New Sword

Tim Simmons · 6th September 2005, 09:13 PM

I rather like that. I am very keen on weapons made in the back woods so to speak. I just think some of the things made away from town with limited tools show some of the cleanest of line and thought in construction. Tim

Andrew · 7th September 2005, 05:31 AM

Interesting sword, Robert. I like it very much. I've got little to add to the prior observations.

I agree with Ian that the blade profile strongly resembles that of a parang nabur. The handle is similar to some I've seen (parang nabur without knuckle-guards are, apparantly, rare but not unknown), but the angle of mounting is unusual for that sword, and may be partly responsible for a vague talibon appearance.

The scabbard is not very helpful, nor is the monkey skull. The scabbard construction of two pieces of wood bound together by plaited rattan appears across SEA, as do monkeys (anyone feel confident enough to take a stab at identifying the species?

).

I'm going to default to a generic "golok" for this one for the time being.

Bill · 7th September 2005, 03:38 PM

my guess is that it is an old Visayan piece. the only time I have read about monkey skulls, is from the mountain people of Luzon. the skull would only be carried while it was needed, to get rid of a bad spirit. if the shaman did his job right that wouldn't be a long time. I would guess from what I have read the skull would be a burden of sorts & someone would be anxious to return it back to the shaman. old sword, add a skull for effect & sell to a GI, around WWII? tried to match it up to some of my Visayan pieces, very simular, but I suspect it is older than my examples. looking foward to reading about it in Zel's book

6th September 2005, 09:13 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	I rather like that. I am very keen on weapons made in the back woods so to speak. I just think some of the things made away from town with limited tools show some of the cleanest of line and thought in construction. Tim

7th September 2005, 05:31 AM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Interesting sword, Robert. I like it very much. I've got little to add to the prior observations. I agree with Ian that the blade profile strongly resembles that of a parang nabur. The handle is similar to some I've seen (parang nabur without knuckle-guards are, apparantly, rare but not unknown), but the angle of mounting is unusual for that sword, and may be partly responsible for a vague talibon appearance. The scabbard is not very helpful, nor is the monkey skull. The scabbard construction of two pieces of wood bound together by plaited rattan appears across SEA, as do monkeys (anyone feel confident enough to take a stab at identifying the species? ). I'm going to default to a generic "golok" for this one for the time being.

7th September 2005, 03:38 PM	#3
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	my guess is that it is an old Visayan piece. the only time I have read about monkey skulls, is from the mountain people of Luzon. the skull would only be carried while it was needed, to get rid of a bad spirit. if the shaman did his job right that wouldn't be a long time. I would guess from what I have read the skull would be a burden of sorts & someone would be anxious to return it back to the shaman. old sword, add a skull for effect & sell to a GI, around WWII? tried to match it up to some of my Visayan pieces, very simular, but I suspect it is older than my examples. looking foward to reading about it in Zel's book