Yes, it is about $15 USD but import fee are about $30 USD. So you're paying $45 bucks total. The Bear Grylls Survival Parang is $30 USD total and the SICUT was about $135 USD total (that amount includes S&H).
That should be fun. The Bidor Chandong Parang was the only one that DID NOT lose any sharpness. The best heat treat by far and I used it hard off camera on some difficult pieces wood.
Good tip Cjpmatt. What I am thinking of doing is getting a piece of wood from the forest and shaping a handle myself. I like modern plastics but not in this set up after my test. But even though I say this I heard that villagers in Malaysia use these plastic handled Parangs all the time. When the Parang's handle gets loose they still use them. So this is just me. Thanks for your comment.
Next time order it from my parang. They put a beech wood handle with better 2 part industrial adhesive and they pin them under the copper collar. The handles do not come loose and you get a better sheath from my parang!!! Also they sharpen it and clean the blade Abit and clean up the spine.
The shovel in the video is a common folding shovel that's a copy of the US Military Original Issue E-Tool Entrenching Shovel. You can find many good working copies of it on Amazon.com. It's a little heavy but very useful. Another shovel I use is the Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel with a wooden handle. This one gets high ratings but is also on the heavy side. Good luck.
You know the blade on the Bidor was outstanding. It has a good all round weight and the blade was just as sharp at the end of the chopping as it was in the beginning. With a solid wooden handle the Chandong Parang would be the perfect big knife for the outdoors.
Yes I plan on making a wood handle to but I promised Paul at junglecraft a review of how the parang holds up in winter so I'm thinking next spring I will replace the handle
You're right that doesn't make sense. I was trying to say the heat treat was better so the Parang will split longer with out sharpening. So better heat treat = longer splitting = better splitting
Yeah, that's the problem with imports, the cost to get them can often be much greater than the cost of the product. I was considering that same parang but pretty much knew that was a temporary handle, nice to see that confirmed.
Stay tuned for a video review on the Condor Bushcraft Parang that I just received in the mail. This one is exactly 24.40 oz (692 grams) on my scale with a 13" (33 cm) blade.
I does seem like the plastic handles are just to get the Parang home and short term use if needed. Basically as a friend commented the plastic handles are temporary. Those are some huge differences in prices. Thank you duty and import taxes.
The thin slight hollow grind edge scared me at 1st because that is more for smaller knives. I think the Gerber BG's Parang did a very good job too with the soft wood. It is too bad the ones made before Sept. 2012 have a weakness between the handle and blade that can be dangerously broken. The newer ones have fixed that serious defect. Make sure from the place you get it you have the new one (especially on eBay). That is if you get one. I hope you get a Parang before the Zombie invasion though.
Oh yes, I have and love it. I think Sicut is an excellent maker. This Sicut Klewang is high quality and at a good price (IMO). It cost me 120 USD total and looks like it will last a lifetime and then some. Have a great Spring Ocho Verde.
Oh yeah the Bear Grylls Survival Parang is a good one. At first I thought the knife-like hollow bevel edge on the BG wasn't going to work but it does work very well. It really is a nice Parang. Also, Gerber has fixed the safety issue with the handle snapping/breakage. Sent my Parang in to Gerber and received my newer fixed Parang in two (2) weeks. Oh, and I like the price of the BG Parang too.
The full sized shovel is best for what you are during. It will save your back. If you get a large shovel I recommend: Fiskars 9668 Long Handle Digging Shovel. Mother Earth News describes it as the "The Perfect Shovel". This Fiskars 9668 is a heavyweight digging shovel that cost about $30 USD. Hope you have fun up there.
I'm trying to work out specifically what the heat treat of a parang has to do with two halves of a log splitting apart. I mean, isn't the splitting specifically due to the sharpness of the edge of the parang, the blade width, and the force applied to drive the blade into the wood? The heat treat has to do with the hardness and toughness of the metal, right? So, what is it exactly about the heat treat of the Outdoor Dynamics that makes it a better chopper, or is it actually some other characteristics of that parang that help it chop better? Many thanks.
The sharpness of the edge and how long it holds it has to do with the heat treatment. Hell with a bad heat treat you won't hardly be able to put an edge on
The best parang in the world will not give the best result if you do not have the skill to use it. Never use your leg to press down the wood that you are cutting; a slip in the cut will land you in hospital with a bad cut on the leg. Always place the wood that you are cutting over another larger wood as support, never on the ground. The ground is soft and absorb the cutting impact, and when it is hard the parang blade may hit it and dull it fast. You can also hold the wood on one hand and slant it down forward with the down side on the ground at an angle, and chop it into length the you need. I would not try split a piece of wood by standing it on the ground. Hold one end and press the other end on a larger wood and split the other end That is how we do it and by the way I still have 8 working parangs, and in the old days I wear one when ever I leave the house
+Adrian J Nyaoi Amen, thanks for posting those common sense pieces of advice that parang users (and other big blades) should follow. Being an axe man with Southern axe parents, in 2012 I was very new to the parang so my skill was at the same level of most guys on TH-cam talking about a new toy they just bought. Since 2012 I am now using kukris, axes, & saws mostly. They work best for my region. Stay happy & safe. God Bless.
