Show us your bankung

[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.

[blue lander]

Chisel edged. The skin wrapped around the throat is goat supposedly. I think the rattan is actually plastic. It doesn't feel natural.

[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.

[blue lander]

Good to know. I haven't given it any serious use yet but I'm not impressed with the fit and finish. The scale covered parts of the blade has some very deep pitting on it, some look like they might affect the structural integrity. It's also very top heavy and clumsy feeling.

[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

[Sajen]

Just bought my first bangkung, funnily in Germany. Better pictures follow soon when I have received it. 67 cm long.
Comments are welcome!