Garab Pattern

Spunjer · 23rd December 2013, 10:27 PM

nine out of ten, whenever i see a blade that has those rough, horizontal grind lines, i tend to think "no way this blade is laminated". on top of that, it's visayan, which in a way, doesn't normally use laminated steel.
well, my vacation started today and with nothing to do, i decided to clean a garab i've had for awhile. the blade was covered with a thin coat of cosmoline, so i decided to work on this. beneath the coat, i can see those deep horizontal grooves which was no big deal. what attracted me with this particular piece is that it's complete, save for the talismanic button at the base of the scabbard. also, i thought it was rather neat that the handle has a nice contrast to the scabbard (yes, the scabbard is original to the sword as far as i can tell). also, this piece is a beast. with just the blade at 20 1/2" long, the thickness closest to the handle is 1/2"! needless to say, it feels awkward, but hey, whoever owned this originally prolly knew what he was doing.
anyway, back to the blade:
as i was stripping the cosmoline with hot running water, i noticed that i could see some lines popping out, so i went ahead and etched the blade. i couldn't believe the lamination pattern that was coming out. i etched the spine as well. never would've thought i'd see this much layer on a sword's spine.
well, enjoy!

Spunjer · 23rd December 2013, 10:30 PM

garab sheathed. ain't she purty?

CharlesS · 24th December 2013, 01:18 AM

May be the nicest, most complete and pretty one I have ever seen.

Congrats!

Sajen · 24th December 2013, 04:46 AM

Stunning garab!

Do you going to replace the eye at end of the scabbard?

Regards,

Detlef

Battara · 24th December 2013, 07:35 PM

What a great piece! I'm so happy for you (grumble, grumble

).

kino · 25th December 2013, 12:29 AM

Good looking sword. I've ran across very few Visayan swords that were subtly laminated, unlike yours which has a prominent pattern. It's odd that it would have a hilt hewn from a wood that is different from the scabbard.

Here is another one that is almost in proportion to yours. OAL 25-1/4", blade 19-1/2", 3/8" thick.

I hope you don't mind me piggybacking my photos to yours.

23rd December 2013, 10:27 PM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Garab Pattern nine out of ten, whenever i see a blade that has those rough, horizontal grind lines, i tend to think "no way this blade is laminated". on top of that, it's visayan, which in a way, doesn't normally use laminated steel. well, my vacation started today and with nothing to do, i decided to clean a garab i've had for awhile. the blade was covered with a thin coat of cosmoline, so i decided to work on this. beneath the coat, i can see those deep horizontal grooves which was no big deal. what attracted me with this particular piece is that it's complete, save for the talismanic button at the base of the scabbard. also, i thought it was rather neat that the handle has a nice contrast to the scabbard (yes, the scabbard is original to the sword as far as i can tell). also, this piece is a beast. with just the blade at 20 1/2" long, the thickness closest to the handle is 1/2"! needless to say, it feels awkward, but hey, whoever owned this originally prolly knew what he was doing. anyway, back to the blade: as i was stripping the cosmoline with hot running water, i noticed that i could see some lines popping out, so i went ahead and etched the blade. i couldn't believe the lamination pattern that was coming out. i etched the spine as well. never would've thought i'd see this much layer on a sword's spine. well, enjoy! Attached Images

23rd December 2013, 10:30 PM	#2
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	garab sheathed. ain't she purty? Attached Images

25th December 2013, 12:29 AM	#6
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 975	Good looking sword. I've ran across very few Visayan swords that were subtly laminated, unlike yours which has a prominent pattern. It's odd that it would have a hilt hewn from a wood that is different from the scabbard. Here is another one that is almost in proportion to yours. OAL 25-1/4", blade 19-1/2", 3/8" thick. I hope you don't mind me piggybacking my photos to yours. Attached Images

24th December 2013, 01:18 AM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	May be the nicest, most complete and pretty one I have ever seen. Congrats!

24th December 2013, 04:46 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,499	Stunning garab! Do you going to replace the eye at end of the scabbard? Regards, Detlef

24th December 2013, 07:35 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	What a great piece! I'm so happy for you (grumble, grumble ).