A wear one whenever I go to the jungle. It is second nature for us and there is little a parang can't do that a combo of bush knife, an axe or a saw can do. That is the biggest advantage of the parang; versatility. that is if you know how to use it properly. I never bring an axe or a saw to the jungle (I don't have one). and until very recently I didn't know that there are axe for cutting and axe for splitting. We all learn something new every day.
It's my understanding that the light traditional parangs are all that's needed in Malaysia because most of the work they do involves herbaceous foliage and bamboo which has thin walls VS a solid woody stem. Wouldn't a heavy parang like Condor's "Village Parang" be more suitable for use in the woodland forests that cover most of North America? Still get the utility benefits of the unique parang design and also have a useful weight for heavier chopping?
That's not necessarily true, they mostly use lighter parangs, but they do make different sizes even for themselves. Remember this part of the world doesn't use axes they use parangs, even for primitive logging and construction. Funny how everyone assumes their trees are softer and easier to chop than ours also lol. Most people don't think about the fact that their growing season is year round and their trees are super fibrous and sometimes very dense!!!
Great. So the BG parang came out fairly well by the looks of it. It looks like it would make a good yard tool, but fear of the handle failing might lower confidence in it as a wilderness tool. i suppose it could be rehandled at home. Anyway, I am not in the market for a parang just now, but it was interesting to see how they all compare. Thanks.
Condor Knife and Tool makes several excellent choppers: Village Parang, Golok, Bushcraft Parang, Duku, and Parang are all excellent, and they're fairly inexpensive.
+Rodger Pitts Yes, I bought one of the first Condor Bushcraft Parangs when they where released and did a video on my disappointment when I realized it wasn't even close to a real Parang or multi-purpose tool. Here is my view on the Condor line of Parangs: - Too heavy (the average traditional Parang weighs between 400 & 500 grams) - Not multi-purpose (Parangs are not just for chopping) - The edges are too wide and need serious re-profiling. - Balance was way off (again this has to do with the chopping only narrow focus of the knife) - Awful sheath (not good for all day in & out use) What is the best *traditional* Parang? Check out: junglecrafty's "The best parang ... ever?" TH-cam video. Of course if you are not going for the real deal as in what a Malaysian or an Indonesian would use, then the Western style heavy chopping only blades are OK. This is just my viewpoint. I hope you enjoy whatever tool works for you.
I saw junglecrafty's video, I was surprised at how small the parangs got that he was using, but I can see how it could be an advantage, too. You're correct about parangs made for US customers have to be different than traditional ones. It's like kukri knives. The ones made for American markets are MUCH bigger than the ones that actual Gurkhas used. The ones sold here are usually at least 900-1,000 grams, and some get to be 1,500 or 1,600 grams and have blades 8-15 mm thick. That's WAY too thick and heavy to be a fighting knife for the diminutive Gurkha warriors. Not everyone in the world is a fat pig like so many of us US citizens are.
+Rodger Pitts Bigger, unbalanced bar stock blades are heavier and easier to make compared to the traditional. Foreigners don't usually know what a real Parang or kukri is so we get tourist types and overweight monster blades. Once you get a parang or kukri up to about 2 pounds an axe is a better choice for it's efficacy and effectiveness in wood work. Condor does make a much lighter version of the Bushcraft Parang but I am not going to get that one because a wide edge is probably on that one too. I am going on a diet! Have a great day.
+sweetcostarica I think you should take a second look at some of the condors. I recently got one of their newer mini duku parangs and also a 12" inch bidor blade just to compare. I know the bidor blades are hand forged so their will be variances but the one I got had a ridiculously convexed edge that is pretty much only useful for spitting small pieces of wood in its present form. It is so convexed that it won't bit into wood at a 45 degree angle, the convex just makes it bounce off. I think it will work great when I get a proper edge on it but that will take a little work. Mini duku has a higher, much sharper and less convex grind than the bidor which makes it far more useful for slicing and cutting. The edge on it didn't need to be touched. Balance is great also I think they skeletonized the tang to make it feel closer to a traditional parang, it's lighter than most condor machetes. I think most of your complaints on the bushcraft parang have been improved by condor on the newer duku models.
Deus Vult Sounds like you maybe right about the newer mini duku parangs. Even the name says a lot. You said the "Mini duku has a higher, much sharper and less convex grind than the bidor" Yes, if true Condor is finally "getting it".
