New mandau

David · 20th August 2012, 10:44 PM

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 · 21st August 2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

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 · 21st August 2012, 10:16 PM

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

asomotif · 22nd August 2012, 07:51 PM

Hello Michael,

Thanks, "parang gayang" was indeed the term I was looking for.

Why do you feel that the production date influences the name ?

Best regards,
Willem

VVV · 22nd August 2012, 08:37 PM

Willem,

It's because I suspect that this parang was made for symbolic use, not actual warfare or as a jungle tool.
But that's just my personal principle for classifications of weapons...

Michael

asomotif · 22nd August 2012, 09:32 PM

That is a way of classification that I have seen before. (a infamous balato thread on this forum) So in order too remember the old names, I prefer too collect old examples

Indeed this example is probably too recent to be for warfare and too elaborate to be a tool.

Ps. still looking foward too some more pictures of the blade

T. Koch · 23rd August 2012, 09:26 AM

Thanks for all the info guys!

The spine is indeed concave - as I believe I pointed out in my first post somewhere in the Wall O'Text up there.

No worries guys, we in the digital generations have nuked our attention span a looong time ago.

I have no doubt that the blade has been used for practical tasks over a longer period. The angle and diversity of the micro-scratches are consistent with the ones I for instance have made over the years on my own field-panga or seen on other choppers still in use. There are likewise visible signs of sharpening, dulling and chipping of the edge etc.

As per your suggestions, I will take closeups of the handle thread, the ricasso area, the fullers and the carvings on the scabbard and be back.

Thank you to all who've commented - you guys are great!

All the best, - Thor

20th August 2012, 10:44 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	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.

21st August 2012, 10:16 PM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	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

22nd August 2012, 07:51 PM	#4
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	Hello Michael, Thanks, "parang gayang" was indeed the term I was looking for. Why do you feel that the production date influences the name ? Best regards, Willem

22nd August 2012, 08:37 PM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Willem, It's because I suspect that this parang was made for symbolic use, not actual warfare or as a jungle tool. But that's just my personal principle for classifications of weapons... Michael

22nd August 2012, 09:32 PM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	That is a way of classification that I have seen before. (a infamous balato thread on this forum) So in order too remember the old names, I prefer too collect old examples Indeed this example is probably too recent to be for warfare and too elaborate to be a tool. Ps. still looking foward too some more pictures of the blade

23rd August 2012, 09:26 AM	#7
T. Koch Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Mother North Posts: 189	Thanks for all the info guys! The spine is indeed concave - as I believe I pointed out in my first post somewhere in the Wall O'Text up there. No worries guys, we in the digital generations have nuked our attention span a looong time ago. I have no doubt that the blade has been used for practical tasks over a longer period. The angle and diversity of the micro-scratches are consistent with the ones I for instance have made over the years on my own field-panga or seen on other choppers still in use. There are likewise visible signs of sharpening, dulling and chipping of the edge etc. As per your suggestions, I will take closeups of the handle thread, the ricasso area, the fullers and the carvings on the scabbard and be back. Thank you to all who've commented - you guys are great! All the best, - Thor