Side by Side: Condor Mini Duku Parang vs Terava Skrama 

Very good review! I have both, and really, they are very similar in ability, but quite different in feel and handling. I have gone so far as to put a scandi grind on the mini duku at the base of the blade, like the Skrama has from the factory, and put a convex edge on both the Skrama and Duku for the middle and forward part of the blade. A couple of points and my own observations: Both blades have a chopping "sweet spot". The sweet spot is the section of the blade where you get the most power from your chop. The easiest way to tell where, and how big a sweet spot a blade has is to hold it lightly, and chop a 1" or so tough, dry branch. Put the branch on a log or something very solid, and chop straight down, and 90' to the branch. If you feel the handle come up into your hand, the sweet spot is further down the blade, towards the tip. If the handle tries to drop down from your hand, then you are past the sweet spot, and should chop closer to the handle. When you are in the "sweet spot", the handle should not kick up or down. Note: this applies mostly to chopping wood and other hard items where the blade is likely to be stopped in a cut, or considerably slowed down by chopping through the material in a single swing. Some soft, green foliage is better sliced by speed rather than inertia, and moving the strike farther towards the tip will give you more blade speed. Ideally, these green, soft targets would be cleanly cut with a single stroke. Using a pinch grip and adding a snap to the cut also helps, as well as cuts down fatigue. Make sure to follow through the swing, and not try and stop it short. Handle shock and vibrations will always be more noticeable with a full, exposed tang as compared to an encapsulated tang on a similar size, weight, and shaped blade. Most times, using the correct grip and swing for the type of cut being made (a slicing cut vs. a chopping cut & pinch grip rather than hammer grip) will help reduce the felt shock and vibration. Striking with the correct part of the blade and follow through also will help considerably. Gripping too tightly and with too much rigidity in the wrist will always result in more shock and vibration felt in the hand. There are many over-wraps for tennis rackets, tools, etc. designed to reduce shock and fatigue that can be wrapped around the Duku handle, though all will make it thicker in the process, though it can be filed down and sanded. Alternatively, there are shock dampening work gloves that will also work well. A synthetic handle like the Skrama adds in shock and vibration mitigation. Over time, it's possible they may degrade, particularly if exposed to things like DEET found in mosquito repellents, high heat conditions, and extensive use causing the material to lose it's elasticity and become hard and brittle. Keeping it clean, and applying a protective treatment (that does not cause it to become slippery) will help considerably. Like all things, there is always some sort of trade off in one area, to gain improvement in another. In the end, as you and many others have concluded, both are very capable blades with many similarities, and some distinct differences. Which is better is more a matter of how the tool will be used in both the type of materials being processed, and on the user's skill and technique.

Good review and very fair comparison. Both knives are capable of the tasks. As you concluded it is personal preference.

I really appreciate your video style. Thank you for an excellent review of these two knives.

As a parang user, the Skrama looks like a hybrid of a parang with narrower tip and a seax tip. The Skrama’s handle does it for me- more versatile and better shock absorber with overmold handle. The Duku has more forward weight and excels in dispatching branches and smaller logs and Skrama could back up as a compact machete. Nice review from you and glad you like the parang.

I think the Skrama is a better “ one tool” option with better handle ergonomics than most survival woods knives. But the form and feel of the mini Duku is something to be cherished. Especially where I go camping and hunting in the Everglades. It’s why I bought the mini Duku in stainless steel instead of 1075. It chops everything from Brush Oak and Sabo palm to catfish and gator tail. The Skrama is still on my list to buy for when I go deer hunting in Pennsylvania or North Florida where the Black Oak can be dense.

Very nice edge you’ve put on the Duku.

Excellent comparison 💪

Very good review!

Very good review! Skrama has two different grind angles, therefore better for feathers. I would go for skrama if you will face lower temperatures while from the design point of view I prefer mini duku.

Yes, couldn't wait for it, thank you so so so so much bro, thanks friend, keep growing and growing, and more and more, thx

Hi there, a really honest versus ! I really appreciate that ! Both are really great knives, both are really great value knives ... Of course, choosing one over another would be a matter of personal taste 😊 I would pick the Condor as well 😊😊😊

I think for Europe and North America, the Skrama is a better all around knife. The Duku has the better jungle blade. Obviously, both can be used if needed in both environments. The Duku is definitely a good looking knife/machete.

very good video,,

7:14 in he finally starts to use the Condor Duku Parang.

