Old large Gunong

h0ll0wman · 30th August 2022, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobT

h0ll0wman,

I think that, had the curves been traditionally forged, the center ridge would echo the curves of the edges as in Battara's example.

Sincerely,
RobT

Interesting. I learned something new. Thank you.

RobT · 31st August 2022, 09:01 PM

h0ll0wman,

You're welcome. I have read that the traditionally forged Philippine serpentine blades are "forged around a mandril" which accounts for the center ridge following the edge curves but "forged around a mandril" seems to me to be a bit vague and I would love to get a more detailed description of the process. What is also interesting about your gunong is the tip. Battara's example is what is normally found. The tip on yours looks more like tips found on Ilocano (often inscribed "Negrito") serpentine blades (see the thread "A Very Interesting Philippine Weapon" started by drac2k). I wonder if the folks up north are making their own take on a southern weapon form.

Sincerely,
RobT

Battara · 2nd September 2022, 12:03 AM

Rob you bring up a very good point (all puns intended

). The tip is not the standard Moro tip nor is the over all profile angle of the blade itself.

RobT · 2nd September 2022, 02:03 AM

Battara,

As you pointed out, traditional serpentine gunong have a sort of "droop" to the axis of the blade tip in relation to the hilt and none of the serpentine gunong I have ever seen show such a marked distal taper across the flat.
All the mentioned differences notwithstanding, h0ll0wman's blade appears not only to be well and carefully made but also purposely designed to be an effective weapon. We may well be seeing the beginning of a new variation on an old theme (perhaps produced by an entirely different culture than the one that created the old form). If this is the case, I feel that we will need to evaluate the new form by its own aesthetic not by the standards of the old form. There is precedence for this as, even traditionally formed gunongs have changed from their beginnings as small hideaway backups to large open carry daggers designed to be worn on a belt. We all accept this change without a problem as simply a reflection of different times with different needs.

Sincerely,
RobT

31st August 2022, 09:01 PM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 534	Interesting Tip h0ll0wman, You're welcome. I have read that the traditionally forged Philippine serpentine blades are "forged around a mandril" which accounts for the center ridge following the edge curves but "forged around a mandril" seems to me to be a bit vague and I would love to get a more detailed description of the process. What is also interesting about your gunong is the tip. Battara's example is what is normally found. The tip on yours looks more like tips found on Ilocano (often inscribed "Negrito") serpentine blades (see the thread "A Very Interesting Philippine Weapon" started by drac2k). I wonder if the folks up north are making their own take on a southern weapon form. Sincerely, RobT Last edited by RobT; 31st August 2022 at 09:02 PM. Reason: my attempt to direct to a link failed

2nd September 2022, 02:03 AM	#4
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 534	I Missed The Blade/Hilt Angle Battara, As you pointed out, traditional serpentine gunong have a sort of "droop" to the axis of the blade tip in relation to the hilt and none of the serpentine gunong I have ever seen show such a marked distal taper across the flat. All the mentioned differences notwithstanding, h0ll0wman's blade appears not only to be well and carefully made but also purposely designed to be an effective weapon. We may well be seeing the beginning of a new variation on an old theme (perhaps produced by an entirely different culture than the one that created the old form). If this is the case, I feel that we will need to evaluate the new form by its own aesthetic not by the standards of the old form. There is precedence for this as, even traditionally formed gunongs have changed from their beginnings as small hideaway backups to large open carry daggers designed to be worn on a belt. We all accept this change without a problem as simply a reflection of different times with different needs. Sincerely, RobT

2nd September 2022, 12:03 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Rob you bring up a very good point (all puns intended ). The tip is not the standard Moro tip nor is the over all profile angle of the blade itself.