Small Padsumbalin Panabas

[kino]

Here is a mini-Panabas that has a similar blade profile.
OAL = 18.25 in.

Originally Posted by xasterix

panabas being forged nowadays in Maguindanao

I’m glad that the Panabas’ are still currently manufactured. Are they just sold locally or do they make their way to Cebu or Manila.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kino

Here is a mini-Panabas that has a similar blade profile.
OAL = 18.25 in.

Hello Albert,

Thank you for showing your nice example for comparison. It's the first other one I've seen until now.
Is it just my imagination or see I some nicks at the edge? Could this come from gardening? For me are nicks in an edge are a sign of combat use!? Such a small tabas would be very effective and fast in combat.

Regards,
Detlef

[Ian]

[QUOTE=Sajen]... For me are nicks in an edge are a sign of combat use!? .../QUOTE]


Probably not confirmation of use in combat IMHO. More likely some brittleness in a hardened edge which has chipped when striking something hard--a stone, hard piece of wood or metal, etc. (or even another weapon).
Ian

[xasterix]

[QUOTE=Ian]

Originally Posted by Sajen

... For me are nicks in an edge are a sign of combat use!? .../QUOTE]


Probably not confirmation of use in combat IMHO. More likely some brittleness in a hardened edge which has chipped when striking something hard--a stone, hard piece of wood or metal, etc. (or even another weapon).
Ian

I second this. The blade can encounter accidents too during gardening

[Robert]

Detlef, I hope that you do not mind but I have added a couple of photos edited to show the engraving on the blade a bit better. I have seen several other styles of smaller panabas before, but this is the first one with this particular blade style. Personally I would tend to believe that this piece would have been made to be used more as a weapon than just something intended to trim the grass. JMHO. Congratulations for another great catch and addition to your collection.

Best,
Robert

[mross]

I know this may not be a popular opinion. I do not think any of the Panabas where primarily a fighting weapon. Status symbol, execution device, clean up weapon after a battle but not primarily a fighting weapon. Not to say it could not or would not be used under the right circumstance. I have several and have seen and held a few more, IMHO they are too cumbersome and slow to be used in battle. A kalis, barong or spear would put the user of a panabas at very severe disadvantage. I also do not believe in the fear argument that they where used to strike fear into their opponents. I do not see a Moro being very fearful of an opponent coming at him with a panabas. I could see him smiling as he knows he is about to make him meet his maker.

[CharlesS]

Very nice example Detlef, and looks to be of excellent quality. Congrats!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by mross

I know this may not be a popular opinion. I do not think any of the Panabas where primarily a fighting weapon. Status symbol, execution device, clean up weapon after a battle but not primarily a fighting weapon. Not to say it could not or would not be used under the right circumstance. I have several and have seen and held a few more, IMHO they are too cumbersome and slow to be used in battle. A kalis, barong or spear would put the user of a panabas at very severe disadvantage. I also do not believe in the fear argument that they where used to strike fear into their opponents. I do not see a Moro being very fearful of an opponent coming at him with a panabas. I could see him smiling as he knows he is about to make him meet his maker.

Hello Mross,

I agree with you complete. I don't know next to nothing about MFA but I could imagine such a small panabas as second hand weapon.
But it's for sure a very good farmer tool too.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Probably not confirmation of use in combat IMHO. More likely some brittleness in a hardened edge which has chipped when striking something hard--a stone, hard piece of wood or metal, etc. (or even another weapon). [/QUOTE]

Hi Ian,

Yes, for sure there are different reasons for harmed edges, while Stones or metal by blow contact will cause break outs or bending a nick from edge to edge contact has a typical appearance when you look close. A damage from hard wood I hardly doubt, I've chopped some wood in my life, byself rusted nails in chopped wood get cut with no damage to the edge from the axe.
The damage/nicks by the blade in discussion not faultlessly determinable on first view.

Regards,
Detlef