Mandau

Marc M. · 19th May 2025, 03:00 PM

I recently received some objects from a friend who lived in Indonesia with her parents in the 70-80s. Her father traveled all over Indonesia for his work and regularly brought something home. Like these mandau's, quite small 65 and 63 cm. Both blades have a convex and a concave side. One blade is laminated steel with several fractures, faults, one over almost the entire length of the blade. Cutting on the handle reasonably good, especially the ivory piece. In both handles traces of where a coin once sat. Facinating objects but beyond my familiar knowledge. Made for those who travel, the real stuff, just let me know what you guys think.
Regards
Marc

Marc M. · 19th May 2025, 03:02 PM

More pictures.

werecow · 19th May 2025, 09:55 PM

Those swirls in that ivory hilt are lovely.

Pertinax · Yesterday, 07:21 AM

Congratulations Marc!

Very cool swords!
What is the diameter of the coin slot?

With respect,
Yuri.

Marc M. · Yesterday, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pertinax

Congratulations Marc!

Very cool swords!
What is the diameter of the coin slot?

With respect,
Yuri.

Hi Yuri

About 15mm.

Regards
Marc

Pertinax · Yesterday, 08:59 AM

Marc there may have been a coin - Netherlands India 1/10 guilder. I have a Mandau that was also without a coin, I bought it online for a small amount of money.

See the thread:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29680

With respect,
Yuri.

Tim Simmons · Yesterday, 04:57 PM

The real deal can be problematic . A sword made for dancing, once used to attack a person becomes real. WW2 era swords were used and Iban warriors in the UK Borneo 1963 -1966 dispute swords were used. These look nice but not sure they will impress the old guard.

Sajen · Yesterday, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werecow

Those swirls in that ivory hilt are lovely.

I don't think that the hilt is carved from ivory.

Sajen · Yesterday, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

The real deal can be problematic . A sword made for dancing, once used to attack a person becomes real. WW2 era swords were used and Iban warriors in the UK Borneo 1963 -1966 dispute swords were used. These look nice but not sure they will impress the old guard.

Nearly all swords are made to kill people!

Marc M. · Today, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

I don't think that the hilt is carved from ivory.

Hi Detlef
It is ivory, the Schreger lines are clearly visible.
regards
Marc

19th May 2025, 03:00 PM	#1
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 265	Mandau I recently received some objects from a friend who lived in Indonesia with her parents in the 70-80s. Her father traveled all over Indonesia for his work and regularly brought something home. Like these mandau's, quite small 65 and 63 cm. Both blades have a convex and a concave side. One blade is laminated steel with several fractures, faults, one over almost the entire length of the blade. Cutting on the handle reasonably good, especially the ivory piece. In both handles traces of where a coin once sat. Facinating objects but beyond my familiar knowledge. Made for those who travel, the real stuff, just let me know what you guys think. Regards Marc Attached Images

19th May 2025, 03:02 PM	#2
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 265	More pictures. Attached Images

Yesterday, 08:59 AM	#6
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 231	Marc there may have been a coin - Netherlands India 1/10 guilder. I have a Mandau that was also without a coin, I bought it online for a small amount of money. See the thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29680 With respect, Yuri. Attached Images

Yesterday, 04:57 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,848	The real deal can be problematic . A sword made for dancing, once used to attack a person becomes real. WW2 era swords were used and Iban warriors in the UK Borneo 1963 -1966 dispute swords were used. These look nice but not sure they will impress the old guard. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; Yesterday at 05:21 PM.

19th May 2025, 09:55 PM	#3
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 555	Those swirls in that ivory hilt are lovely.

Yesterday, 07:21 AM	#4
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 231	Congratulations Marc! Very cool swords! What is the diameter of the coin slot? With respect, Yuri.