what mandau is this?

[Ian]

Jose:

Yes, you are correct, as usual, about the decoration of these blades. What I should have said was that the dots and other brass ornaments are placed there at the time the blade is manufactured/forged (not during the actual forging process). Similarly, the file and chisel work are done by a skilled metal worker at the same time. So basically all of the blade's decoration is done before the hilt is attached and the sword is used.

Ian.

Originally Posted by Battara

I hate to disagree with Ian and Maurice, but I don't believe that the brass/bronze can be made during the forging process. Forging steel has to be done at such high temperatures that the bronze/brass material would be molten. It is too soft for this process, and therefore must be inserted after the steel forging process. Only then can one engrave holes or grooves to which the bronze/brass can be hammered.