Thanks for the great comments Jack. You are giving good advice on how I'm using the Malaysian and Indonesian Parang wrong so I would consider it a personal favor if: 1 You post on a British Blades or SBG forum 2 Make a video Showing the proper use of the Parang. Please notify me in these comments for the "The Parang - Field Test" so we all can see it. Thanks in advance. Yes! I stoked.
Yes, I think it is too heavy at 26.88 oz (762 grams) for a 12" (30.5 cm) blade. In Malaysia Parangs weigh around 16 oz (450 grams) for a 12" (30.5 cm) Ray Mears type Parang (the model for most western Parang styled knives). Condor makes many of their knives (large & small) on the heavy side. I don't think that is necessary since many lighter traditional Parangs (Goloks, Kukris, etc.) out perform them. Also, women & children have to use the blade too & this C.Village Parang is too much for them.
thanks, a few friends and I found a nice area up in the mountains behind my house to dig out and make a frequent camping area and a shovel is needed, might even just buy a full size and lug it up there hide it in a hollow tree or something
Great video, glad I was able to come across the SICUT Klewang in action! Have you by any chance compared it to the SICUT SIGO Golok? I've been looking between the two and curious how they fare in comparison to one another.
No chance to test them side by side. I have of course the SICUT Klewang (can be considered a Parang) and just bought a SICUT Golok. It is a little strange that SICUT's website says their Golok is lighter and thinner than their Klewang but the one they sent me is slightly heavier & thicker. Anyway, both are great tools that seem to work better than the competition. Hopefully Summer/Fall 2015 I'll get a comparison test out on these. Have a great day.
sweetcostarica Thanks for your reply. After watching your video, I'm leaning toward the Klewang and guessing the in-hand feel would be similar between the two. I enjoyed your Kukri video also, and look forward to your upcoming review.
Hi TheHaldolShuffle. None of the blades in the video were sharped. They all came from the factory fairly sharp. The Bidor was the sharpest though by a small margin. Yes, Parangs are nice!
Nothing to be sorry about Jack. I am not an expert just a beginner sharing the little that I do know and encouraging efficient bushcraft. How about that fire made with the wood. The Dakota Fire (invisible fire pit) is a great thing to know for the learner. Mahalo : )
That's excellent. I was abusing the Bidor Parang (& other's) in this field test though. I wanted to see how far they could go. Junglecrafty said on his channel that he has seen Malaysians use the plastic handled Bidors that have loose handles. They don't seem to mind the looseness. I guess when the handle comes completely off is the sign to get it replaced. Anyway, thanks for the comment.
+MrKelso159 At AKC Mail Order Knives in Australia (the only place I know that sells this ) they are 99 Australian dollars. Link: www.knivesaustralia.com.au/knives.html#SICUT
I am getting a kukri in case they get real close (: Thanks for the tip on the handle. One thing that bothers me anyway is the angle of the handle to the blade, I wonder why they didn't go for that double curve that is seen on the traditional ones??? (I can't watch Robin Hood without getting annoyed at Morgan Freeman's sword either!)
Awesome man! I was just looking at the Malaysian ones, and was wondering how they would work in Fairbanks. Good to have a Alaskan opinion. But for the money, I'll probably stick with the BG one I already have. Thanks!
Awesome vid I have the bidor parang and with my first chop the handle was wobbly I took the handle off and used 5 minute epoxy now it's extremely strong but beware if you use 5 minute epoxy because the stuff sets up really fast and I had problems getting the pin back in
@@sweetcostarica Right in my mind I was comparing the Grylls which I once gave my dad with my own 12" heavy bidor, but I just realised that his is probably the compact version which is only 385 g vs. the Bidor which is 580 g, which would have been more significant ...
You bet ... that's why I am collecting them when it is still available.. Anyway , super steels are replacing the traditional steels in the near future ..... that's life !
based on shape, thickness and length, all of the three parangs are parang chandong. Bear Grylls parang is actually a modern version of parang chandong which has been rebranded to be sold to westerners. The klewang is a traditional single-edged sword from Indonesia. In size, weight and shape it is halfway between the golok and the kampilan. The style of the klewang differs between the various cultures of Indonesia; there are straight bladed types, but most are curved. The one that you showed is Klewang for the Indonesians but is a parang chandong for the Ibans in Sarawak, Malaysia. Anyway, Malaysia, Indonesia and even the Philippine share almost similar culture and craft.
I like Bidor blades, get of their products from the factory direct .. I also keep Spyderco , kershaw ,Ontario EDC and Coldsteel blades... Bidor blades and parangs are really money for value coupled with great quality . A Bidor small blade cost me RM5 ( US$1.50) which is as good as Ontario Rat 1(RM160 , US$50) ..
