Show us your bankung

[Nonoy Tan]

Hi Kai,

I am not familiar with the origin of the scabbard, but assume that it was likely not rare nor special at that time. This "bangkung" was likely a farm or chopping tool and perhaps did not need an elaborate scabbard in the first place.

I am not sure if it would be appropriate to classify the scabbard as "moro" or "non-moro."

Here is a photo from Krieger's 1926 work. The basketry on the left is attributed to Basilan of the Sulu Archipelago.

Nonoy

[VANDOO]

BANGKUNG IS IT A MORO SWORD THAT INFLUENCED THE BAGOBO/TIBOLI SWORDS OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND. THE BLADE FORM IS VERY SIMULAR ON MANY EXAMPLES. HERE ARE PICTURES OF SEVERAL VARIATIONS, TWO EVEN HAVE A CROOKED BLADE WITH BASIC BANKUNG FORM, IS THERE A NAME FOR THIS SWORD? PICTURES
#1.,#2. & #3. A LONG BANGKUNG MANTERIS HAD. IT WAS AT LEAST 25IN. LONG. AND HAD GOOD PATINA AND WAS IN PERFECT SHAPE.
#4., #5., #6, & #7. SAID TO BE PALAWAN, TAQBANUA TRIBE
#8. & #9. TWO EXAMPLES OF THE UNUSUAL BENT BLADED SWORD.
#10. BAGOBO/ TIBOLI SWORDS, WITH BANGKUNG LIKE BLADES.

[imas560]

Hello all,
Here's mine.
OAL 27.5"/700mm

[CharlesS]

Here are my examples. Technically the top example is NOT a bangkung, but certainly serves the same function. That shorter one is surprisingly heavier than either of the larger examples shown.

The scabbards on the top and middle one are new.

[CharlesS]

Kino,

I think your example is, from top to bottom, the finest example I have seen of a bangkung. The lovely blade, along with the extraordinary hilt and pommel make it quite a fine piece.

The thickened reinforcement at the forte reminds me of many Indonesian klewang styles I have seen. Wonder if there has to be some influence there?

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Here are my examples. Technically the top example is NOT a bangkung, but certainly serves the same function. That shorter one is surprisingly heavier than either of the larger examples shown.

The scabbards on the top and middle one are new.

Charles, if the top example is emphatically not a bangkung, what is it? Here is one I acquired today, identified by the seller as a "banyal". There is strong resemblance in blade and scabbard, although your hilt is much nicer.

- Dave A.

[blue lander]

Here's my bankung. It's brand new. It's about as utilitarian as it comes. I intend to use it to clear brush in my back yard.

[Ian]

Hi Blue Lander:

The hilt and scabbard look Visayan on your new one. Does it have a chisel-edge or V-edge?

Ian.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by blue lander

Here's my bankung. It's brand new. It's about as utilitarian as it comes. I intend to use it to clear brush in my back yard.

Agree with Ian, Visayan Binangon.

[Ian]

Here are two of mine. The top one is a small bangkung, similar to the one posted by kino, in a mid-20th C. scabbard.

The second one is larger and was exhibited in the Macau Museum of Art's "History of Steel Exhibition" in 2006.

Ian.

[Hefezola]

Sharing mine

[Cthulhu]

Interesting piece, Hefezola. The way the scabbard is held together is unusual to my eye; I've seen many instances of wrapping all the way around the sheath, but not around little inset areas. But it gives a lot more space to show off the carving, that's for sure.

It's a little hard to get an overall impression of the item without a photo showing the whole thing at once, can you post one?

[Hefezola]

Originally Posted by Cthulhu

Interesting piece, Hefezola. The way the scabbard is held together is unusual to my eye; I've seen many instances of wrapping all the way around the sheath, but not around little inset areas. But it gives a lot more space to show off the carving, that's for sure.

It's a little hard to get an overall impression of the item without a photo showing the whole thing at once, can you post one?

Will send more pictures soon

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Nonoy Tan

Hi Kai,

I am not familiar with the origin of the scabbard, but assume that it was likely not rare nor special at that time. This "bangkung" was likely a farm or chopping tool and perhaps did not need an elaborate scabbard in the first place.

I am not sure if it would be appropriate to classify the scabbard as "moro" or "non-moro."

Here is a photo from Krieger's 1926 work. The basketry on the left is attributed to Basilan of the Sulu Archipelago.

Nonoy

Nonoy,

The fact the Krieger is specific enough to call these "bolo" cases at least makes it a strong possibility that your example's blade and scabbard were, even if not born together(and they may have been), at least likely together for a very long time.

If only he had included an example of a "bolo" with them it would really give us a more decisive answer.

[cicak_cobing]

i never knew that there was a moro version of bangkung..
it's good to learn new stuff..

[VVV]

Nice to see all the variations of the Bangkung in one place.
Perhaps the last one, without a scabbard, once was as nice as Kino's?

Michael

[Sajen]

Some very nice bankung, thank's to all for showing!

[kino]

Thanks for the kind words.
Day one in my possession, the bangkung was covered with rust and was pitted.
With a lot of help from a knife maker we got the blade to its current state.

Now here's a hybrid (wish it were mine), is it a BANGRIS or a KRIKUNG. No matter what it's called, I call it beautiful.

If the owner is a forum member, post some photos will ya!

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by kino

Thanks for the kind words.
Day one in my possession, the bangkung was covered with rust and was pitted.
With a lot of help from a knife maker we got the blade to its current state.

Now here's a hybrid (wish it were mine), is it a BANGRIS or a KRIKUNG. No matter what it's called, I call it beautiful.

If the owner is a forum member, post some photos will ya!

Kino,

I have seen this piece and it is much smaller than an average kangkung. It does not have that kind of weight. I believed it was exclusively a status piece. And, no...it is not mine.

[Gustav]

Originally Posted by kino

Now here's a hybrid (wish it were mine), is it a BANGRIS or a KRIKUNG. No matter what it's called, I call it beautiful.

A BANGRIS from Holstein's work. Twistcore

The back edge is quite long.