My new mandau
 

Just won a bid for a mandau (must be a beginner's luck -my first bidding on ebay and first win) and duly paid and now waiting for the goods to arrive.

The price is modest and I guess the real mandau collectors were not too interested probably for reasons I listed below but I'd love to get your comments about what you think about this mandau.

What I can see is as follows:-

(a) Bad points

1-The hilt and the scabbard were probably not of the same suit. The hilt looked too big for the scabbard and the blade look like a replacement to fit into the shorter length of the scabbard.

2-The whole length is only 59cm which is rather short for average mandau (65cm?)

3- the carving on the hilt looked crude

4- the blade is badly maintained and simple - probably a replacement from the original?

5- the hair on the hilt looked like new human hair

(b) Good points

1- It's a complete set with nice side knife

2- scabbard look good with good carvings

3- the hilt of the main sword and side knife were made of deer horn ? instead of wood.

Hello Green,
this mandau coming from Germany and I have handled it in person and think that it isn't very old.

Regards,
Detlef

Hi Sajen;

Very good to hear that you've handled it personally. For the price I paid for it I did not expect it to be really old. I'd be happy if it's mid 20th century. Do you think it is so or later?

one more question, the hilt and the back half of the piso raut (side knife) looked to me from some kind of deer antler? am I correct?

Hi Green,

age I think is maybe 80ties, difficult to say, I have it in hand only short while we talking, I've looked for something different. And yes, the handle and some other parts are from deer antler (tanduk).

Salam,
Detlef

Hey Detlef,

I am quite fascinated by the mandau designs and wish to collect them. What clues gave away the age to you - aside from the corrosion/patina or lack-there-of on the blade? All input is welcome - thank you!

Sincerely,

just received this mandau today and massively disappointed. It's tiny and certainly NOT a real mandau for use. better suited to cut onions than heads !!! Could've been a mandau model for souvenir/ present. I won't pay ten dollars for it if I see it 'live' in a shop before buying.

Ah well, chalk it on learning experience and always to read description carefully before
buying on ebay! :mad:

Yup ePray: buyer beware, unfortunately.

Sorry about your situation on this.

It seems that I have overseen your question. I am far away to be an expert for mandaus but think that I can read patina. This piece lacking patination. For good mandaus do a little bit search here with the keywords "mandau" and "Dayak".

Best regards,
Detlef