Anyone have/get a Condor "Lochnessmuk"?

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Anyone have any experience with one of these?  I really like the design and size of the knife, but haven't found any good reviews of one yet.

(Gotta go... the wife is gonna kill me if she catches me on here today!  See you all Tuesday!)

http://www.condortk.com/productsdetail.php?prodid=4

[JAfromMn]

Get one and tell us about it Heinz.

I haven't heard anything bad about condor knives.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I'm very seriously considering it...  Seems like it'd be a good "one tool" knife for BOB use or lightweight backpacking. 

I haven't done any hunting since I was a kid, and while I'd like to get back into it, for my needs right now, I'm starting to think the village parang might be a better choice.  Seems like a better woodworking tool, but not as good an all-around blade as the Lochness...

Decisions, decisions...   

[Grathr]

I think you should get one, and then tell the rest of us if it is any good 

[AimlessWanderer]

I've been itching to try something by Condor for a while, but .... what? I'm certainly not short of axes and sheath knives (up to 6"), and I don't think Condor could compete with my Granny B's, puukkos or Scorpion Warthog anyway I've got a UK MOD knife, a Chris Caine Survival Tool, a piggybacked Puukko/Leuku combo and a 20" heavy machete ... they overlap too much with the Hudson Bay, Lochnessmuk and other "pack" knives ... Ideally I'd like to go for a coated blade too 

Needs more thinking about ... I'll worry about my current influx of Wenger Travellers for now I think 

Let us know what you think of the Big Nessy what you finally get off the fence and go for it Paul 

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I've been itching to try something by Condor for a while, but .... what? I'm certainly not short of axes and sheath knives (up to 6"), and I don't think Condor could compete with my Granny B's, puukkos or Scorpion Warthog anyway I've got a UK MOD knife, a Chris Caine Survival Tool, a piggybacked Puukko/Leuku combo and a 20" heavy machete ... they overlap too much with the Hudson Bay, Lochnessmuk and other "pack" knives ... Ideally I'd like to go for a coated blade too 

Needs more thinking about ... I'll worry about my current influx of Wenger Travellers for now I think 

Let us know what you think of the Big Nessy what you finally get off the fence and go for it Paul 

Al, I hate you!    JK!  I wish I could afford a Caine, or a GB...   

I'd love to have a Small Forest Axe, but unfortunately it's beyond my budget.  I think the thing I like so much about the Lochness is that it seems like it's a  budget version of a Caine or Wiseman survival tool.

My dilemma right now is just how much I'm planning on using a big knife for wood processing.  One thing the about the Lochness that appeals to me is that it has a good belly on it so it could also be used for processing game.  While I haven't done any real hunting since I was a kid, I'm interested in getting back into hunting now, so I thought the Lochness might be a good choice since I could use it for that too. 

Right now, though, my primary use for it would be for wood processing.  Because of that, I'm still torn as to whether I should get the Lochness or the Village Parang... I've read up a lot on the Parang and it looks like it could be a genuine substitute for a small axe/large hatchet, in the 14" - 16" range.  Seems like it'd be more versatile too, for things like shelter building and tool making.

[AimlessWanderer]

Have you looked at any of Condor's axes/hatchets instead? We could do with someone doing a review for us on those too 


 

[Grathr]

Have you looked at any of Condor's axes/hatchets instead? We could do with someone doing a review for us on those too 


 

I agree, you should definitly test a condor axe and review it for us 

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Hey!  I only have so much spending money...   

I have to limit myself to one new tool a month now, and also pay down my CC for my over-indulgence the past year or so!     So, I have to plan my acquisitions carefully now.   

That said, I also have been considering the "Greenland" axe they have.  They've got 1.5 lb. and 2.5 lb. head models available.  A quick comparison of the specs indicates the 1.5 lb model is almost exactly the weight of the Village Parang.  (I wouldn't want a 2.5 lb head on a 16" handle anyway; too hard to use it for smaller jobs.)

So, I'm starting to lean toward the parang.  I think it'll be able to do the same jobs as a hatchet and then some.  Not thrilled about the additional weight or size compared to the Lochness, but from everything I've seen, it's an awesome woodworking tool. 

I've got a couple of good fixed blades as part of my kit (my old Gerber Pro Guide, and my new BK14), as well as good selection of SAKs, and my trusty old Sven Saw, so a packable tool for wood processing/working seems to be the next most logical step for me, since I'm still quite a ways away from having the finances for the kit I need to get back into hunting.

So I'm going to tentatively say I'm going with the parang.  I'll place the order in a few days once I get paid.  Once I get it and have a chance to play with it some, I'll let you guys know how it is.  (And yes, I'll take some pics too!)

[AimlessWanderer]

You already have a good parang there mate. I think a nice pack axe would be a better compliment to a fixed blade and folding saw. I find it easier to choke up on a hatchet for pointing a stick or carving a notch than using a large blade (though that might just be because I've used an axe more than large blade) ... besides, we want to know what those Condor axes are like 

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

You already have a good parang there mate. I think a nice pack axe would be a better compliment to a fixed blade and folding saw. I find it easier to choke up on a hatchet for pointing a stick or carving a notch than using a large blade (though that might just be because I've used an axe more than large blade) ... besides, we want to know what those Condor axes are like 

Yeah, I know... I actually have a Condor golok, not a parang.    

