Minotaur,
I let a few students and colleagues handle the CCST, so far it's all been thumbs up.. well.. except for one colleague who jokingly said "I still prefer my Mora, cuz that's all anyone will ever need".. jokingly because he knows you can't split cord wood with a mora easily, no matter how much any of us wish!
They all noticed a good balance to her, and many of them were new to using large blades. Others compared her to the blades we had at hand (several axes, machetes and again, a kukri) and they have all said this Parang seems to have the best for them. Now of course, I know such a tool won't meet everyone's needs, but to have that many people that impressed with her? Well that said something to me. Was it just my size and experience? Maybe in certain circumstances, but we had short, tall, light, and heavy people of both genders use it and they all liked the CCST, so I don't know. It just seems to feel right to most folks.
From my experience with folding saws (Bahco, Japanese saws, cheap saws, Trailblazer, etc), they are convenient for detailed notching and sawing of small wood. However in the long run if I am to remain in the woods, I want a non-folding saw, that is as long as my arm and at least as handspan and a half. Either a bucksaw or a bowsaw. From my research even Mors Kochanski seems to agree. However, yes, we had one person cutting wood with me, using his saw while I used this parang design. Though in an inexperienced hand, I would agree the parang would be more dangerous, I was doing detailed chops with no danger to myself or others. Am I master of big blades? No, and I doubt I ever will be. But I have experience with them, and that is what matters. I was outcutting him by a landslide.
I like Billhooks, axes, and all other "large blades". I'm never going to say the end-all be-all is a CCST, or else I wouldn't still own my other knives and axes. But at this time, I am perfectly comfortable with her, even in the thick of the Canadian Boreal.