New mandau

[T. Koch]

Hi guys and thanks for your feedback!

Maurice, yes, this forum is packed with good threads on Bornean blades and I'm all over them already! Your site is also really nice, and I've had much pleasure from Roth's text - thank you for making that available! I would also LOVE to receive a copy of your article - even though its in Dutch. - I don't know if you've ever talked to a Dane while drunk, but I can assure you that Danish and Dutch are actually quite understandable if in writing or if both parties speak slow. - I have plenty of academic articles to trade with, let me know if you're looking for something in particular!

Vandoo, thank you for your input - I really appreciate it! I know what you mean and I think we have similar outlooks on life: I've been going to school for the last 24 years now and I feel as dumb as ever!

Regarding age, I'm really not an antique-nazi when it comes to my collection. I let my taste guide me and as long as a piece is made for actual use and for one of a thousand possible reasons tickels that soft spot in my belly, I don't really care how old it is. This little guy is a charmer!

I'll for sure get some better pictures taken of the ricasso area and the brass windings. Would be great if the origin could be narrowed down to an area or culture.


Thanks again and all the best, - Thor

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by T. Koch

Maurice, yes, this forum is packed with good threads on Bornean blades and I'm all over them already! Your site is also really nice, and I've had much pleasure from Roth's text - thank you for making that available! I would also LOVE to receive a copy of your article - even though its in Dutch. - I don't know if you've ever talked to a Dane while drunk, but I can assure you that Danish and Dutch are actually quite understandable if in writing or if both parties speak slow. - I have plenty of academic articles to trade with, let me know if you're looking for something in particular!

This forum has very good threads about Bornean blades! You can also see the differences between the authentic old ones, authentic newer ones, and the touristic ones, when scrolling through all threads.
I don't think I would be able understanding a drunk Dane and he wouldn't probably understand me, but I can forward you the article. (I did send you a pm with my emailaddress).
I don't need anything in return. But if you have some academic articles about Borneo, I would like to read them if you would be so kind sharing them with me.

Originally Posted by T. Koch

I"ll for sure get some better pictures taken of the ricasso area and the brass windings. Would be great if the origin could be narrowed down to an area or culture.

Brass windings were used on old mandaus but also on new mandaus. It would be hard to determine the age on the brass wire (and almost impossible) as it could be cleaned also.
Your mandau is a mandau from Sarawak, probably Iban tribe in my opinion.

Rg,
Maurice

[asomotif]

Hello Thor,

Nice to see you presenting this mandau on the forum.
Once Maurice steps in any comment from my side becomes futile

Can you post a picture of the blade decoration near the handle ?
And maybe a picture of teh 2 faint fullers on the blade ?

Thanks and best regards,
Willem

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Once Maurice steps in any comment from my side becomes futile

Originally Posted by asomotif

Can you post a picture of the blade decoration near the handle ?
And maybe a picture of teh 2 faint fullers on the blade ?

Not futile to look at a close up of the fullers.
That could tell more about the quality of the blade....

[David]

A question for you mandau experts....is it a true mandau if it does not have a convex/concave blade? Does this one? From the photos i would say no.

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by David

A question for you mandau experts....is it a true mandau if it does not have a convex/concave blade? Does this one? From the photos i would say no.

Hello David,
This blade is indeed not cancave/convex. So this is not a mandau
Both sides are the same. I believe there is a specific name for it parang ".. ..".
I am not the best in this name game.

Maybe Maurice or Michael can assist.

Best regards,
Willem

[VVV]

Actually it's not called a mandau at all if it is Iban, even if concave/convex, but an ilang or parang ilang.
Some maybe would like to call it a gayang, but based on the "production date" it is probably more correct to just call it an Iban parang (the generic term).

Michael