Define light Parang, Define heavy Parang?, & Define useful weight? Lets take Outdoor Dynamics Trad. Borneo Duku Chandong as an example: Lightest is 360 grams (12.6 oz) & the heaviest I've seen was 620 grams (21.86 oz). The Condor Village Parang weighs 825 grams (29.1 oz). So in this range of heaviness wouldn't a 2 lbs hatchet be more efficient and useful. I believe the Traditional. Parang is better than the Condor by far. So when you get near or over 2 lbs you are better off with an Axe (IMO).
In Malaysia , I pay RM20 ( US6.25) for a Bidor parang. Like wise , I hv to pay RM250(US$78) for a Bear Grylls survival Parang( made in China). The Bidor parang are mfg. by a bunch of very old and experienced smiths. They used stock carbon steel blanks to make the parangs, the weak link is the cheap plastic handle. Locals tend to replace it with a wooden handle for daily jungle chores.
Thanks for this video, after first seeing it months ago, I tracked down where I could get one of those Sicut Klewangs. It's one of the best knives that I have ever owned! You gotta keep that knife clean though, rusts very easily if you don't take good care of it. I'm not impressed with the Bear Grylls parang, However I do like the Bidor parangs (the blades, not the handles).
Glad you liked this video. And you're right these 5160 spring steel (I believe) blades rust if you neglect to keep them dry and lightly oiled. That's a hard task went using them in wet/humid environments. I use wax on my blades like Renaissance Wax. That really helps.
@@sweetcostarica if you're in the field and realize that there's rust on your blade if you have a fire use some of the ash mixed with a small amount of water to make a paste and use it to take the rust off.
We used blades similar to Condor or Klewang, Bear's seem to be very fancy but beautifu. Never the less its all about skill of swing and strike. Each point from its handle to the tip will carry different weight that if you apply correct point to your task, you'll get a good result out of it even from an ugly looking parang. Correct swing and strike also will prolong its life regarless its handle made of wood or plastic. Provided that parang was well forged to stay sharp.
Musang King Yes, the Gerber Bear Grylls Parang seems fancy but is easy on the eyes. It's weakness are: - a light duty edge, - weak or impure metal, - and the western handle that does not allow good SE Asian swinging techniques. Thanks for your comment. With the Parang as with all things practice will make perfect.
Bidor parangs are made by smiths with at least 30 to 40 years experience in heat treatments using very crude furnaces burning with charcoals. They make all kinds of blades and knives for our daily cutting chores from rubber tree taper knife to axe for the contractors that can chop thro' bricks without any nick at all ..
from what i know,the parang that have been used by ray mears was duku chandong..the handle was made from wood,not plastic like in your video just now..it'll give u better grips and comfortable handling..in malaysia we also have golok..smaller than parang and shorter..it's good for outdoor too.. :)
Amazing men. Too bad young people are not interested in the blacksmith trade. I hear like all over the world young folks are moving to the big city for better jobs and living conditions. These may be the last days for the traditional blades of the world.
This is very very soft wood. You can try to chop buffalo bone and you will know how hard us your knife is. And the skill how to cut wood. Where should you place your leg during cutting wood. Safety first..
Reza O'Line we are mostly Westerners and not so familiar with all the types of Parang, Kukris, Philippine blades, etc. out there. We're learning thanks to you and others.
The parang design or shape base on for what its use for..what u bought is very cheap and low quality and ugly..get a better one from real traditional parang maker. Sorry for bad english..;-)
Man Messi No problem. Even though Bidor and Sicut would probably disagree with you, everyone has an opinion and I thank you for yours. Have an excellent day in the Sun.
Yes, it is about $15 USD but import fee are about $30 USD. So you're paying $45 bucks total. The Bear Grylls Survival Parang is $30 USD total and the SICUT was about $135 USD total (that amount includes S&H).
That should be fun. The Bidor Chandong Parang was the only one that DID NOT lose any sharpness. The best heat treat by far and I used it hard off camera on some difficult pieces wood.
Good tip Cjpmatt. What I am thinking of doing is getting a piece of wood from the forest and shaping a handle myself. I like modern plastics but not in this set up after my test. But even though I say this I heard that villagers in Malaysia use these plastic handled Parangs all the time. When the Parang's handle gets loose they still use them. So this is just me.
Thanks for your comment.
Next time order it from my parang. They put a beech wood handle with better 2 part industrial adhesive and they pin them under the copper collar. The handles do not come loose and you get a better sheath from my parang!!! Also they sharpen it and clean the blade Abit and clean up the spine.
The shovel in the video is a common folding shovel that's a copy of the US Military Original Issue E-Tool Entrenching Shovel. You can find many good working copies of it on Amazon.com. It's a little heavy but very useful.
