New Parang from Bidor

H

hauntedchild

Joined
Mar 6, 2015
Messages
88
Ok so i went ahead and ordered a My Parang Heavy Duku . Excellent feel in hand and chopped pretty well out of the box , the handle was left just rough enough . The blade is 5160 steel with what appears to be a good heat treat . Now my 1 concern is this , it has the pin , epoxy and brass collar . Which in turn make for a much better connection between handle and tang no doubt . "But" the epoxy itself looks and feels more like a plastic , to me at least . My concern is if in fact it is a plastic ? How will it hold up in my enviorment during colder months ? Cold Temps. impact from chopping over a period of exposure to winter conditions . Anyone having any knowledge of this particular tool under these conditions , or just a knowledge of how these epoxies work as far as how they handle colder temperatures . And no there is no buyers remorse and i know its not the best tool for winter fire prep .
 
Thanks , pretty good video but my concern is still the epoxy strength in NY winter . I know from experience plastic and extreme çold doesn't always work well .
 
Ok I emailed My Parang with my previous question straight to the company . So we'll see two things . Customer service quality and the obvious , the answer to my concerns and how well this fastening method was really thought out in this particular aspect . Stay tuned
 
Ok here's what I found out . The adhesive is a product made by Vital technology located in Malaysia . More research to come . But please feel free to look it up , I'm sure there's no shortage of persons here more understanding of the technical jargon more than I . If you feel so inclined please don't hesitate to put your findings in layman's terms for those of us less less understanding .
 
It's hard to say anything without knowing which one of Vital Technology product it was. Their website doesn't say that very much but I would assume it is one of their epoxy sealants. Maybe one of their contact or all purpose adhesives but I don't know.

I am not sure.
 
Yeah thats true , I take some solace in the fact that it's not actually a plastic like I originally thought . I'm going to actually attempt to contact VTech and see what else I can find out .
 
Hi HC,

I too was wondering the same thing regarding the My Parang epoxy as I've considered buying a MY Parang's and I live in Maine. Please keep us posted.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
I'm still all over this one I actually did get in touch with Vital technology via email . I've been able to narrow it down to their multi purpose adhesive . It seems to be a recognized product in the UK , the reviews I did find were glowing but they did not address my concerns . From the information I found it's not a plastic which is good ? I think . But what I do know is the blade is great and the overall feel is lively .
The balance is about three inches forward of the handle . And the weight with sheath is 20oz roughly on a tool thats about 18-19 inches total and with the great balance seems even lighter during use . If I was to compare it to tool I already use as far as feel in use I would say my Tramontina bolo which I love by the way . At this time my concern is solely the epoxy during cold weather . Stay tuned .
 
The company Vital technologies did get back to me very quickly . But i don't think he was clear on my inquiry based on is response or he either made a typo with his numbers . Based on my research on climate in that region the temps. vary little annually normally a 5 degree difference on average . Between 23-28 degrees Celsius from the low land beach front to the mountains with there being only a 30-40 minute difference between the longest and shortest days (interesting fact) . The answer i received was a rating 15-35 degrees Celsius once cured . i am hoping he meant 15 to -35 ?
 
It's likely rated between 15 till 35...
It is also highly unlikely that
The epoxy in use would have been something rated for cryogenic applications, unfortunately :-)
It's my opinion that the epoxy employed in that parang
Not only acts as a glue, but instead also acts primarily as a "gap filler" to stop any rattling,
Since there is probably already a "pin" which acts to secure the handle to the blade tang?
 
I certainly hope for better but only time will tell , mean while i have a nice hunk of Osage somewhere . I guess ill get some practice on some scrap carving different handle shapes and look into better choices for epoxy , I've heard good things about West ? epoxies . Unfortunately i'm not sold on this handle fastening method but only time will tell . I understand the reasoning behind the whole initial ease of repair or just not being able to do better with what was available authentically i assume . But fortunately i have that option .
 
Ok i got clarification , the temperature ratings i received were not the working limits of the epoxy it is the recommended application temperatures . The product specialist assured that the secure bonding/holding temperature ratings are much lower than one would normally encounter in most climates . Again FYI i have not had any issues with the fastening i was just being proactive with my concerns and observations . Again with all that said functionally i have been impressed . The closest thing i have to compare it to i would say is my Condor Parang and and Golok offerings . This tool hits hard and bites deep , it throws chips as well if not better than all of the previously mentioned tools and feels much better in use IMO. But with all that said knowing your tools and their limitations is the most important thing in terms of safety . I have not pampered this tool thus far and have not had any issue as far as fit and finish or performance . At this time i will/do trust this as a tool i'd take into the field . Stay tuned !
Oh it's tensile strength is rated to 3000 LB.
 
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I took the Parang out for some brush beating this evening and committed to bashing the hell out of a standing dead stump . I mean swinging from the shoulder with a wrist snap at the end like I was trying to swing through it . This is something I don't normally do but I had to put my mind at ease or prove my suspicions . And I can honestly say im at ease , the handle is still solid and the edge is still amazingly sharp . For my style of doing things I have no worries . I'll never swing it as hard as I intentionally did tonight again at so large a target . I still carry my folding saw and my Mora 2.0 for finer task .
 
Great that you have some confidence now.
Figure those raw and crudely finished bidor agricultural work tools
Having been embellished by "my parang"
Are far from being relegated as wall hanging native curios.
Those tough work horse types often shine in daily use,
Condor has this new "aust army machete" out now.
The design of which has its roots in Malaya too it seems.
http://www.australianbladeforums.co...comparing-variants-australian-army-golok.html
 
Heading out in the woods again to spend a few hours (day off) yeah !!! Gonna try this tools potential in task other than smashing and bashing . Been watching a lot of videos and observing the ways it's used by indiginous people . Their styles seem to be more refined than my meat fisted approach lol , which will definitely aid in the longevity of this tool .
 
Been using the parang daily in some form or another . In the kitchen , splitting kindling and getting out in the woods practicing different skills and so on . Basically qetting to know the tool , I haven't had a need to do more than a routine swipe or three on a ceramic rod to keep the edge to safely use . Like with any tool you need to know how to use it to achieve best results . Will it baton ? Yes but according to my experience with not just this tool it's just as easy to pound a wedge as it is a knife to split wood . This knife chops out wedges easily , why beat your knife when you could bash on wood with your baton ? Just a couple of of whacks to start a split tap in a wedge and go to town . It chops very well on sensible sized targets , holds a great edge . You can stick the tip in a stump and pull your stick agaist the blade and make feathers easy and safely enough . And it handles exceptionally well , just remember if you chooese to use this or any large blade for that matter it's not an axe or harchet its still just a knife use them responsibly . There is a skill set that goes with this style of knife and smash and bash ain't it .
 
I had forgotten I even posted this thread . I can honestly say that after roughly nine months that the My Parang HD is a great tool to add to an arsenal of woods tools . Light enough to be used like a thinner style Machete for a reasonable length of time albeit a tad short for some types of Machete work . Thorn infested types of bushes I'd prefer a longer blade . It holds a great edge , I touch up my tools frequently so a few passes will do you Justice for woodier type targets . I've batoned , chopped and some finer task as well . The handle is still rock solid . My three seasons cutting tools include this tool with a ten inch folding saw and my Mora 511 . I've not felt that needing was in order . I'd recommend it for large knife type task, it'ss still not an axe so bare that in mind . So if you need logs take the axe .
 
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