View Full Version : RM and where to get his favorite Parang
When in the military and training in a few jungles, I came to rather enjoy the climate and the beauty of the jungle life. It sure can have some moments of extreme discomfort though!
I tried a few machetes to see which was a reliable, functional tool and came to the conclusion immediately that the US military machete was not real good, although sturdy. I next got a hold of a Martindale UK machete and liked it somewhat better after spending some hours reworking the handle and oiling the wood. I also tried a local one from Panama, long and heavy toward the tip, commonly known as a Bolo. It certainly had good reach because it was about 24 inches in blade. Took a little getting used to swinging that much blade around and for camp chores was difficult to work with, I am sure that was from my lack of experience with the blade.
So, after seeing Mr. Mears and his rain forest outings, excellent information BTW, I really liked the style of Parang he has chosen. I had not seen one quite like it so I started to do a little searching around to try to find more information. It appears to be a design developed and commonly used in Borneo and available in a variety of blade sizes.
SInce I am not likely to vacation in Borneo anytime soon, way too far away and I am too old to tackle that primitive an environment, I searched for a source of a fine Borneo Parang and came up with one that I think can fill the desire to own a quality RM style Parang! Not cheap, but excellent quality it would appear. Our friend OldJimbo has a similar one in Damascus steel.
Ok, I babble on here! This is where I found a nice Parang, in Australia.
http://www.valiantco.com/
Thanks wizard.
I do not know for sure, but you may be able to get hold of one of the actual ones that ray uses from Woody, I seem to recall that Woody had arranged a buy for them once before because of interest on here.
Someone had asked what the parang was and Woody told them, what it was where they were from and effectively anything else they wanted to know about them.
Thanks Leon-1! I never have had much luck ordering stuff from WL. I once got some DVDs and that went ok but a few years back I tried to order a RM knife, the Wilkenson one and some other items and it locked up my credit card solid! I had to call my bank to get it unlocked. Seems the service that WL uses to process credit transactions has had problems with false cards enough that my USA bank won't deal with them. Too bad because I am sure that hurts WL from selling to some people. It has kept me from trying to order there again. I wish I could, there are some items I would really like to get a hold of on the WL site. I don't even have any luck emailing WL!
Reality is, I am not likely to need another Parang either:) Although there is a group that has some outings to the Osa Penisula in Costa Rica that I have been considering. The whole travel thing by aircraft has become such a pain since the 9/11 attacks. I sort of travel by car now and driving to Costa Rica is not an option!
I will try again to email WL and see what I get back, thanks for the info, it may work out, we shall see:)
oddly enough one of the guys is looking at custom parang developement here. (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=20047)
cheers, and.
I did see that! Looks Phillipine style. I know a fellow SF guy that uses that style, also a very good tool. Weight to the tip seems to make the best all-around Parang! I will keep a look out for the progress on the BCUK Parang development. There are some very talented people here for sure!
If only you had asked about this about this time next year, as I am saving my 'parang money' for a trip to borneo in 2008. I could have brought you back one! :rolleyes:
I have a friend who was out in Borneo for a few weeks, you could pick a parang up for under a fiver out there, problem was getting it home afterwards.
When I have bought knives abroad in the past I have just sent them home by post. ;)
Just out of curiousity could someone let me know what RMs favourite parang looks like?
TIA
Funny you should be talking about Parang's because I have just been looking at one Stewart Marsh had made :You_Rock_
He explained that he and his friend use them when out hunting but found the one's you can buy too soft.
So Stew showed me one he had made himself! :lmao:
Looked fantastic :lmao: and very sharp :eek:
Not sure if he would make one's to sell but if folk's were interested then maybe he would ;)
:bye:
PS He just put a new handle on my S.M.Big boy it looks the dog's :You_Rock_
Its in giraffe bone with red liners! :D
I have 2 of Stewart's excellent knives! Bought a 3rd for my son last year. I should email Stew and ask to see his Parang. I bet he would make me one if I was persistent enough! Stew is a very nice person and really a fine knifemaker!
Someone asked what RM's parang looked like, pretty close to this one
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k129/widget29/ParangLading.jpg
TheGreenMan
30-03-2007, 20:18
Just out of curiousity could someone let me know what RMs favourite parang looks like?
