Garab Pattern

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by jwkiernan

Wow Ron, beautiful piece! Also a very nice piece Kino! I have attached a picture of mine...a wee bit shorter in the blade department at 17 1/2", but the spine by the handle is 1/2 ".

After seeing yours I am curious if this one is laminated...please pardon my photography skills (or lack there of)! Merry Christmas to you all!

All my best,

John

Nice example John. It seems that it has just the style of "eye" I have given mine example. Maybe you can post a close up from it?

Regards,

Detlef

[Spunjer]

thanks for everyone's excellent example!
kino, your second picture turned out great! seems to be the contrasting handle/scabbard is more common. it does look good tho. even John's example seems to be contrasting as well..
John, you should try etching yours, you never know! like i said, i never expected mine to be laminated. easiest way to find out would be the "hot water test" (strip oil then run the blade under hot water. if it's laminated, you'll see the lamination appear before your eyes). also, thanks for the scabbard shot. the "eye" is very similar to Detlef's talibon.
Montino, the pommel on yours is an enigma. i had a similar pommel before, but it didn't have the eyes and mouth. looking at the overall picture, it could be a snake type creature (naga or bakunawa?)
Detlef, what i'm concern about is the purpose of these so-called eyes. perhaps, it's just that, a decoration, but with all the symbolism and mysticism of that time period, especially with the Pulahanes cult, it could be something that the original owner have to earn, like his rank within the group. or perhaps an anting-anting (magical amulet) granted by the leader? it's a fact that the Pulahanes were given some type of oraciones (a mystical incantation) written in a piece of paper given to them by the leader before going to a battle to render them invincible, so perhaps these eyes would be a variation? a pre-drilled hole on the scabbard's toe would be logical just in case they get awarded with an anting-anting

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

Detlef, what i'm concern about is the purpose of these so-called eyes. perhaps, it's just that, a decoration, but with all the symbolism and mysticism of that time period, especially with the Pulahanes cult, it could be something that the original owner have to earn, like his rank within the group. or perhaps an anting-anting (magical amulet) granted by the leader? it's a fact that the Pulahanes were given some type of oraciones (a mystical incantation) written in a piece of paper given to them by the leader before going to a battle to render them invincible, so perhaps these eyes would be a variation? a pre-drilled hole on the scabbard's toe would be logical just in case they get awarded with an anting-anting

Yes Ron, good possible since I have seen some without this "eye". Even my one seems never has had one when I get it.

Regards,

Detlef

[VVV]

Thanks for an interesting thread about my favorite Visayan sword.
I can only add that several of my garab do have contrasting wood and color on their handles and scabbards.
Here is the most extreme one.

Michael

[VANDOO]

VERY NICE EXAMPLES, IT SEEMS I REMEMBER SOME FORUM MEMBER REPLACEING A LOST EYE ON HIS EXAMPLE IN A OLDER POST.
I THINK THIS EYE AS WELL AS STYLE OF CARVING MAY BE REGIONAL, AS WELL AS HAVING SOME TAILSMAN POWER OR MEANING. THE CARVING REMINDS ME OF SOME ON EXAMPLES FROM SAMAR ISLAND. THE AMOUNT OF CARVING AS WELL AS THE STYLE OFTEN SEEM TO VARY FROM ISLAND TO ISLAND AS WELL AS TRIBE TO TRIBE AND TIME PERIODS. TOO BAD WE DON'T HAVE A CHART PINNING IT ALL DOWN.
HERE ARE A FEW VARIATIONS FROM MY PICTURE FILES I HOPE I DON'T DUPLICATE SOMEONES SWORD.

[kronckew]

they are of course still being made. i don't find mine handles too badly. however, once you commit to a strike, it has a mind of it's own and is more difficult to change direction than say, my pinute or ginunting, etc.

[jwkiernan]

Here are a couple close-up photo's of the toe and "eye"...beautiful blades one and all!

Best regards,

John

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

VERY NICE EXAMPLES, IT SEEMS I REMEMBER SOME FORUM MEMBER REPLACEING A LOST EYE ON HIS EXAMPLE IN A OLDER POST.

HERE ARE A FEW VARIATIONS FROM MY PICTURE FILES I HOPE I DON'T DUPLICATE SOMEONES SWORD.

Hello Barry,

you remember correct, this was my one, it is also shown by you, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=talibon
No problem that you have shown it again!

The most interesting example you have shown is the second one, I am unsure if we can call it talibon.

Regards,

Detlef

[Sajen]

And here a thread where some more nice examples was shown: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=talibon

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by VVV

Thanks for an interesting thread about my favorite Visayan sword.
I can only add that several of my garab do have contrasting wood and color on their handles and scabbards.
Here is the most extreme one.

Michael

Very nice and unusual example, thank you for sharing!

Regards,

Detlef