Sundang Bisaya

kino · 25th October 2011, 12:28 AM

Heeding Vandoo's call to arms.
I picked this one up a month ago. Sadly the hilt has a huge crack on one side but not so bad on the other. Hilt carved from horn, I'm suspecting that the octagonal ferrule is brass.
It's on the small side at 20 inches overall with a 15-1/2 inch blade. The blade is pretty hefty at the forte at 3/8 inch thick. The blade is sharpened on both sides. It's a nice little chopper.

VANDOO · 25th October 2011, 01:09 AM

A VERY INTERESTING ITEM, I LIKE IT A LOT.

WHEN I FIRST LOOKED AT IT I ONLY SAW THE TOP FRONT FACE OF THE HANDLE. THE TOP PART LOOKED LIKE AN EAGLE HEAD WITH A SKULL UNDER IT. LOOKING AT THE OTHER PICTURES THIS IS NOT APPARENT AND IT IS A MORE TYPICAL MONSTER FACE.
FOR SOME REASON THIS SWORD REMINDS ME OF THOSE THAT OFTEN HAVE THE BAT EARED HEAD FOR A POMMEL. PERHAPS SOMEONE CAN COMMENT ON THIS SIMULARITY AND IF IT MAY COME FROM THE SAME REGION. OR NOT?

Rick · 25th October 2011, 01:36 AM

Currently suffering from a sinus infection, I am getting a kick out of the hilt .

3/8ths is a very hefty blade .
Interesting to have a blade profile like that and also be sharpened on both edges .
Or do you mean that it is not a chisel grind ?

Battara · 25th October 2011, 02:17 AM

Yes what an interesting piece. It may be cracked but nothing is missing!

I agree about it being Bisayan.

Congratulations! and thanks for posting.

VANDOO · 25th October 2011, 02:24 AM

THE BLADE SHAPE AND SWORD SIZE IS WHAT REMINDED ME OF THE BAT EARED DESIGNS I HAVE SEEN. THE ONES I HAVE SEEN DID NOT HAVE DOUBLE EDGED BLADES THOUGH. THATS A FIRST FOR ME ON THIS FORM.
I HAVE SEEN A FEW HILTS WHERE CARVING SIMULAR TO YOUR EXAMPLE REPRESENTED A LION SO PERHAPS ITS A LION. I WOULD THINK A DOUBLE EDGE WOULD BE USEFUL IN A WEAPON BUT NOT SO MUCH AS A TOOL.

DON'T LET AN ITEM BEING CRACKED THROW YOU OFF. MANY OF MY FRIENDS INSIST I AM CRACKED FOR COLLECTING SUCH THINGS AT ALL

ibeam · 25th October 2011, 02:55 AM

What characteristics makes this sword from Visayas?

Spunjer · 25th October 2011, 06:12 AM

dunno bro... looks bicol to me

25th October 2011, 12:28 AM	#1
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 998	Sundang Bisaya Heeding Vandoo's call to arms. I picked this one up a month ago. Sadly the hilt has a huge crack on one side but not so bad on the other. Hilt carved from horn, I'm suspecting that the octagonal ferrule is brass. It's on the small side at 20 inches overall with a 15-1/2 inch blade. The blade is pretty hefty at the forte at 3/8 inch thick. The blade is sharpened on both sides. It's a nice little chopper. Attached Images

25th October 2011, 01:09 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A VERY INTERESTING ITEM, I LIKE IT A LOT. WHEN I FIRST LOOKED AT IT I ONLY SAW THE TOP FRONT FACE OF THE HANDLE. THE TOP PART LOOKED LIKE AN EAGLE HEAD WITH A SKULL UNDER IT. LOOKING AT THE OTHER PICTURES THIS IS NOT APPARENT AND IT IS A MORE TYPICAL MONSTER FACE. FOR SOME REASON THIS SWORD REMINDS ME OF THOSE THAT OFTEN HAVE THE BAT EARED HEAD FOR A POMMEL. PERHAPS SOMEONE CAN COMMENT ON THIS SIMULARITY AND IF IT MAY COME FROM THE SAME REGION. OR NOT?

25th October 2011, 01:36 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,273	Currently suffering from a sinus infection, I am getting a kick out of the hilt . 3/8ths is a very hefty blade . Interesting to have a blade profile like that and also be sharpened on both edges . Or do you mean that it is not a chisel grind ?

25th October 2011, 02:17 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,170	Yes what an interesting piece. It may be cracked but nothing is missing! I agree about it being Bisayan. Congratulations! and thanks for posting.

25th October 2011, 02:24 AM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE BLADE SHAPE AND SWORD SIZE IS WHAT REMINDED ME OF THE BAT EARED DESIGNS I HAVE SEEN. THE ONES I HAVE SEEN DID NOT HAVE DOUBLE EDGED BLADES THOUGH. THATS A FIRST FOR ME ON THIS FORM. I HAVE SEEN A FEW HILTS WHERE CARVING SIMULAR TO YOUR EXAMPLE REPRESENTED A LION SO PERHAPS ITS A LION. I WOULD THINK A DOUBLE EDGE WOULD BE USEFUL IN A WEAPON BUT NOT SO MUCH AS A TOOL. DON'T LET AN ITEM BEING CRACKED THROW YOU OFF. MANY OF MY FRIENDS INSIST I AM CRACKED FOR COLLECTING SUCH THINGS AT ALL

25th October 2011, 02:55 AM	#6
ibeam Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 134	What characteristics makes this sword from Visayas?

25th October 2011, 06:12 AM	#7
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	dunno bro... looks bicol to me