Super mandau

VVV · 12th May 2007, 04:12 PM

Thanks for all your comments.
I am a bit surprised that it draw so much attention based only on the pictures.
On the price it was because one other Borneo sword collecting member of this forum (who hasn't commented it here) also was sniping high - bad luck.
I will have a closer look when I recieve it in a week or two.

Ben, I think seadayak sword is a very good description for this kind of parang.
Lew, I never disagreed with you that the scabbard looks more recent.
It was more the hilt and blade that caught my interest.
But I have the same experience as Arjan on some collected weapons so it's still open until I have recieved the parang.

Michael

DaveS · 13th May 2007, 02:36 AM

Michael: Sorry for running up the bid a little higher than usuall on a mandau. When i see nice iban pieces, sometimes adrenaline takes over. I think Lew might be right. The scabbard looks newer, but the blade and handle look much older. Some one commented earlier about pieces that were in some museums that looked almost brand new, but with a provenance over 100 yrs old. This all depends on how well the sword was taken care of. If it was well taken care of by the owner and then put into a museum collection , then yes, it would look almost new. Our mandau collection numbers over 200 pieces, some low quality, some average quality, and some about as good as it can get. We started collecting mandaus over 20 yrs ago when no one wanted them......., they were considered JUNK, like moro swords and many other types of ethnic swords. How times have changed!!!!!!!!!!!!Dave.

Bill M · 13th May 2007, 03:22 AM

DaveS and LonnaS have some of the finest swords I have ever seen. Including those in museums! W

W!!

Dajak · 13th May 2007, 06:37 AM

Hi Micheal I have in my collection an nice parang pedang it was an bring back
from an british officer in 1820 it looks like it is 30 years old .
The most important thing to look at is the style handle and blade type .
even that the scabbard is later must be no problem to buy such an nice parang .
The most important thing is always handle and blade , and if it has an nice scabbard even better but not important .
To me it is to good to be an tourist item it looks like an 19cht blade and handle.

The red cloth on it is typical Iban .

Like to see close up pics when you get it

Ben

VVV · 14th May 2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveS

Michael: Sorry for running up the bid a little higher than usuall on a mandau. When i see nice iban pieces, sometimes adrenaline takes over...

Hi Dave,

I recognise that adrenaline feeling when I see something rare and unusual.

Ben, I will send you pictures when I have recieved it.

Michael

VVV · 22nd May 2007, 01:17 PM

Hi all,

I recieved the Iban parang today. The stichings are not as white as on the eBay pictures and the scabbard and blade also have more patina than anticipated. The only half-shiny part is along the edges where the blade has been cleaned a bit too much.
What's also very unusual with this Iban parang is that it is double edged at the tip.

Michael

Dajak · 22nd May 2007, 05:22 PM

Hi michael nice old one pics are somethimes dicieving

Ben

Lew · 22nd May 2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi michael nice old one pics are somethimes dicieving

Ben

The pics here are much better than what was on the auction. I can see more age and patina but I still think the price paid was high when compared to other swords from that region of the world but to each his own.

Lew

VVV · 22nd May 2007, 06:05 PM

Thanks Ben and Lew,

It still has more patina IRL but it's difficult to catch it on the pictures.

On the price I am happy and I have seen several less rare Dayak parang sell for >$ 2,000...
I agree however that the one you linked to usually sells for less than $ 1,000.

Michael

13th May 2007, 03:22 AM	#3
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	DaveS and LonnaS have some of the finest swords I have ever seen. Including those in museums! WW!!

22nd May 2007, 01:17 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hi all, I recieved the Iban parang today. The stichings are not as white as on the eBay pictures and the scabbard and blade also have more patina than anticipated. The only half-shiny part is along the edges where the blade has been cleaned a bit too much. What's also very unusual with this Iban parang is that it is double edged at the tip. Michael Attached Images

12th May 2007, 04:12 PM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks for all your comments. I am a bit surprised that it draw so much attention based only on the pictures. On the price it was because one other Borneo sword collecting member of this forum (who hasn't commented it here) also was sniping high - bad luck. I will have a closer look when I recieve it in a week or two. Ben, I think seadayak sword is a very good description for this kind of parang. Lew, I never disagreed with you that the scabbard looks more recent. It was more the hilt and blade that caught my interest. But I have the same experience as Arjan on some collected weapons so it's still open until I have recieved the parang. Michael

13th May 2007, 02:36 AM	#2
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Michael: Sorry for running up the bid a little higher than usuall on a mandau. When i see nice iban pieces, sometimes adrenaline takes over. I think Lew might be right. The scabbard looks newer, but the blade and handle look much older. Some one commented earlier about pieces that were in some museums that looked almost brand new, but with a provenance over 100 yrs old. This all depends on how well the sword was taken care of. If it was well taken care of by the owner and then put into a museum collection , then yes, it would look almost new. Our mandau collection numbers over 200 pieces, some low quality, some average quality, and some about as good as it can get. We started collecting mandaus over 20 yrs ago when no one wanted them......., they were considered JUNK, like moro swords and many other types of ethnic swords. How times have changed!!!!!!!!!!!!Dave.

13th May 2007, 06:37 AM	#4
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Micheal I have in my collection an nice parang pedang it was an bring back from an british officer in 1820 it looks like it is 30 years old . The most important thing to look at is the style handle and blade type . even that the scabbard is later must be no problem to buy such an nice parang . The most important thing is always handle and blade , and if it has an nice scabbard even better but not important . To me it is to good to be an tourist item it looks like an 19cht blade and handle. The red cloth on it is typical Iban . Like to see close up pics when you get it Ben

22nd May 2007, 05:22 PM	#7
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi michael nice old one pics are somethimes dicieving Ben

22nd May 2007, 06:05 PM	#9
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks Ben and Lew, It still has more patina IRL but it's difficult to catch it on the pictures. On the price I am happy and I have seen several less rare Dayak parang sell for >$ 2,000... I agree however that the one you linked to usually sells for less than $ 1,000. Michael