West Sumba knife

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by Sajen

You may be correct but I've seen some apparently vintage blades without this horn ferrule.

oh for sure i dont think theres any definate rule, i think its just a preference, but most are horn.. any.. most old ones will not have a metal furrel but also most new ones wont either.
they do sure make it clear there they prefer the horn for asthetic and cultural reasons.. but generally the type of parang with a horse rider on the handle have more oftern a metal furrel than the other "tusk" shaped handled blades