My first MANDAU

Valjhun · 3rd June 2006, 12:12 PM

I do not know absolutely nothing about it. Should I clean the hilt and how?Rather fine specimen I guess. missing scabbard

Fine blade.

Any comments are wellcome.

RhysMichael · 3rd June 2006, 01:58 PM

I like the looks of this one but I also know nothing about them. Several times I thought about getting one and did not because I did not know how to tell an older one from a new one and did not want to make some of the same mistakes I made when I started getting dha ( but the mistakes look good on the grandsons wall and he likes them ). So thanks for posting this and I will keep an eye on this thread with interest

Dajak · 3rd June 2006, 03:04 PM

Hi the name of the mandau is Parang Ilang and I would not clean the hilt .

VANDOO · 3rd June 2006, 03:52 PM

I AGREE WITH DAJAK AND DON'T CLEAN THE HANDLE AS THAT SUBSTANCE (WHATEVER IT MAY BE) IS ORIGINAL TO THE PIECE AND PUT THERE BY THE MAKER OR PREVIOUS OWNER. THE SWORD HAS SOME AGE AND USE AND WAS NOT MADE FOR THE TOURIST TRADE AND IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE. TOO BAD THERE IS NOT A SCABBARD BUT AT LEAST YOU GOT THE SIDE KNIFE. CONGRADULATIONS ON A GOOD START BUT YOU HAD BETTER HAVE DEEP POCKETS IF YOU PLAN ON COLLECTING THESE

GOOD LUCK

ariel · 3rd June 2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhysMichael

I like the looks of this one but I also know nothing about them. Several times I thought about getting one and did not because I did not know how to tell an older one from a new one and did not want to make some of the same mistakes I made when I started getting dha ( but the mistakes look good on the grandsons wall and he likes them ). So thanks for posting this and I will keep an eye on this thread with interest

Misery loves company: my two sons have their wall decorated with my mistakes, too.
Another point: suddenly, e-bay is overflown with Mandaus. Most of them have crudely and freshly painted scabbards, pefectly intact wood, a lot of hair and superficially rusted blades. No problem: fake. But there are many that look old and worn. Some of them are also fakes. The ddistinction between real ones and good fakes bust be very difficuly even for the specialists. I just swore them off: I know too litle about them and do not want to start decorating walls in my son friends' apartments

I guess the rest of the world is catching up with China and produces a lot of touristy junk

Battara · 4th June 2006, 08:22 PM

I also agree about not cleaning the hilt - that is the work of original patina and is needed to indicate age. However, I would replace the missing hair in the front nose of the hilt. Nice piece.

Valjhun · 4th June 2006, 08:27 PM

Many thanks to all of you!

Battara, there are several holes indicating that there were hair all around the hilt. Any ideas how to glue that hair?

Rick · 4th June 2006, 08:31 PM

Weren't these tufts originally held in by small wooden plugs ?
Or is that practice limited to the hairy kampilan .

Battara · 4th June 2006, 08:32 PM

1. could use pitch
2. could use epoxy
3. could use epoxy and a small wooden plug in the middle of the hair

I have used #2 with great success and a lot of hair.

3rd June 2006, 12:12 PM	#1
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	My first MANDAU I do not know absolutely nothing about it. Should I clean the hilt and how?Rather fine specimen I guess. missing scabbard Fine blade. Any comments are wellcome. Attached Images

3rd June 2006, 01:58 PM	#2
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	I like the looks of this one but I also know nothing about them. Several times I thought about getting one and did not because I did not know how to tell an older one from a new one and did not want to make some of the same mistakes I made when I started getting dha ( but the mistakes look good on the grandsons wall and he likes them ). So thanks for posting this and I will keep an eye on this thread with interest

3rd June 2006, 03:04 PM	#3
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi the name of the mandau is Parang Ilang and I would not clean the hilt .

3rd June 2006, 03:52 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I AGREE WITH DAJAK AND DON'T CLEAN THE HANDLE AS THAT SUBSTANCE (WHATEVER IT MAY BE) IS ORIGINAL TO THE PIECE AND PUT THERE BY THE MAKER OR PREVIOUS OWNER. THE SWORD HAS SOME AGE AND USE AND WAS NOT MADE FOR THE TOURIST TRADE AND IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE. TOO BAD THERE IS NOT A SCABBARD BUT AT LEAST YOU GOT THE SIDE KNIFE. CONGRADULATIONS ON A GOOD START BUT YOU HAD BETTER HAVE DEEP POCKETS IF YOU PLAN ON COLLECTING THESE GOOD LUCK

4th June 2006, 08:22 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I also agree about not cleaning the hilt - that is the work of original patina and is needed to indicate age. However, I would replace the missing hair in the front nose of the hilt. Nice piece.

4th June 2006, 08:27 PM	#7
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Many thanks to all of you! Battara, there are several holes indicating that there were hair all around the hilt. Any ideas how to glue that hair?

4th June 2006, 08:31 PM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Weren't these tufts originally held in by small wooden plugs ? Or is that practice limited to the hairy kampilan .

4th June 2006, 08:32 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	1. could use pitch 2. could use epoxy 3. could use epoxy and a small wooden plug in the middle of the hair I have used #2 with great success and a lot of hair.