TIA
Here you go BOD. They’re rather poor quality, but the video resolution on the DVD is poor also.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o227/T7b2aK/cap001.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o227/T7b2aK/cap002.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o227/T7b2aK/cap003.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o227/T7b2aK/cap004.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o227/T7b2aK/cap005.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o227/T7b2aK/cap006.jpg
Nice tool. I’d like one.
Best regards,
Paul.
Thanks.
Pretty similar to mine except I have the thrusting tip option :)
OldJimbo
31-03-2007, 20:05
The parangs from Valiant are larger, and in my opinion far too dangerous to use unless a person knows the draw cut and what they are capable of - before ever trying to use one. The best blades to start with from Valiant are the smaller goloks.
When you have mastered the draw cut (and this will come naturally because the blades are designed for it), even the small blades are capable of incredible work.
boland magyar
31-03-2007, 22:04
draw cut ?
what is that.
interested boland :confused:
British Red
31-03-2007, 22:12
Boland,
It is a fantastically powerful cut combining the power of an impact (chopping) action with the cutting power of a pull (slicing) cut. In the hands of a skilled user a light, thin, blade can out cut a far heavier impact blade. Its hellish dangerous when it first happens as, unkowingly, your parang sails through a thick sapling in a single cut!
I have heard of and seen it but I rarely use such blades and have not personally achieved it.
A frightening thing if you aren't expecting it!
Red
boland magyar
31-03-2007, 22:47
thanks red
would that be the same when using a kukri
boland
British Red
31-03-2007, 23:02
I'm not sure it could be achieved with a Khuk, although they are an incredible tool in the right hands. Old Jimbo or JM in France know much more about this than me - hopefully they will chip in
Red
I reckon 11 to 13 inches of blade is what RM uses.
Kukris can do some good things too, though I find them a bit more dangerous for me, because they glance more easily with my style. With the kukri, in general,you give a twist of the wrist forward and it does the reverse of a draw cut, with parangs and goloks, you pull slightly on the blade, or maintain a sabre round motion. That and a pure convex blade can make the cut VERY efficient !
The trouble is that you'd cut a 6 " sapling without the blade even feeling it. we have had reports of at least one guy cutting a tree, and hitting the hand on the other side, because the blade did not stop as expected. Once you understand that, you just do not let any part of you in the trajectory, or possibly use a hard wood baton to complete the protection. ;)
Any way, a safe way of using these blades is to simply speed them up and let them impact, if you add force or push at impact, you risk glances, deflections and injuries.
But do not focus only on the RM parang. yes, it is a good size, yet a lot of big blades will perform the same, golok, parangs, kukri, machetes, if properly tuned. One of the most common characteristics of an efficient big blade, is a thin edged convex blade.
And please do not go into paying the blade an incredible amount of pounds, like people do for the woodlore knife just because it is has the "RM approved" stamp ! :rolleyes:
More reading on these on:
youll keep safe reading this BEFORE playing:
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=11
then there is some reading about parngs etc here:
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=329
Kukri here:
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=327
These two lasts are on makers, but there is practical information in each
an essay on big blades dynamics, for what it is worth.
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=300
boland magyar
01-04-2007, 10:37
thanks for the information jim
boland
TheGreenMan
03-04-2007, 16:13
Thanks.
Pretty similar to mine except I have the thrusting tip option :)
You're welcome, and what are the shipping rates from Boreno to the UK like, BOD? (just kidding :)).
Best regards,
Paul.
TheGreenMan
03-04-2007, 16:21
The parangs from Valiant are larger, and in my opinion far too dangerous to use unless a person knows the draw cut and what they are capable of - before ever trying to use one. The best blades to start with from Valiant are the smaller goloks.
When you have mastered the draw cut (and this will come naturally because the blades are designed for it), even the small blades are capable of incredible work.
Seen the new Parang Bandol, Jimbo? Looks similar to the blade profile of RM’s, and a nicely cranked handle position too, though I imagine that it has a somewhat thicker cross-section.
Best regards,
Paul.
I am getting a bandol soon. It is a long time I have been asking wandi to produce a shorter parang, like the RM one, and he did it. Had no time until now to get one, (got a bit "kukri" focussed recently) but this is going to be resolved soon, evaluation coming soon after...
Thanks.