Another shovel I use is the Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel with a wooden handle. This one gets high ratings but is also on the heavy side.
Good luck.
You know the blade on the Bidor was outstanding. It has a good all round weight and the blade was just as sharp at the end of the chopping as it was in the beginning. With a solid wooden handle the Chandong Parang would be the perfect big knife for the outdoors.
Yes I plan on making a wood handle to but I promised Paul at junglecraft a review of how the parang holds up in winter so I'm thinking next spring I will replace the handle
You're right that doesn't make sense. I was trying to say the heat treat was better so the Parang will split longer with out sharpening.
So better heat treat = longer splitting = better splitting
Yeah, that's the problem with imports, the cost to get them can often be much greater than the cost of the product. I was considering that same parang but pretty much knew that was a temporary handle, nice to see that confirmed.
Stay tuned for a video review on the Condor Bushcraft Parang that I just received in the mail. This one is exactly 24.40 oz (692 grams) on my scale with a 13" (33 cm) blade.
I does seem like the plastic handles are just to get the Parang home and short term use if needed. Basically as a friend commented the plastic handles are temporary.
Those are some huge differences in prices. Thank you duty and import taxes.
The thin slight hollow grind edge scared me at 1st because that is more for smaller knives. I think the Gerber BG's Parang did a very good job too with the soft wood.
It is too bad the ones made before Sept. 2012 have a weakness between the handle and blade that can be dangerously broken. The newer ones have fixed that serious defect. Make sure from the place you get it you have the new one (especially on eBay).
That is if you get one. I hope you get a Parang before the Zombie invasion though.
Do you still have the Sicut Klewang? Do you still like it.
Oh yes, I have and love it. I think Sicut is an excellent maker. This Sicut Klewang is high quality and at a good price (IMO). It cost me 120 USD total and looks like it will last a lifetime and then some.
Have a great Spring Ocho Verde.
Oh yeah the Bear Grylls Survival Parang is a good one. At first I thought the knife-like hollow bevel edge on the BG wasn't going to work but it does work very well. It really is a nice Parang.
Also, Gerber has fixed the safety issue with the handle snapping/breakage. Sent my Parang in to Gerber and received my newer fixed Parang in two (2) weeks. Oh, and I like the price of the BG Parang too.
The full sized shovel is best for what you are during. It will save your back. If you get a large shovel I recommend: Fiskars 9668 Long Handle Digging Shovel. Mother Earth News describes it as the "The Perfect Shovel". This Fiskars 9668 is a heavyweight digging shovel that cost about $30 USD.
Hope you have fun up there.
I'm trying to work out specifically what the heat treat of a parang has to do with two halves of a log splitting apart. I mean, isn't the splitting specifically due to the sharpness of the edge of the parang, the blade width, and the force applied to drive the blade into the wood? The heat treat has to do with the hardness and toughness of the metal, right? So, what is it exactly about the heat treat of the Outdoor Dynamics that makes it a better chopper, or is it actually some other characteristics of that parang that help it chop better? Many thanks.
You are 100%. I will change that.
God bless & stay safe during the pandemic.
The sharpness of the edge and how long it holds it has to do with the heat treatment. Hell with a bad heat treat you won't hardly be able to put an edge on
The best parang in the world will not give the best result if you do not have the skill to use it.
Never use your leg to press down the wood that you are cutting; a slip in the cut will land you in hospital with a bad cut on the leg.
Always place the wood that you are cutting over another larger wood as support, never on the ground. The ground is soft and absorb the cutting impact, and when it is hard the parang blade may hit it and dull it fast. You can also hold the wood on one hand and slant it down forward with the down side on the ground at an angle, and chop it into length the you need.
I would not try split a piece of wood by standing it on the ground. Hold one end and press the other end on a larger wood and split the other end That is how we do it
and by the way I still have 8 working parangs, and in the old days I wear one when ever I leave the house
+Adrian J Nyaoi Amen, thanks for posting those common sense pieces of advice that parang users (and other big blades) should follow. Being an axe man with Southern axe parents, in 2012 I was very new to the parang so my skill was at the same level of most guys on TH-cam talking about a new toy they just bought.
Since 2012 I am now using kukris, axes, & saws mostly. They work best for my region.
Stay happy & safe. God Bless.
A wear one whenever I go to the jungle. It is second nature for us and there is little a parang can't do that a combo of bush knife, an axe or a saw can do. That is the biggest advantage of the parang; versatility. that is if you know how to use it properly.
I never bring an axe or a saw to the jungle (I don't have one). and until very recently I didn't know that there are axe for cutting and axe for splitting. We all learn something new every day.
