I bought a 28" (blade) Martindale machete, I think it is this one...
https://www.amazon.com/SitePro-17-CROC28-W-Martindale-Machete-Handle/dp/B07D1V3V97
Purpose is for clearing small saplings, softer bushy growth and hardwood limbs in my woodlot for a trail for me to hike on. Some green growth "saplings" are uber soft, anything can whack 'em down and there's lots of them. But the hardwood saplings, oak, sassafras, hickory, gum, etc. are light years tougher.
I already own a Condor Golok, it has a 14.5 inch blade. I think it is this one...
https://www.duluthtrading.com/golok...sdUA_vO-5eIFvlDKFgZla6bHUsmo_wkhoCMGUQAvD_BwE
I just ordered this Condor Parang, it is a 17.5 inch blade...
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CN...l-black-blade-hardwood-handles-leather-sheath
The Condor Golok has a much thicker blade than the Martindale, it's not even close. Granted, they are not meant to be the same. But my concern is... as I walk, I whack down what needs whacking and with the Condor Golok, it works awesome, it is a heckuva machete, but I have to stoop/bend over a bit to whack 'em at the base. I bought the Martindale because it is SO much longer, overall length (and blade) but overall length is what really matters for this task. I am 6' 2" tall. My back gives me some trouble and my back tires out too quickly with the stooping.
The Martindale, out of the box, has an edge but I did not find it to be very useful at all with cutting hardwood saplings or limbs. I then got a 10 inch bastard file on it and tried to sharpen it some. Not sure that did much good but my file is kind of rusty, might need a new one? Then I got a ceramic axe sharpener on it and tried to put a decent edge on it. It's better but still not that good for this task. Maybe it just won't work for this but I am wondering if you guys who can sharpen a machete think it would make a big difference if I got it really sharp? And can you point me to a link on how to sharpen? If I could get it to work decently on hardwoods, might be a good choice.
I think the Condor Parang will work real well, as it's 3 inches (but only 3 inches) longer than the Golok and it has the same, hefty blade. Starts out at 1/4 inch and kind of tapers down.
Thanks for insight.
P.S. I own a Husqvarna brush cutter for clearing through new trails in thick areas and spots with larger saplings/trees. And a chainsaw!
https://www.amazon.com/SitePro-17-CROC28-W-Martindale-Machete-Handle/dp/B07D1V3V97
Purpose is for clearing small saplings, softer bushy growth and hardwood limbs in my woodlot for a trail for me to hike on. Some green growth "saplings" are uber soft, anything can whack 'em down and there's lots of them. But the hardwood saplings, oak, sassafras, hickory, gum, etc. are light years tougher.
I already own a Condor Golok, it has a 14.5 inch blade. I think it is this one...
https://www.duluthtrading.com/golok...sdUA_vO-5eIFvlDKFgZla6bHUsmo_wkhoCMGUQAvD_BwE
I just ordered this Condor Parang, it is a 17.5 inch blade...
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CN...l-black-blade-hardwood-handles-leather-sheath
The Condor Golok has a much thicker blade than the Martindale, it's not even close. Granted, they are not meant to be the same. But my concern is... as I walk, I whack down what needs whacking and with the Condor Golok, it works awesome, it is a heckuva machete, but I have to stoop/bend over a bit to whack 'em at the base. I bought the Martindale because it is SO much longer, overall length (and blade) but overall length is what really matters for this task. I am 6' 2" tall. My back gives me some trouble and my back tires out too quickly with the stooping.
The Martindale, out of the box, has an edge but I did not find it to be very useful at all with cutting hardwood saplings or limbs. I then got a 10 inch bastard file on it and tried to sharpen it some. Not sure that did much good but my file is kind of rusty, might need a new one? Then I got a ceramic axe sharpener on it and tried to put a decent edge on it. It's better but still not that good for this task. Maybe it just won't work for this but I am wondering if you guys who can sharpen a machete think it would make a big difference if I got it really sharp? And can you point me to a link on how to sharpen? If I could get it to work decently on hardwoods, might be a good choice.
I think the Condor Parang will work real well, as it's 3 inches (but only 3 inches) longer than the Golok and it has the same, hefty blade. Starts out at 1/4 inch and kind of tapers down.
Thanks for insight.
P.S. I own a Husqvarna brush cutter for clearing through new trails in thick areas and spots with larger saplings/trees. And a chainsaw!
I have the Condor Golok and Parang and also a couple of nice, sharp machetes. The Condors (once a decent edge is put on 
