A jawara (local strongman or village champion) will always have a golok hung or tied around the waist at the hips.

The use of golok in Sundanese was recorded in Sanghyang Siksa Kandang Karesian (text dated 1518) and in Malay was recorded as early as the Hikayat Hang Tuah[9] (text dated 1700)[10] and Sejarah Melayu (1612),[11] Sizes and weights vary, as does blade shape, but the typical length is 25–50 cm (9.8–19.7 in).

Goloks tend to be heavier and shorter than parangs or common machetes, typically being used for bush and branch cutting.

Goloks are traditionally made with a springy carbon steel blade of a softer temper than that of other large knives.

Although many manufacturers produce factory-made goloks, there are still handmade productions that are widely and actively made in Indonesia.