Balato for comments.

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Maurice

I've no idea.
I think the more elaborate carved ones are much more wanted in collections though!

Maurice

Could be that the elaborate are more wanted. No idea why, because personally I like them when they get simple and more stylistic.

The one Maurice bought recently really appeals to me.
As well as the 2 examples we saw last week at Bronbeek depot (check out Borneology at myribalworld.com)

[asomotif]

Ps. the crack. Is it only on one side of the handle ??

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Ps. the crack. Is it only on one side of the handle ??

Yeah, the crack runs all the way round. The hilt may have been in two parts at some point. There is a gap of about 2mm all the way round filled with some kind of brown wax.
Doesn't look like a tough fix though. It would look fine if it was re-done carefully and the crack was closed.

[Atlantia]

From an old thread, some other hilt types including like mine.
Interestingly, they have material wrapped around them too.
Significance?

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Yeah, the crack runs all the way round. The hilt may have been in two parts at some point. There is a gap of about 2mm all the way round filled with some kind of brown wax.
Doesn't look like a tough fix though. It would look fine if it was re-done carefully and the crack was closed.

Yes, it will certainly be worth the effort closing the crack.
It will also give you the possibilty to clean and preserve the tang.