Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Federico · 13th March 2005, 04:37 AM

I dont think asang-asang placement would be a good indication of age, perse. Though it would be a good sign of originality. It is much harder to put the tails (having done this) on the inside with the tang, than trying to wrap them under the hilt. This requires complete removal of the hilt, vs Ive seen many under the wrap jobs that were done with the hilt on. I just dont buy the whole they are there to secure the blade to hilt. Similar attachment is used for kris, barong, kampilan (much bigger blade more torque), yet why the kris the only one with extra support. Also, aside from the iron one piece clamps, many asang-asang are rather flimsy, very thin tales, and often the clamps themselves are not solid, but rather a thin stock that has been repoussed out and then filled with pitch. Also, we can note the durablity of blades that have lost their clamps. However, of course we could explain that clamps on modern pieces are just vestigual tradition, eg. the new pieces dont need em just have em because the early ones did. However, examining my own early kris, hilt security isnt the big problem, but rather rotation. Though these are just my observations from having handled a number of kris that had been taken apart.

13th March 2005, 04:37 AM	#1
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	I dont think asang-asang placement would be a good indication of age, perse. Though it would be a good sign of originality. It is much harder to put the tails (having done this) on the inside with the tang, than trying to wrap them under the hilt. This requires complete removal of the hilt, vs Ive seen many under the wrap jobs that were done with the hilt on. I just dont buy the whole they are there to secure the blade to hilt. Similar attachment is used for kris, barong, kampilan (much bigger blade more torque), yet why the kris the only one with extra support. Also, aside from the iron one piece clamps, many asang-asang are rather flimsy, very thin tales, and often the clamps themselves are not solid, but rather a thin stock that has been repoussed out and then filled with pitch. Also, we can note the durablity of blades that have lost their clamps. However, of course we could explain that clamps on modern pieces are just vestigual tradition, eg. the new pieces dont need em just have em because the early ones did. However, examining my own early kris, hilt security isnt the big problem, but rather rotation. Though these are just my observations from having handled a number of kris that had been taken apart.