Interesting Spear, But From Where???

[CharlesS]

I picked up this spear at the Baltimore Show and am hoping I can get some help with specific identification. I am thinking the Philippines, but which ethnic group???.... and it may not be from there at all. The blade is pattern welded, and the haft is multi-toned hardwood.

Any ideas??

[Sajen]

I would guess Philippines or Indonesia.

[Lew]

Charles

The wood shaft seems to be kamagong wood aka Philippine iron wood.

[Battara]

I would have to go back home and look through my snot-n-junk to figure out the ethnicity. Lew is right ( :eek: ;) ) it is made of kamagong wood, also known as makassar ebony on the open market. Often it has striations, but the more prized wood has little to no striations and is only brown-black in color.

[Nathaniel]

Beautiful spear, Charles.

Interesting note on the wood type...I know that Kamagong is a prized weapon wood in the FMA. Reminds me of this article by James Goedkoop of Kingfisher Woodworks in which he had a interesting graph on the impact strength of different woods. I didn't see Kamagong wood aka Philippine iron wood listed.

FYI here is the article:

http://www.aikiweb.com/weapons/goedkoop1.html


And the graph I was talking about:

http://www.aikiweb.com/weapons/graphics/graph.gif

[CharlesS]

Interesting stuff Nathaniel...thanks!!