Hi Michael,
The degree of similarity would indeed be quite high given the proximity of N Borneo with Sulu and Mindanao, and I won't even rule out the possibility of blades travelling from one area to another. However, my observations had been that the Malay sundang tend to be smaller (the size of a large pandai saras is not out of question, though they shd be slightly larger than that) and have features closer to other kerises (e.g. the execution of the kembang kacang, the greneng, the ganja). We would need to look more closely at the base of the blade to see the differences.
Of the other examples I can remember, I have seen one that went through Adni very recently. Perhaps he can provide some photos, if the new owner would permit. I think that would be a perfect example for discussion. There is also another example in Paul de Souza's collection. There was another specimen on ebay quite a long while back, snagged by someone with the ID "Amisar" (whoever he is); that was a fantastic example. And if memory serves me right, Dave Henkel has one too, and in similar sandang walikat sheath too.
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