Question about black mandau

[Godfried]

Originally Posted by Bob A

Would there be any reason to think that the "blackening" of the blade was intended to function as a rust preventive, similar to the bluing or browning of Western firearms?

Could be but usually put with it then in the fat or oil. I personally think it was done in Borneo itself. If you are a european collector why would you blacken that mandau when e.g. the handle is very finely carved and, as you can see in the photo, complicated rattan buttons, etc., you have "raped" as a collector, in my opinion, a beautiful sword.