Adrian J Nyaoi Nice comment! Thank you.
have you looked at the condor village parang? Wood handled and full tang.
what type of shovel were you using? I'm in the market for one
The third parang, the one that splits wood better, can you let us know what brand and where we can find one please? Great vid. Thanks!
It's my understanding that the light traditional parangs are all that's needed in Malaysia because most of the work they do involves herbaceous foliage and bamboo which has thin walls VS a solid woody stem. Wouldn't a heavy parang like Condor's "Village Parang" be more suitable for use in the woodland forests that cover most of North America? Still get the utility benefits of the unique parang design and also have a useful weight for heavier chopping?
That's not necessarily true, they mostly use lighter parangs, but they do make different sizes even for themselves. Remember this part of the world doesn't use axes they use parangs, even for primitive logging and construction. Funny how everyone assumes their trees are softer and easier to chop than ours also lol. Most people don't think about the fact that their growing season is year round and their trees are super fibrous and sometimes very dense!!!
They aren't going to knock down trees with their little 400 gram parangs.
Great. So the BG parang came out fairly well by the looks of it. It looks like it would make a good yard tool, but fear of the handle failing might lower confidence in it as a wilderness tool. i suppose it could be rehandled at home. Anyway, I am not in the market for a parang just now, but it was interesting to see how they all compare. Thanks.
Condor Knife and Tool makes several excellent choppers: Village Parang, Golok, Bushcraft Parang, Duku, and Parang are all excellent, and they're fairly inexpensive.
+Rodger Pitts Yes, I bought one of the first Condor Bushcraft Parangs when they where released and did a video on my disappointment when I realized it wasn't even close to a real Parang or multi-purpose tool.
Here is my view on the Condor line of Parangs:
- Too heavy (the average traditional Parang weighs between 400 & 500 grams)
- Not multi-purpose (Parangs are not just for chopping)
- The edges are too wide and need serious re-profiling.
- Balance was way off (again this has to do with the chopping only narrow focus of the knife)
- Awful sheath (not good for all day in & out use)
What is the best *traditional* Parang? Check out:
junglecrafty's "The best parang ... ever?" TH-cam video.
Of course if you are not going for the real deal as in what a Malaysian or an Indonesian would use, then the Western style heavy chopping only blades are OK.
This is just my viewpoint. I hope you enjoy whatever tool works for you.
I saw junglecrafty's video, I was surprised at how small the parangs got that he was using, but I can see how it could be an advantage, too. You're correct about parangs made for US customers have to be different than traditional ones. It's like kukri knives. The ones made for American markets are MUCH bigger than the ones that actual Gurkhas used. The ones sold here are usually at least 900-1,000 grams, and some get to be 1,500 or 1,600 grams and have blades 8-15 mm thick. That's WAY too thick and heavy to be a fighting knife for the diminutive Gurkha warriors. Not everyone in the world is a fat pig like so many of us US citizens are.
+Rodger Pitts Bigger, unbalanced bar stock blades are heavier and easier to make compared to the traditional. Foreigners don't usually know what a real Parang or kukri is so we get tourist types and overweight monster blades.
Once you get a parang or kukri up to about 2 pounds an axe is a better choice for it's efficacy and effectiveness in wood work.
Condor does make a much lighter version of the Bushcraft Parang but I am not going to get that one because a wide edge is probably on that one too.
I am going on a diet! Have a great day.
+sweetcostarica I think you should take a second look at some of the condors. I recently got one of their newer mini duku parangs and also a 12" inch bidor blade just to compare. I know the bidor blades are hand forged so their will be variances but the one I got had a ridiculously convexed edge that is pretty much only useful for spitting small pieces of wood in its present form. It is so convexed that it won't bit into wood at a 45 degree angle, the convex just makes it bounce off. I think it will work great when I get a proper edge on it but that will take a little work. Mini duku has a higher, much sharper and less convex grind than the bidor which makes it far more useful for slicing and cutting. The edge on it didn't need to be touched. Balance is great also I think they skeletonized the tang to make it feel closer to a traditional parang, it's lighter than most condor machetes. I think most of your complaints on the bushcraft parang have been improved by condor on the newer duku models.
Deus Vult Sounds like you maybe right about the newer mini duku parangs. Even the name says a lot.
You said the "Mini duku has a higher, much sharper and less convex grind than the bidor"
Yes, if true Condor is finally "getting it".
Thanks for the great comments Jack. You are giving good advice on how I'm using the Malaysian and Indonesian Parang wrong so I would consider it a personal favor if:
1 You post on a British Blades or SBG forum
2 Make a video
Showing the proper use of the Parang.
Please notify me in these comments for the "The Parang - Field Test" so we all can see it.
Thanks in advance. Yes! I stoked.