Pretty similar to mine except I have the thrusting tip option :)
I am not surprised, it probably came from the same place or literally just up the road :), IIRC the parang that Ray is using in that particular bit of film was a gift from one of his instructors that had spent some time out in your part of the world.
Well, I did email WL and asked about the parang Ray uses. The answer was that they have no information on Ray's parang. He buys one in the country he is filming in and does not bring it home! While that sure makes sense, especially in this age of hardcore security when traveling, it sure seems like each jungle show Ray makes, he is apparently using the same parang. Maybe it is just my old eyes though. From what I have seen in my limited travels, each jungle area of the world seems to favor very different styles of machete/parang blades.
I know if I was going back to the jungle as a civilian, I would try to send my blade of choice ahead to someone to hold until my arrival.
Anyway, thought you may be interested in what WL told me. Nowadays I think I only want a parang because I want one, not a practical reason really:) Cheers!
Nathan Sturgess
04-04-2007, 08:18
WL told me the same as they told you.
From what I have seen in my limited travels, each jungle area of the world seems to favor very different styles of machete/parang blades.
This is a good observation, Ray also used a Martindale in Kenya and when I was out there the only place I saw one was with the QM's. The type in the picture is almost typical of the ones that I have seen from Borneo and Brunie.
The guy that was supposed to have been the donor of that parang would of had plenty of option to of picked up one or two.
You're welcome, and what are the shipping rates from Boreno to the UK like, BOD? (just kidding :)).
Best regards,
Paul.
Seriously though I'd be happy to get you an off the shelf or a specially commissioned one if you like. A number of people have got stuff from the smithys here.
The parang is only about 15 pounds depending on style / wood but as you say the shipping rates are a bit more than that as I discovered when I sent off a pile of stuff to Holland recently
bod, that spounds like a shortcut to starting a stampeed!
interestingly though. at the end of ray's recent series about wild foods in the uk, he has a big thank you pig roast for all the folks who helped out. he carves the roast pig with a parang! :cool: so he must've bought at least one back with him.....
cheers, and.
OldJimbo
05-04-2007, 06:33
"Seen the new Parang Bandol, Jimbo? "
Sorry to be late in replying.
I haven't seen one yet but it's time I got a few more blades. We'll soon see what JM thinks of it.
I do have a pic:
http://www.oldjimbo.com/pics/parangbandol.jpg
TheGreenMan
05-04-2007, 06:47
I am getting a bandol soon......
Well, I'd like to get one too, but they're all 'sold out' at the moment :rolleyes:
...It is a long time I have been asking wandi to produce a shorter parang, like the RM one, and he did it....
Nice going, JM. It's good to hear that manufacturers take notice of the requests made by experienced users. I particularly like the cranked handle, I imagine it would be of great help when chopping material on a flat surface such as an axe block etc.
...evaluation coming soon after...
Looking forward to that.
Best regards,
Paul.
TheGreenMan
05-04-2007, 06:50
Seriously though I'd be happy to get you an off the shelf or a specially commissioned one if you like. A number of people have got stuff from the smithys here...
That's a very kind offer, BOD. Thank you.
I'll be in touch by PM to discuss the possibilities, sometime in the next few days.
Best regards,
Paul.
TheGreenMan
05-04-2007, 07:05
...Sorry to be late in replying...
No problem, Jimbo. I'm finding it difficult to keep track of things myself, since we no longer have email notifications.
...but it's time I got a few more blades...
I'm pretty new to the world of edged tools, but I'm rapidly discovering that one can't have too many :) I find the learning process is truly absorbing. I've developed an interest in steel, design and materials that is playing havoc with the personal finances, but what can a chap do?
...We'll soon see what JM thinks of it.
Indeed!
Best regards,
Paul.
Ok, I got one of the Valiant parangs, almost like the one I posted a pic of. I got it from ebay from a seller close by and received it quickly. It did not cost too much, so that is good. I will say the quality of the piece is excellent, well made and finished. The sheath is a one piece wooden affair, likely mahogany. The handle is a carved piece of water buffalo horn or something like that. My overall impression is that this is more a piece of art for a collector or something to hang on the wall and not a good tool for the jungle!
I say that because it is so well finished and because it is heavy with thick steel blade. The sharpened edge is good, a convex grind but out of a 17in blade only about the tip 10 inches is sharpened. The blade near the handle is tapered to the edge, thus cannot be sharpened without major grinding and retempering probably. Although the pics illustrated the finish and the fancy handle well, I was still hoping for a more useable blade.
