Difference between a Klewang and Bangkung

Ian · 23rd December 2004, 01:42 PM

Spunjer:

Short answer: what we speak of as a "klewang" or "bangkung" reflects a difference in name, not the basic weapon. True, some are heavier than others, some have slightly curved edges, some have fancy file work on the blade, some have chisel edges, some have fancy brass hilts, etc., etc. Bottom line, they are all forward-weighted, single-edged chopping blades, that widen progressively from hilt to tip -- some are squared off at the end, others more rounded, and some have more unusual shapes.

The kampilan is an uncommonly long form of the same family of blade. The Dyak mandau is also in the same broad group. The dao of the Naga and Kachin in northern Burma, Assam, and nearby areas are futher examples. And the list goes on. The same basic design can be traced throughout SE Asia and beyond. It is an efficient blade for a chopper, often adopted from agricultural or domestic uses to the necessities of conflict -- that seems to be true for many different cultures and ethnic groups.

With respect to particular materials used to construct hilts or scabbards, I would be cautious in creating hard and fast rules for any weapons from the Philippines. There is considerable variety.

Ian.

VANDOO · 24th December 2004, 04:38 AM

OFTEN FUNCTION DETERMINES DESIGN, SO IN JUNGLE AREAS WHERE A HEAVY CHOPPER IS NEEDED THERE IS MUCH SIMULARITY IN THOSE UTITILATARIAN TOOLS. EVERYONE LIVING IN THESE ENVIRONMENTS NEEDS ONE OF THESE TOOLS AND IT ALSO SERVES AS A WEAPON IF NEED BE.
A INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP MAY DEVELOP WEAPONS FROM THESE TOOLS, THAT WILL BE DIFFERENT TO SET THEM APART FROM THE MORE COMMON CHOPPERS. FOR EXAMPLE THE TIBOLI SWORDS HAVE BEAUTIFUL ART WORK ON THE HANDLES AND SOMETIMES THE SCABBARDS BUT THE BLADES ARE PRIMARLY WORK BLADES. THE KANPLIAN IS TOO LONG TO BE A GOOD TOOL AND HAS A GAURD AND OFTEN A METAL GAURD AS WELL SO I WOULD CLASSIFY IT AS A WEAPON ONLY. KLEWANGS COME IN THE PLAIN WORKING VARITEY AND THE STATUS TYPES (WITH BEAUTIFUL SILVER WORKED SCABBARDS AND SHEITHS AND PARMOR BLADES) PEOPLE WEALTHY ENOUGH TO HAVE THEM HAD WORKERS OR SLAVES TO DO ALL THEIR WORK CHOPPING IN THE JUNGLES. I WOULD IMAGINE IN AREAS OR GROUPS WHERE THERE WAS CONSTANT FIGHTING WEAPONS WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO BE MODIFIED FOR A BETTER WEAPON. PEACFUL FARMING COMUNITYS WOULD MOSTLY HAVE STANDARD TOOLS PERHAPS WITH SOME LOCAL TRIBAL DECORATIONS.
A BANKUNG WILL STILL FUNCTION AS A GOOD JUNGLE CHOPPER BUT STILL MAKES A GOOD WEAPON ALSO.
I DON'T THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF HEAVY CHOPPING SWORDS IN DESERT AREAS AS THEY ARE NOT NEEDED, JUST A SMALL AXE FOR FIREWOOD PERHAPS. JUST A FEW THOUGHTS RIGHT OR WRONG

Spunjer · 24th December 2004, 03:37 PM

it seems like what is known as klewang is actually a catchall term for a certain type of indo weapon, much like the term 'bolo' in pilipino, yes? what i'm referring to as klewang, again is the one on artzi's website (http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1325), has a blade that is remarkably similar to the example of a bangkung on cato's book, save for the handle. since bangkung is a very rare moro weapon, how would i differentiate what is what? i'm sure besides the kakatua hilt and zel's naga hilt, there's prolly some other type of hilts out there we don't know about. that's what i'm trying to find out here; how do you know if it's an indo klewang or a moro bangkung?