Yes, I think it is too heavy at 26.88 oz (762 grams) for a 12" (30.5 cm) blade. In Malaysia Parangs weigh around 16 oz (450 grams) for a 12" (30.5 cm) Ray Mears type Parang (the model for most western Parang styled knives). Condor makes many of their knives (large & small) on the heavy side. I don't think that is necessary since many lighter traditional Parangs (Goloks, Kukris, etc.) out perform them. Also, women & children have to use the blade too & this C.Village Parang is too much for them.
thanks, a few friends and I found a nice area up in the mountains behind my house to dig out and make a frequent camping area and a shovel is needed, might even just buy a full size and lug it up there hide it in a hollow tree or something
Great video! I have the parang and I love it. Great review. Did you sharpen the parang, or did it come sharp like that?
You are correct, sir.
Isn't that middle one pretty inexpensive?
Great video, glad I was able to come across the SICUT Klewang in action! Have you by any chance compared it to the SICUT SIGO Golok? I've been looking between the two and curious how they fare in comparison to one another.
No chance to test them side by side. I have of course the SICUT Klewang (can be considered a Parang) and just bought a SICUT Golok. It is a little strange that SICUT's website says their Golok is lighter and thinner than their Klewang but the one they sent me is slightly heavier & thicker.
Anyway, both are great tools that seem to work better than the competition. Hopefully Summer/Fall 2015 I'll get a comparison test out on these. Have a great day.
sweetcostarica
Thanks for your reply. After watching your video, I'm leaning toward the Klewang and guessing the in-hand feel would be similar between the two. I enjoyed your Kukri video also, and look forward to your upcoming review.
Hi TheHaldolShuffle. None of the blades in the video were sharped. They all came from the factory fairly sharp. The Bidor was the sharpest though by a small margin.
Yes, Parangs are nice!
Nothing to be sorry about Jack. I am not an expert just a beginner sharing the little that I do know and encouraging efficient bushcraft.
How about that fire made with the wood. The Dakota Fire (invisible fire pit) is a great thing to know for the learner.
Mahalo : )
thanks alot for the tip I'll try and pick one up asap, my X15 is my go to felling axe (even though it chips really easily)
Ihave 2 types of the Bidor parangs and love them both. Very versatile and I have had no handle problems in a year of use.
That's excellent. I was abusing the Bidor Parang (& other's) in this field test though. I wanted to see how far they could go.
Junglecrafty said on his channel that he has seen Malaysians use the plastic handled Bidors that have loose handles. They don't seem to mind the looseness. I guess when the handle comes completely off is the sign to get it replaced.
Anyway, thanks for the comment.
What is the price of the Sicut ?
+MrKelso159 At AKC Mail Order Knives in Australia (the only place I know that sells this ) they are 99 Australian dollars.
Link: www.knivesaustralia.com.au/knives.html#SICUT
what do you think about of the condor eco parang?
I am getting a kukri in case they get real close (: Thanks for the tip on the handle. One thing that bothers me anyway is the angle of the handle to the blade, I wonder why they didn't go for that double curve that is seen on the traditional ones??? (I can't watch Robin Hood without getting annoyed at Morgan Freeman's sword either!)
Awesome man! I was just looking at the Malaysian ones, and was wondering how they would work in Fairbanks. Good to have a Alaskan opinion. But for the money, I'll probably stick with the BG one I already have. Thanks!
We used epoxy glue to hold the plastic handle when it got loose .... works ok !
Awesome vid I have the bidor parang and with my first chop the handle was wobbly I took the handle off and used 5 minute epoxy now it's extremely strong but beware if you use 5 minute epoxy because the stuff sets up really fast and I had problems getting the pin back in
There should be a pretty significant weight difference there ...
I have forgotten all their weights but they all were in the 1 pound weight class (16 oz).
God bless
@@sweetcostarica Right in my mind I was comparing the Grylls which I once gave my dad with my own 12" heavy bidor, but I just realised that his is probably the compact version which is only 385 g vs. the Bidor which is 580 g, which would have been more significant ...
You bet ... that's why I am collecting them when it is still available.. Anyway , super steels are replacing the traditional steels in the near future ..... that's life !
And 8 years later your words ring true as ever!!!
based on shape, thickness and length, all of the three parangs are parang chandong. Bear Grylls parang is actually a modern version of parang chandong which has been rebranded to be sold to westerners. The klewang is a traditional single-edged sword from Indonesia. In size, weight and shape it is halfway between the golok and the kampilan. The style of the klewang differs between the various cultures of Indonesia; there are straight bladed types, but most are curved. The one that you showed is Klewang for the Indonesians but is a parang chandong for the Ibans in Sarawak, Malaysia. Anyway, Malaysia, Indonesia and even the Philippine share almost similar culture and craft.
Extremely interesting. Thanks very much paktuaygarif.
