Barong, Panabas, or something else.

[drac2k]

I just acquired this item and I'm not quite sure where it fits in. Somewhat barong-shaped, but much heavier, with a double beveled 12" blade,3" at its widest, & 3/8" thick at the base of the spine. It has an 8" handle.
The sheath is very crude(much more so than the weapon/tool), and it was probably wrapped with a single binding of rattan and in this manner, it reminds me of the kampilan breakaway scabbard.

[Ian]

Cato shows similar examples as an uncommon form of panabas. Yours looks to me to be more of a tool than a weapon, in which case it may be a form of tabas.

[drac2k]

Just out of curiosity, what do the marks on the spine signify; I often find them on various panabas.

[xasterix]

Formally, they call this "badi" among the Maranao, and distinctly different from tabas. It's used for utility purposes nowadays.

[xasterix]

Just out of curiosity, what do the marks on the spine signify; I often find them on various panabas.

They are placeholders so that the people involved in making the sword (smith, artisans) can plan and approximate measurements for the other parts attached to the blade. They're not counted as talismans.

[drac2k]

Can you direct me to some other examples of a "badi," on the internet, so that I can compare mine to those?
Thanks for telling me what those marks are for; it had been driving me crazy for years. Do sword makers, tool makers still use them?

[xasterix]

Can you direct me to some other examples of a "badi," on the internet, so that I can compare mine to those?
Thanks for telling me what those marks are for; it had been driving me crazy for years. Do sword makers, tool makers still use them?

Hi sir sure, here are the publicly-available links:

AJ blade reviews Facebook page, featuring postwar badi

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=577640750158864&set=a.374344347155173

Personal page, with a provenanced 1960s badi

https://www.facebook.com/rikidiz/posts/pfbid0HhQiPmDRpPJ73eja5XakHeXEiYRXZwZ3y9sMVgKbXnEt qasArGdeLCbN3NEES4cCl

The other samples are either in private webpages or groups, but if you need more pics or screenshots, just let me know, I can send them to you.

Regarding the /X/, yes it's still used nowadays by craftsmen both in Mindanao and Sulu. In my experience, it's commonly seen at the following areas:

1. Base of spine, to indicate the area just before the tang
2. The base or forward-facing parts of the asang-asang
3. Metal binding parts of the hilt, or sometimes even the scabbard

[drac2k]

The one on Facebook was stunning! Thanks again.