Old Jimbo made a good point, some of the blades are too long too! This one is about 17 inches and that is about 2 to 3 inches more than necessary and again only about 10 to 11 inches are sharpened with 6 to 7 inched of useless steel toward the handle.
So, again, I will seek a parang with about a 14 inch blade like the one RM prefers and I have no clue where to get one! Cheers all!
Well, I'd like to get one too, but they're all 'sold out' at the moment :rolleyes:
Paul, I know that Wandi is receiving a small shipment very soon. you know the rule, first arrived, first served, I advise to email or phone him ;-)
Actually, I have gone into making my own parangs, this is 9" in 2.5 mm thick steel, weights 310 grams only. It is easy to make and works great... but is it only a short machete.
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4951/dscf3493fi4.jpg
Yorkshire Boy
09-04-2007, 16:17
Er, everyone is far more experienced than me.
But, is it that much of a problem to put tools in the hold of an aircraft?
I took a waiter size SAK, a locking blade SAK (climber model?) and a Fallkniven F1 to Japan. No problems asked. (been here 4 weeks now teaching, think I'll stay for ever here with my Japanese lass).
OK they weren't big choppers or anything. But I think it's reasonable to take such things. I also had a spinning rod with me as well as some hiking gear. I could explain why I had and needed these things.
If you go on an adventure holiday isn't it reasonable to have a sheath knife and chopper. I mean you'll have all the other associated gear as well right? Big rucksack, maps, compass, mozzie net, sleeping bag, cooking stuff etc...
Can we let a bunch of nutters rule the air?
I'm sure security aren't that unreasonable are they?
Best regards to everyone.
Yorkshire Boy.
TheGreenMan
11-04-2007, 13:41
Paul, I know that Wandi is receiving a small shipment very soon. you know the rule, first arrived, first served, I advise to email or phone him ;-)
Thanks for the 'heads up', JM. I'll email him.
Nice work on the small parang/golok, by the the way!
Perhaps you would be so good as to post a link to this thread (or start a new thread in this forum) when you review the Bandol (just in case some of us miss it elsewhere), JM.
Best regards,
Paul.
TheGreenMan
11-04-2007, 14:06
...it sure seems like each jungle show Ray makes, he is apparently using the same parang. Maybe it is just my old eyes though...
It’s not your old eyes, Wizard. I imagine you just haven’t seen all the programmes in which RM uses a parang/golok/machete style blade. If memory serves me, I’ve seen him use the parang illustrated in the pics in post #13 in several programmes, and in another I’ve seen him use a Martindale No 2 Golok, and in yet another, a small machete that looks similar to one of the 12” Ontario’s (but without the black coating).
... I only want a parang because I want one, not a practical reason really...
I heard that! (not much call for a machete in the concrete jungle of London, UK :) )
Best regards,
Paul.
TheGreenMan
11-04-2007, 15:04
...But, is it that much of a problem to put tools in the hold of an aircraft?...
I’m guessing you’re right, John. So long as the bladed items are in the luggage that goes in the aircraft hold.
A while ago, I made up a first aid kit for a friend who was making a trip to India and Bangladesh. The kit contained items like disposable scalpels and a variety of syringes with needles, and bandage scissors etc, and these items didn’t cause any kind of problems at all (It went in their luggage that was destined for the aircraft luggage hold). My guess would be that the same is true of larger blades, as your recent experience seems to bear out.
Something that might be useful when travelling with normally un-lockable luggage such as rucksacks etc, would be to put them in a thin, pack transportation bag that can be zipped and the zips locked with one of the Customs approved locks (these can be opened with a key that is issued to Customs so that they don’t have to break the locks open on luggage should they want to inspect the contents).
The rucksack transportation bag also helps to avoid the straps on the sack from getting caught up in luggage conveyor machinery too, not to mention providing a minimum of protection against unwanted access to an otherwise unsecured sack during transit.
This is the type of sack cover I’m speaking of (scroll down to ‘Lockable Rucksack Bag’):
http://www.safariquip.co.uk/acatalog/Rucksacks.html
Customs approved luggage locks (handy for securing Ortlieb type dry bags with ‘D’ rings, also):
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/locks.shtm
Best regards,
Paul.