Enzo Necker! Such an underrated knife. My sheath was totally non-functional however. Got a leather one made.

I think the best comment on which one you preferred is that you used the duku to make the baton!

Bonjour So which one is the best ?

Рубил совсем по разному. Кондор поднимал для замаха значительно ниже, соответственно и удар был слабее. И рубка происходила основанием клинка, а не правильной частью на расстоянии 2/3 от рукояти

He is used to the Skrama so it performs slightly better for him. I think it is a toss up for both chopping and splitting wood. Either work well. He did mention the grip on the Skrama was not as comfortable as on the Mini Duku.

👍👍👍👍

Thanks for the great review. What hammock is that?

With regard to your handle preference when chopping, do you think that has to do with the texture of the rubber versus the texture of the wood? Obviously different shapes to the handles, but I’m curious if the wood is better against the skin when doing high shock work like that chopping. [I realize this is an older video so not sure if I’m talking to myself here 😕]

What do you think is better for clearing brush?

Imagine Skrama blade and duku handle with slightly modification like just little thiner (or flat on side) than duku and finger guard like skrama. Man that would be perfect tool!

Lovely review. Can i ask a question please...What is the width at the widest part of the blade? 3 inches?

You should check out the my parang duku chandong!!!

Varusteleka Skrama IS THE BEST MY PERSONAL OPINION AND MOST OF THE WORLD TOO

Condor parang seemed to do very well here but how sharp does it come out of the box

I like the way you put the names in the handle...how did you do it?

Assalam aleykum. Eski insanlar yüz yillar boyu parang, kukri, tahra kanca vs gibi aletleri hayatları boyu geliştirmişlerdir ve en iyi geometriyi bulmuşlardir o yüzden Parangi diyoruz👍

30 strokes...GEE get a damn AX!!!

Cuál es el ángulo de inclinación de la punta de ese machete???

I have the condor. Got it before I heard of the skrama. Its way big enough for me. I have the martini timberjack knife. So now I need one in the middle. Definitely like this tera brand. Maybe the puukko 140. What do you think?

Where can I buy this online????

The Skrama is the 200 or 240 model?

Hey where did you get your pants,I like them.

What pants are you wearing? looks perfect for outdoor stuff, great video!

Bro..its not the correct way to hold Duku for chopping wood..Duku is still the most friendly machete..

I made it to the chopping test and had to stop. Constructive criticism, when using a large chopper like this, use the tip (distal) portion of the blade for chopping, instead of the middle or near portion of the blade. Also your grip seems incredibly loose. The blade simply flops over and you’re not getting a good bite. As the owner of a skrama, believe me, you’re not using it to it’s potential. It seems counter intuitive, but proper form even with a heavy swing will waste less energy than the form you’re using in the video.

So.....the only significant improvement he made on the duku was to sharpen the back of the spine for easier spark throwing with the ferro rod, and for generating tinder with the pine stick. Otherwise, he early on stated he sharpened the blade, but in other reviewers videos, they did not and it performed just fine.

TOPS BASECAMP PARANG IS SO MUCH BETTER...QUITE A FEW BARK RIVER "BIG CHOPPERS" ALSO

Who makes the pants you are wearing?

think I'm going to order the Skrama blade and make a wood handle more like the parang.... actually, I'm going to make a wooden knob to sort of replicate the parang, and fix it to the Skrama by putting a bolt through the lanyard hole. boom!

21:26.."the mosquito eating my back!"...ha ha which one its used? Parang or skrama?...wkwk

Tidak pandai.. Pegang parang macam pegang apa saja...

Skrama has a better steel

Maybe use a saw on such large logs?...more quiet and discreet in the woods

Кто дал криворукому рукожопу острые предметы ?

Too many adverts on your channel,, that's why I don't subscribe,,,,

No contest, parangs are quite useless compared to any other machete/large knife

I can tell you have no experience in the woods or using any type of machetes… good try!!!

Varusteleka Skrama IS THE BEST MY PERSONAL OPINION AND MOST OF THE WORLD TOO