Sea cow used for Iban hilts

VVV · 2nd July 2011, 11:01 PM

While writing the post above I got the response from the blade maker:

"Colours are so very typical for seacow; the yellow and the fainter brown / yellow are very typical.
The spongiosa is not as it would be with antler; this is bones spongiosa.
The quality of the reflections and polished surface is *absolutely* typical.

I will send you some pictures of hilts I made from seacow ( this was sold as "Steller´s Seacow) - made from the ribs of those animals.
Yours might be of a different species - anyway, I am absolutely sure. Of course I could be wrong, but this is my favourite bone material, and I happen to know it quite well.

I´ll be back with pictures, gimme a few days..
[...] the material I use is very very old and there are no CITES restrictions, as the Steller´s Seacow was obliterated in the 1800´s."

fearn · 3rd July 2011, 04:39 AM

Hi Michael,

I'm telling you, violin and guitar cases were just made for carrying headhunting swords, especially on campus during summer.

Better though, it sounds like you have a real expert to tell you what you have. Great news.

Best,

F

3rd July 2011, 04:39 AM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Michael, I'm telling you, violin and guitar cases were just made for carrying headhunting swords, especially on campus during summer. Better though, it sounds like you have a real expert to tell you what you have. Great news. Best, F Last edited by fearn; 3rd July 2011 at 05:33 AM.

2nd July 2011, 11:01 PM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	While writing the post above I got the response from the blade maker: "Colours are so very typical for seacow; the yellow and the fainter brown / yellow are very typical. The spongiosa is not as it would be with antler; this is bones spongiosa. The quality of the reflections and polished surface is absolutely typical. I will send you some pictures of hilts I made from seacow ( this was sold as "Steller´s Seacow) - made from the ribs of those animals. Yours might be of a different species - anyway, I am absolutely sure. Of course I could be wrong, but this is my favourite bone material, and I happen to know it quite well. I´ll be back with pictures, gimme a few days.. [...] the material I use is very very old and there are no CITES restrictions, as the Steller´s Seacow was obliterated in the 1800´s."