OLD AND NEW BARUNGS

xasterix · 25th August 2020, 04:07 AM

Greetings everyone,

Thanks to everyone who appreciated my previous modern pira post. Here's a lineup of a close friend of mine. Mostly modern barungs from the Sulu archipelago. In the blades-out pic, only the two long ones with dark-brown-hilts are old.

In the scabbarded pic, some Palawan badungs have been thrown into the mix.

Further proof that the traditional arts are alive and well.

kai · 25th August 2020, 08:06 AM

Now, that's a line-up, complete with dwarf barung! Thanks, Xas!

The artisans obviously put a lot of effort into crafting these. However, I have yet to find any modern style hilts that resemble the ergonomics of the old-style designs. (I have to stipulate though, that I haven't handled enough modern hilts to make a general statement.)

I know it's hard to change a cultural development of possibly over 100 years. Wouldn't it make sense though to also try to reproduce old-style hilts, especially if functional blades are desired?

Regards,
Kai

xasterix · 26th August 2020, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Now, that's a line-up, complete with dwarf barung! Thanks, Xas!

The artisans obviously put a lot of effort into crafting these. However, I have yet to find any modern style hilts that resemble the ergonomics of the old-style designs. (I have to stipulate though, that I haven't handled enough modern hilts to make a general statement.)

I know it's hard to change a cultural development of possibly over 100 years. Wouldn't it make sense though to also try to reproduce old-style hilts, especially if functional blades are desired?

Regards,
Kai

Good point on the hilts. Really ergonomic hilts like those of the old ones are hard to come by nowadays. They're still around, but it takes some digging (and access to difficult-to-reach areas) to locate artisans who have the knowledge and skill to make ergonomic hilts.

kai · 26th August 2020, 02:23 AM

I'd certainly love to see any examples you may came across. Thanks, Xas!

Regards,
Kai

Interested Party · 4th September 2020, 02:27 PM

How do older hilts differ in the hand from modern ones? Do the older hilts move the balance to or away from the point? Or do the modern hilts have a twisty, insecure feel in the hand? Is it a difference in how they slice across a target?

kai · 4th September 2020, 05:54 PM

Hilts from the 19th century (or older) are a joy to hold. Period. (Only really extravagant renditions of junggayan hilts compromise ergonomics for show. The vast majority of all extant examples offers a very positive grip.)

Modern hilts tend to dig into the palm of the hand during usage and some also put undue stress on the pinkie - they can be a real pain to use for any extended period. Usually they are made from less dense wood (weightwise this may be "compensated for" by more bulky design) and not well polished.

I'm afraid I never bought any modern Sulu hilt. Thus, I currently can't compare them directly side by side.

Regards,
Kai

25th August 2020, 04:07 AM	#1
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 653	OLD AND NEW BARUNGS Greetings everyone, Thanks to everyone who appreciated my previous modern pira post. Here's a lineup of a close friend of mine. Mostly modern barungs from the Sulu archipelago. In the blades-out pic, only the two long ones with dark-brown-hilts are old. In the scabbarded pic, some Palawan badungs have been thrown into the mix. Further proof that the traditional arts are alive and well. Attached Images

25th August 2020, 08:06 AM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Now, that's a line-up, complete with dwarf barung! Thanks, Xas! The artisans obviously put a lot of effort into crafting these. However, I have yet to find any modern style hilts that resemble the ergonomics of the old-style designs. (I have to stipulate though, that I haven't handled enough modern hilts to make a general statement.) I know it's hard to change a cultural development of possibly over 100 years. Wouldn't it make sense though to also try to reproduce old-style hilts, especially if functional blades are desired? Regards, Kai

26th August 2020, 02:23 AM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	I'd certainly love to see any examples you may came across. Thanks, Xas! Regards, Kai

4th September 2020, 02:27 PM	#5
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 464	How do older hilts differ in the hand from modern ones? Do the older hilts move the balance to or away from the point? Or do the modern hilts have a twisty, insecure feel in the hand? Is it a difference in how they slice across a target?

4th September 2020, 05:54 PM	#6
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hilts from the 19th century (or older) are a joy to hold. Period. (Only really extravagant renditions of junggayan hilts compromise ergonomics for show. The vast majority of all extant examples offers a very positive grip.) Modern hilts tend to dig into the palm of the hand during usage and some also put undue stress on the pinkie - they can be a real pain to use for any extended period. Usually they are made from less dense wood (weightwise this may be "compensated for" by more bulky design) and not well polished. I'm afraid I never bought any modern Sulu hilt. Thus, I currently can't compare them directly side by side. Regards, Kai