Regardless, in terms of filling out my kit, a small axe/large hatchet would be the most logical next step for me as that's one tool conspicuously absent from my kit.  But, what I want instead, is something that can be used as a compact and light weight "one-tool" solution for hiking, backpacking, etc.  I mean, my Sven Saw is pretty light, but it's still fairly obtuse to pack, and I'd like something that's smaller than a dedicated axe/hatchet, and easier to carry.  I think that means a big knife/small machete.  So, I guess that means the Lochness would be the best solution.  (I'd still probably carry my Sven Saw, even if I had a Lochness.)

I did a lot of research/reading last night on the whole hatchet vs parang (machete) issue, and it seems that not only is it a false dichotomy in many ways, but that even a really good parang isn't going to be as good as a good hatchet for wood processing and shelter building, or even as good as a more traditional machete for brush-work.     So yeah, the axe/hatchet makes the most sense for me. 

I know I'm going all over the map on this, and that I've now changed my mind again since yesterday, but I think I am going to go with the lighter Greenland axe.  It just makes the most sense, both in terms of filling out my kit, and the kinds of environments I typically am doing outdoors activities in.  I get paid in a couple of days, so I'm going to order the Greenland axe as soon as I do, and I'll let you guys know what I think of it once I get it.  But, you don't have to wait for my report; I found a couple of pretty good overviews/reviews of it last night on Bube-tube...  Here are the links.

This one is specifically about the Greenland:


This one is about Marbles' nearest competitor, and also directly compares it to the Greenland axe.

[AimlessWanderer]

Good man! 

Knew you'd see sense mate 

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Well, as if I couldn't make this any more of a tortuous process for myself, I remembered the Cold Steel "special forces" shovel a little while ago... and, that I only have one of those crappy little folding GI surplus shovels.     The SF shovel seems to have gotten a lot of great reviews, so I have to say it is pretty tempting.  I really think I'd miss having the hammer back on the pall of the axe though. 

I did have a very nice Japanese gardening trowel that I used to carry as my catbox shovel, but my son lost it on a family camping trip several years ago when I mistakenly let him play with it on the beach... 

However, as cool as a tactical/ninja shovel would be (every see Mystery Men, Al? ), I still think the Greenland axe is the way to go for me.  I'm tempted by that Marbles axe too, but I can be hard on equipment, and I'm sure I'd bust that flimsy handle on it in no time, and that it would happen at a time when I really needed to have the usefulness of the tool.     (I know my Karma... stuff like that just happens to me.)  I've never rehandled an axe before either. 

I'd rather keep it simple and just buy the most solid piece of kit I can afford right now, so I'm definitely going to go with the Greenland axe.  Once I get it, I'm planning on putting a wicked edge on it!   

[Gareth]

If you don't have a small axe/hatchet already then I do think you really need to try one.  Given that you are taking it hiking I would say the lighter the better though things like the GB mini are getting a little too light for chopping jobs IMO.  Something like the GB Wildlife hatchet (in size and form) would be a great starting place I'd say.  Not quite sure how the stats compare to the Condor there but looking at the video that's as big as I'd ever want to lug around.

[AimlessWanderer]

If you don't have a small axe/hatchet already then I do think you really need to try one.  Given that you are taking it hiking I would say the lighter the better though things like the GB mini are getting a little too light for chopping jobs IMO.  Something like the GB Wildlife hatchet (in size and form) would be a great starting place I'd say.  Not quite sure how the stats compare to the Condor there but looking at the video that's as big as I'd ever want to lug around.

Agreed!  I think the Wildlife Hatchet would compare more directly with Condor's Scout Axe. Looks like the Greenland would be more in keeping with Granny B's Short Forest Axe. My personal preference would be the Wildlife Hatchet, or if I wanted something a little bigger I'd go with my Roselli axe which has a longer haft but less weight at the head. The SFA/Greenland may be bigger/heavier than I'd want if I was hiking much - but then again I would have a Bahco Laplander on me too  Without a saw, I think the SFA/Greenland is a good choice, with a saw I'd say the WH/Scout Axe

I do have Cold Steel's shovel too (had it in the boot of my car over winter, and had to use it once or twice too), but it wouldn't be a replacement for a primary wood processing tool. It is however a fair choice if you didn't expect to be building shelters traps and fires, but wanted a multipurpose tool that could do that if necessary. It would also make a far better tool for digging latrines, gypsy wells and fire pits than a pointed stick would Not seen Mystery Men I don't think 

[Sparky415]

I like the look of the two Axes in the videos and I think everyone needs at least one Axe  I can’t comment on carry as all my Axe use comes at the end of a car ride

There’s a good picture of Gareth using that shovel here somewhere 

[Grathr]

Good decision Heinz! 
I think that axe is perfect for camping, you need a little length and weight if you plan to chop up a tree or two. If you only need it to split firewood and light wood work, you could get the job done with a smaller and lighter axe.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Thanks for all the input guys.  I think the Greenland axe and my Sven saw will be the best set of tools for me.  I'll get it as soon as I can.

Al, here's a clip from Mystery Men... it's about a team of amateur super-heroes facing a villian and henchmen who totally outclass them...

Fast forward to about 0:45 in the clip to see The Shoveler at work...