Panabas

drac2k · 1st July 2015, 10:41 PM

I just picked up this panabas that looks like it was forged from a file ;whether or not the wave like designs were intentional , I think they look great. The blade is quite heavy and it measures approx. 3/8" thick at the base.

kronckew · 1st July 2015, 10:50 PM

cool, looks like it was a wood rasp in a former life.

panabas were apparently used by the local datu's bodyguard after a battle (assuming he won of course) to take the heads of the losers. dead or alive...

Sajen · 1st July 2015, 11:13 PM

Very nice and unusual example!

kino · 1st July 2015, 11:48 PM

If it were from a file, it must have been a monster of a file.
Have you tried etching it?
Thanks for sharing.

kronckew · 1st July 2015, 11:52 PM

rasps can be fairly large

what are the dimensions of the panabas, they can vary quite a bit.

here's a bowie of mine with a 12in. blade made from a rasp.

drac2k · 2nd July 2015, 03:10 AM

The blade is 16" x 2 1/2" at it's widest. I don't etch items from a fear that I could ruin them;having no experience , it would probably be a forgone conclusion

kronckew · 2nd July 2015, 10:54 AM

a parang made from a rasp, for comparison:

drac2k · 2nd July 2015, 01:23 PM

Living in a fairly active port, with the shipyards, the Navy,the various coal, container, grain, etc. terminals, I can remember seeing huge antique files for work aboard vessels. In those days (maybe 50 or 60 years ago), almost all of the repairs were done by the C/eng. .Given the long Spanish and the American presence in the Philippines, I could easily see some Philippine bartering with an American for a large piece of good steel!
I noticed that you have an anvil, a hammer, the files and several nice weapons;did you make those ?

1st July 2015, 10:41 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Panabas I just picked up this panabas that looks like it was forged from a file ;whether or not the wave like designs were intentional , I think they look great. The blade is quite heavy and it measures approx. 3/8" thick at the base. Attached Images

1st July 2015, 11:52 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	rasps can be fairly large what are the dimensions of the panabas, they can vary quite a bit. here's a bowie of mine with a 12in. blade made from a rasp. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 2nd July 2015 at 12:22 AM.

2nd July 2015, 10:54 AM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	a parang made from a rasp, for comparison: Attached Images

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1st July 2015, 10:50 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	cool, looks like it was a wood rasp in a former life. panabas were apparently used by the local datu's bodyguard after a battle (assuming he won of course) to take the heads of the losers. dead or alive...

1st July 2015, 11:13 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Very nice and unusual example!

1st July 2015, 11:48 PM	#4
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	If it were from a file, it must have been a monster of a file. Have you tried etching it? Thanks for sharing.

2nd July 2015, 03:10 AM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	The blade is 16" x 2 1/2" at it's widest. I don't etch items from a fear that I could ruin them;having no experience , it would probably be a forgone conclusion

2nd July 2015, 01:23 PM	#8
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Living in a fairly active port, with the shipyards, the Navy,the various coal, container, grain, etc. terminals, I can remember seeing huge antique files for work aboard vessels. In those days (maybe 50 or 60 years ago), almost all of the repairs were done by the C/eng. .Given the long Spanish and the American presence in the Philippines, I could easily see some Philippine bartering with an American for a large piece of good steel! I noticed that you have an anvil, a hammer, the files and several nice weapons;did you make those ?