I like Bidor blades, get of their products from the factory direct .. I also keep Spyderco , kershaw ,Ontario EDC and Coldsteel blades... Bidor blades and parangs are really money for value coupled with great quality . A Bidor small blade cost me RM5 ( US$1.50) which is as good as Ontario Rat 1(RM160 , US$50) ..
Wow! Nice, you are lucky. God bless your day apish idris.
Define light Parang, Define heavy Parang?, &
Define useful weight?
Lets take Outdoor Dynamics Trad. Borneo Duku Chandong as an example:
Lightest is 360 grams (12.6 oz) & the heaviest I've seen was 620 grams (21.86 oz).
The Condor Village Parang weighs 825 grams (29.1 oz). So in this range of heaviness wouldn't a 2 lbs hatchet be more efficient and useful.
I believe the Traditional. Parang is better than the Condor by far. So when you get near or over 2 lbs you are better off with an Axe (IMO).
i want that from Indonesia one... kelewang... where i can buy online
Go to BladeHQ
In Malaysia , I pay RM20 ( US6.25) for a Bidor parang. Like wise , I hv to pay RM250(US$78) for a Bear Grylls survival Parang( made in China). The Bidor parang are mfg. by a bunch of very old and experienced smiths. They used stock carbon steel blanks to make the parangs, the weak link is the cheap plastic handle. Locals tend to replace it with a wooden handle for daily jungle chores.
in malaysia , we can buy parang just from a grocery store . haha
Thanks for this video, after first seeing it months ago, I tracked down where I could get one of those Sicut Klewangs. It's one of the best knives that I have ever owned! You gotta keep that knife clean though, rusts very easily if you don't take good care of it. I'm not impressed with the Bear Grylls parang, However I do like the Bidor parangs (the blades, not the handles).
Glad you liked this video. And you're right these 5160 spring steel (I believe) blades rust if you neglect to keep them dry and lightly oiled. That's a hard task went using them in wet/humid environments. I use wax on my blades like Renaissance Wax. That really helps.
@@sweetcostarica if you're in the field and realize that there's rust on your blade if you have a fire use some of the ash mixed with a small amount of water to make a paste and use it to take the rust off.
We used blades similar to Condor or Klewang, Bear's seem to be very fancy but beautifu. Never the less its all about skill of swing and strike. Each point from its handle to the tip will carry different weight that if you apply correct point to your task, you'll get a good result out of it even from an ugly looking parang. Correct swing and strike also will prolong its life regarless its handle made of wood or plastic. Provided that parang was well forged to stay sharp.
Musang King Yes, the Gerber Bear Grylls Parang seems fancy but is easy on the eyes. It's weakness are:
- a light duty edge,
- weak or impure metal,
- and the western handle that does not allow good SE Asian swinging techniques.
Thanks for your comment. With the Parang as with all things practice will make perfect.
Bidor parangs are made by smiths with at least 30 to 40 years experience in heat treatments using very crude furnaces burning with charcoals. They make all kinds of blades and knives for our daily cutting chores from rubber tree taper knife to axe for the contractors that can chop thro' bricks without any nick at all ..
from what i know,the parang that have been used by ray mears was duku chandong..the handle was made from wood,not plastic like in your video just now..it'll give u better grips and comfortable handling..in malaysia we also have golok..smaller than parang and shorter..it's good for outdoor too.. :)
Amazing men. Too bad young people are not interested in the blacksmith trade. I hear like all over the world young folks are moving to the big city for better jobs and living conditions.
These may be the last days for the traditional blades of the world.
bro how you use or holding the parang and the wood is all wrong, if my father saw me chopping wood the way you done it he be piss
He be piss in his coffee ☕ ☕ ☕!!! 🤬🤬🤬
No worries, I get where you are coming from
Splits better due to a better heat treat? HUH? How does that make any sense?
This is very very soft wood.
You can try to chop buffalo bone and you will know how hard us your knife is.
And the skill how to cut wood.
Where should you place your leg during cutting wood.
Safety first..
its fine,, klewang is actually parang too...
Reza O'Line we are mostly Westerners and not so familiar with all the types of Parang, Kukris, Philippine blades, etc. out there.
We're learning thanks to you and others.
All parangs are the same
You just need to sharpen it to make it better
Oh, and a subscribe.
Interesting but not very objective review ... it's quite clear that you prefer the third parang no matter what.
in Thailand Parang its mean white people or western
The parang design or shape base on for what its use for..what u bought is very cheap and low quality and ugly..get a better one from real traditional parang maker. Sorry for bad english..;-)
Man Messi No problem. Even though Bidor and Sicut would probably disagree with you, everyone has an opinion and I thank you for yours.
Have an excellent day in the Sun.
Bidor parangs are made yuan lewang I'm sure I spelled that wrong lol bidor is the town where it happens.