Odd Parang?

Emanuel · 27th January 2008, 03:53 PM

A couple of months ago I saw what looked like a very interesting parang on ebay. I didn't bid on it and later I forgot about it, but I had saved the pictures and I thought I'd put them up for discussion. Now looking back at the pics, it looks fairly crude in execution. Despite their quantity, the fittings are crudely cut and engraved

I don't remember the stats, and the seller's story was irrelevant.
What do you folks think?

Emanuel

Rick · 27th January 2008, 06:48 PM

I think I remember this piece but not the Seller's story; or I have seen a very similar example .
This appears to be from the southern Philippines; their interpretation of a Katana, most likely post WWII .

Jose ?

Battara · 27th January 2008, 10:09 PM

Maranao tourist piece - yeah, katana like to catch the unwary. Probably aluminum fittings. Very recent.

Emanuel · 27th January 2008, 10:12 PM

Thanks, I do recall that it went for a pretty penny, 200$ or so.

Battara · 28th January 2008, 01:23 AM

It probably sold for 25-50 dollars USD to this dealer from the PI.

Emanuel · 28th January 2008, 02:21 AM

I'm guessing the buyer thoughts it's so odd it must be good

incidentally, there was a bit of a fight recently on a garbage tourist keris. The scabbard was profusely carved with all sorts of snakes and flowers and the painted copper blade was encrusted in "gold". Last I saw it was 150$ or so with couple hours left in the auction. People must really go for this excessive bling, I know I did with my first ebay purchase

.

Battara · 28th January 2008, 10:46 PM

What does Rsword call it - "cost of tuition"

RSWORD · 28th January 2008, 11:37 PM

Tuition comes in different varieties. Certainly as a beginning collector we are all impressed with flashy objects or very large objects that seem like true bargains. If we continue with our "studies" we eventually put a little of that dough into books and travel to interact with other collectors and students. As we get more serious in our educational pursuits, there is probably a period where a little bit of knowledge is fairly dangerous and we make that purchase that is not original or a good reproduction, again part of our tuition to the collecting college. Eventually, we become seniors(probably both in age and class status) that have been around the block a few times and become a bit more astute in exactly what we are collecting, why we collect what we do, and learning as much as we can about what we do end up focusing on. It is a lifelong pursuit wrought with many poor choices, bad buying decisions but in the end we hopefully finish with a few pieces we are proud to take care of until time to pass onto the future sharp pointy thing collectors.

CharlesS · 29th January 2008, 05:57 PM

RSword exhibits great insight and wisdom....what a rare and noteworthy moment for us all!

RSWORD · 29th January 2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

RSword exhibits great insight and wisdom....what a rare and noteworthy moment for us all!

Almost as rare as something humurous from you!

(sorry, inside joke here)

Battara · 29th January 2008, 11:43 PM

I agree with you both whole heartedly.

On the cost of tuition - I have had to take out a loan on occassion..

27th January 2008, 03:53 PM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Odd Parang? A couple of months ago I saw what looked like a very interesting parang on ebay. I didn't bid on it and later I forgot about it, but I had saved the pictures and I thought I'd put them up for discussion. Now looking back at the pics, it looks fairly crude in execution. Despite their quantity, the fittings are crudely cut and engraved I don't remember the stats, and the seller's story was irrelevant. What do you folks think? Emanuel Attached Images Last edited by Manolo; 27th January 2008 at 04:03 PM.

27th January 2008, 06:48 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I think I remember this piece but not the Seller's story; or I have seen a very similar example . This appears to be from the southern Philippines; their interpretation of a Katana, most likely post WWII . Jose ?

27th January 2008, 10:09 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Maranao tourist piece - yeah, katana like to catch the unwary. Probably aluminum fittings. Very recent.

27th January 2008, 10:12 PM	#4
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Thanks, I do recall that it went for a pretty penny, 200$ or so.

28th January 2008, 01:23 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	It probably sold for 25-50 dollars USD to this dealer from the PI.

28th January 2008, 02:21 AM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	I'm guessing the buyer thoughts it's so odd it must be good incidentally, there was a bit of a fight recently on a garbage tourist keris. The scabbard was profusely carved with all sorts of snakes and flowers and the painted copper blade was encrusted in "gold". Last I saw it was 150$ or so with couple hours left in the auction. People must really go for this excessive bling, I know I did with my first ebay purchase .

28th January 2008, 10:46 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	What does Rsword call it - "cost of tuition"

28th January 2008, 11:37 PM	#8
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Tuition comes in different varieties. Certainly as a beginning collector we are all impressed with flashy objects or very large objects that seem like true bargains. If we continue with our "studies" we eventually put a little of that dough into books and travel to interact with other collectors and students. As we get more serious in our educational pursuits, there is probably a period where a little bit of knowledge is fairly dangerous and we make that purchase that is not original or a good reproduction, again part of our tuition to the collecting college. Eventually, we become seniors(probably both in age and class status) that have been around the block a few times and become a bit more astute in exactly what we are collecting, why we collect what we do, and learning as much as we can about what we do end up focusing on. It is a lifelong pursuit wrought with many poor choices, bad buying decisions but in the end we hopefully finish with a few pieces we are proud to take care of until time to pass onto the future sharp pointy thing collectors.

29th January 2008, 05:57 PM	#9
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	RSword exhibits great insight and wisdom....what a rare and noteworthy moment for us all!

29th January 2008, 11:43 PM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	I agree with you both whole heartedly. On the cost of tuition - I have had to take out a loan on occassion..