Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Henk · 19th June 2007, 08:16 PM

Welcome to the forum.

What you are showing is a Mandau from Borneo Kalimantan. Used by the Dayak or Iban. Main purpose of this sword is to take heads in battle.

The holes in the handle are for tufts of goat hair.

Unfortunately a large part of the bindings of the hilt are gone and the hilt has a nasty crack. But the blade is very nice with engraving and inlay.

Cleaning the blade from rust, use lime or lemon juice. Rub with a slice of lemon over the blade. When the rust is gone clean with water and polish the blade quick with soda on a wet toothbrush. Dry the blade well and oil it.

19th June 2007, 08:16 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Welcome to the forum. What you are showing is a Mandau from Borneo Kalimantan. Used by the Dayak or Iban. Main purpose of this sword is to take heads in battle. The holes in the handle are for tufts of goat hair. Unfortunately a large part of the bindings of the hilt are gone and the hilt has a nasty crack. But the blade is very nice with engraving and inlay. Cleaning the blade from rust, use lime or lemon juice. Rub with a slice of lemon over the blade. When the rust is gone clean with water and polish the blade quick with soda on a wet toothbrush. Dry the blade well and oil it. Attached Images Last edited by Henk; 19th June 2007 at 08:30 PM.