Sarawak Mandau Sword or Parang #1

CharlesS · 4th July 2015, 02:22 PM

The attribution of this piece to Sarawak makes it a bit easier to identify more specifically.

Based on E. Banks' Hoplology in Sarawak, I would suggest that this is more specifically, not a mandau, but a "Suai". The curvature of the blade, and indented spine towards the tip lead me to this conclusion.

Borneo swords are not my specialty, and their identification can sometimes become rather complex, but that is my best guess here.

The "Borneo boys" on this forum have come quite a long way in identifing specific blades types from various regions of Borneo in the last few years....away from the generic "mandau" for so many Borneo blades. Perhaps they can add more here.

At any rate, it is a lovely and clearly old example. Congrats!

Ian · 7th July 2015, 12:37 PM

John:

Again, I'm not one of the Borneo experts on this forum, but you have a very nice parang here! Excellent patina on the scabbard and hilt. Everything appears intact and well crafted.

I don't think the one you linked to on the Blackman site is significantly better than yours. You have a nice old example and I will be interested to hear what the Borneo experts think of it.

Ian.

johnrwatkin · 8th July 2015, 12:57 AM

Thanks Guys. I too am interested to hear what the Borneo experts think.

Dajak · 8th July 2015, 05:16 AM

Hi can you maybe post bigger picture s difficult to see this way.

Ben

4th July 2015, 02:22 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	The attribution of this piece to Sarawak makes it a bit easier to identify more specifically. Based on E. Banks' Hoplology in Sarawak, I would suggest that this is more specifically, not a mandau, but a "Suai". The curvature of the blade, and indented spine towards the tip lead me to this conclusion. Borneo swords are not my specialty, and their identification can sometimes become rather complex, but that is my best guess here. The "Borneo boys" on this forum have come quite a long way in identifing specific blades types from various regions of Borneo in the last few years....away from the generic "mandau" for so many Borneo blades. Perhaps they can add more here. At any rate, it is a lovely and clearly old example. Congrats!

7th July 2015, 12:37 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,480	John: Again, I'm not one of the Borneo experts on this forum, but you have a very nice parang here! Excellent patina on the scabbard and hilt. Everything appears intact and well crafted. I don't think the one you linked to on the Blackman site is significantly better than yours. You have a nice old example and I will be interested to hear what the Borneo experts think of it. Ian.

8th July 2015, 12:57 AM	#3
johnrwatkin Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 6	Thanks Guys. I too am interested to hear what the Borneo experts think.

8th July 2015, 05:16 AM	#4
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi can you maybe post bigger picture s difficult to see this way. Ben