23rd December 2004, 01:42 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,511	What's in a name? Spunjer: Short answer: what we speak of as a "klewang" or "bangkung" reflects a difference in name, not the basic weapon. True, some are heavier than others, some have slightly curved edges, some have fancy file work on the blade, some have chisel edges, some have fancy brass hilts, etc., etc. Bottom line, they are all forward-weighted, single-edged chopping blades, that widen progressively from hilt to tip -- some are squared off at the end, others more rounded, and some have more unusual shapes. The kampilan is an uncommonly long form of the same family of blade. The Dyak mandau is also in the same broad group. The dao of the Naga and Kachin in northern Burma, Assam, and nearby areas are futher examples. And the list goes on. The same basic design can be traced throughout SE Asia and beyond. It is an efficient blade for a chopper, often adopted from agricultural or domestic uses to the necessities of conflict -- that seems to be true for many different cultures and ethnic groups. With respect to particular materials used to construct hilts or scabbards, I would be cautious in creating hard and fast rules for any weapons from the Philippines. There is considerable variety. Ian.

24th December 2004, 04:38 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	OFTEN FUNCTION DETERMINES DESIGN, SO IN JUNGLE AREAS WHERE A HEAVY CHOPPER IS NEEDED THERE IS MUCH SIMULARITY IN THOSE UTITILATARIAN TOOLS. EVERYONE LIVING IN THESE ENVIRONMENTS NEEDS ONE OF THESE TOOLS AND IT ALSO SERVES AS A WEAPON IF NEED BE. A INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP MAY DEVELOP WEAPONS FROM THESE TOOLS, THAT WILL BE DIFFERENT TO SET THEM APART FROM THE MORE COMMON CHOPPERS. FOR EXAMPLE THE TIBOLI SWORDS HAVE BEAUTIFUL ART WORK ON THE HANDLES AND SOMETIMES THE SCABBARDS BUT THE BLADES ARE PRIMARLY WORK BLADES. THE KANPLIAN IS TOO LONG TO BE A GOOD TOOL AND HAS A GAURD AND OFTEN A METAL GAURD AS WELL SO I WOULD CLASSIFY IT AS A WEAPON ONLY. KLEWANGS COME IN THE PLAIN WORKING VARITEY AND THE STATUS TYPES (WITH BEAUTIFUL SILVER WORKED SCABBARDS AND SHEITHS AND PARMOR BLADES) PEOPLE WEALTHY ENOUGH TO HAVE THEM HAD WORKERS OR SLAVES TO DO ALL THEIR WORK CHOPPING IN THE JUNGLES. I WOULD IMAGINE IN AREAS OR GROUPS WHERE THERE WAS CONSTANT FIGHTING WEAPONS WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO BE MODIFIED FOR A BETTER WEAPON. PEACFUL FARMING COMUNITYS WOULD MOSTLY HAVE STANDARD TOOLS PERHAPS WITH SOME LOCAL TRIBAL DECORATIONS. A BANKUNG WILL STILL FUNCTION AS A GOOD JUNGLE CHOPPER BUT STILL MAKES A GOOD WEAPON ALSO. I DON'T THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF HEAVY CHOPPING SWORDS IN DESERT AREAS AS THEY ARE NOT NEEDED, JUST A SMALL AXE FOR FIREWOOD PERHAPS. JUST A FEW THOUGHTS RIGHT OR WRONG

24th December 2004, 03:37 PM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	it seems like what is known as klewang is actually a catchall term for a certain type of indo weapon, much like the term 'bolo' in pilipino, yes? what i'm referring to as klewang, again is the one on artzi's website (http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1325), has a blade that is remarkably similar to the example of a bangkung on cato's book, save for the handle. since bangkung is a very rare moro weapon, how would i differentiate what is what? i'm sure besides the kakatua hilt and zel's naga hilt, there's prolly some other type of hilts out there we don't know about. that's what i'm trying to find out here; how do you know if it's an indo klewang or a moro bangkung?