Iranun panabas for comment

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Rick

I see what you mean by thin Xas.
If we look at the Iranun kampilan it too had a very thin blade but it seemed to work in practice for them at least against unarmored people.

Agreed Rick, both the Iranun kampilan and panabas would deliver deep flesh wounds, probably even crippling injury if struck on certain fleshy body parts. In my tests it can possibly cleave through bone, but the weapon would surely get bent or even chipped as a result.

The nice thing about these flexible blades is that they can be bent back. I'm sure there's a limit as to how many times they can be straightened again though.

[Battara]

I'm confused though - why so thin?

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Battara

I'm confused though - why so thin?

IMHO the reasons for the thin blade are the following:

1. With the right heat treatment, thin blades can become flexible yet retain a hardened edge.

2. Thin blades are light to carry, and nimble when used.

3. Thin blades can easily be sharpened (as compared to thicker blades) to have a 20-30 degree edge angle, allowing them to become super-sharp.

4. Thin and flexible blades are much less likely to chip or crack during battle, since they aren't brittle. Even though they may bend, they can be straightened up again.

5. It's easier to integrate an upper edge to a thin blade. As an additional note- the "teeth" filework on the spine are also very sharp!

I believe the purpose of this panabas type is not to cleave (although it can, under a skilled wielder). It's a very efficient slicer due to the blade build. The same goes for kampilan with thin and flexible blades, notably the Iranun ones.

[kronckew]

It does seem to have a lot of distal taper. Cool sword!

[Ian]

Hi Xas,

That's the thinnest blade I have seen on a panabas, with most having heavy blades with not nearly as much distal taper. The notion of the brass dots representing a count of "victims" is an often repeated fantasy IMHO. I have not seen anything from a reputable source to support this idea.

[drac2k]

That is a very interesting panabas! I have seen very large panabas made out of sheet metal meant only as status symbols or tourist items, however, I don't believe that to be the case with your item since the spine is so thick at the base and it tapers so thinly at the tip.
The blade reminds me of the Sir Walter Scott story "Talisman," where Richard the Lionhearted met Saladin in a fictitious meeting; King Richard cut an iron bar in half to prove his prowess, whereas Saladin to everyone's horror cut a pillow in half.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by drac2k

That is a very interesting panabas! I have seen very large panabas made out of sheet metal meant only as status symbols or tourist items, however, I don't believe that to be the case with your item since the spine is so thick at the base and it tapers so thinly at the tip.
The blade reminds me of the Sir Walter Scott story "Talisman," where Richard the Lionhearted met Saladin in a fictitious meeting; King Richard cut an iron bar in half to prove his prowess, whereas Saladin to everyone's horror cut a pillow in half.

Thanks very much for the kind words and that story- I'll be sure to check that out!

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Xas,

That's the thinnest blade I have seen on a panabas, with most having heavy blades with not nearly as much distal taper. The notion of the brass dots representing a count of "victims" is an often repeated fantasy IMHO. I have not seen anything from a reputable source to support this idea.

This panabas type is new for me as well- I'm surprised that a panabas can actually have a flexible blade like a kampilan's. I agree that the brass or silver dots don't represent victims. It's been mentioned somewhere in the forum- and confirmed by a friend from Mindanao- that the brass or silver dots have esoteric meaning, and not a kill-count number.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by kronckew

It does seem to have a lot of distal taper. Cool sword!

Thanks! I try to be careful with it, as it's not a tanky beast like my other panabas.