex edge on it.
Cheers
[Linked Image from i292.photobucket.com]
Posted By: adamlau

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 10/20/08 06:50 AM

That is one beautiful tool you have there!
Posted By: pitman

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 10/20/08 07:16 AM

Those chicken lips and pigs feet sure taste good with mustard and ketchup eh Vic !!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: duFontaine

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 10/21/08 12:01 AM

Really good post HD!! How did the BRKT golok's edge hold up compaired to the DFLE?
Posted By: Steel Fan

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 10/22/08 03:53 AM

My guess from looking at the edge Vic has on the DFLE is that it would be just as sharp as the Golok because that looks to me to be a quite high and therefore very sharp angle/sharp edge on the DFLE. Don't know till Vic spot's this and chimes in.....but it sure looks a "very" sharp DFLE. I wonder if it ever "rolls" on the edge?

As a comparison the BRKT Golok edge would be the edge to compare others to IMHO...they come pretty much perfect...razor sharp and convexed obtuse enough to ensure they don't roll when chopping.

Posted By: TC

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 10/22/08 01:45 PM

Thanks for the review Vic. I sure wish I had gotten a DF when they were offered.
Posted By: adamlau

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 10/28/08 11:01 AM

I am bugging for a Chiruwa Ang Khola right now...
I swear I am gonna scratch that persistent itch someday...
Posted By: 338 Stalker

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 10/30/08 03:55 AM

AS always, great test report <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Horn Dog

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 11/01/08 08:19 AM

Quote
Really good post HD!! How did the BRKT golok's edge hold up compaired to the DFLE?

I think the BRKT golok has just a bit better edge retention, but not by much. I continue to be amazed that Busse can get reasonably good edge retention from S7 shock steel. Nobody else seems to be able to. The edges held up well enough, but the Hopkinson is pretty soft steel. It doesn't break, but the DFLE holds an edge better. Unless it is a comparison of older models, there just isn't anything SY related to post lately. Once the SOD comes in, I'll have something to post about.
Posted By: silverbullets

Re: DFLE, BRKT Golok, Hopkinson Golok - 11/04/08 05:59 PM

great review/post Vic, I have yet to pick up my Golok, I have one being held for me I just need to wait for the other companies to slow down long enough for me to build up the warchest....
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