Panabas!!

Bill M · 11th February 2007, 12:29 PM

Older, but well cared for. Heavy laminated blade.

I have thought of panabas as agricultural pieces (weed cutters), or grunt pieces for mopping up battles, or execution pieces- head loppers. This piece doesn't seem to fit any of those categories.

Comments?

VVV · 11th February 2007, 12:54 PM

That's a nice one (as well as the Barong

).
Maybe this one, like the Keris Panjang, was more used as a power symbol than an actual war "tool"?

Michael

Flavio · 11th February 2007, 01:41 PM

Bill, these are really beautiful! Have you already thought to use the panabas to chop wood?

FenrisWolf · 11th February 2007, 02:00 PM

They certainly are interesting weapons! Two of them sold recently on ebay; here's a link to one of them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lg-Two-Handed-Sw...QQcmdZViewItem

One was 37" long, the second a monster 47"! Both were nice pieces, the larger one solid and serviceable, but the shorter one was a real work of art (the above link is to the short one) that was, in my opinion, museum grade. It's worth visiting the ads if for no other reason than to copy the pics for references. Not too many of the blades, unfortunately, but some nice closeups of the handles.

Bill M · 11th February 2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenrisWolf

They certainly are interesting weapons! Two of them sold recently on ebay; here's a link to one of them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lg-Two-Handed-Sw...QQcmdZViewItem

One was 37" long, the second a monster 47"! Both were nice pieces, the larger one solid and serviceable, but the shorter one was a real work of art (the above link is to the short one) that was, in my opinion, museum grade. It's worth visiting the ads if for no other reason than to copy the pics for references. Not too many of the blades, unfortunately, but some nice closeups of the handles.

Now THAT one is pretty!

FenrisWolf · 11th February 2007, 02:31 PM

Yup! I didn't even bother bidding after losing out on the first one, especilly since I'm trying to break the habit of trying to have a little of everything!

But as to yours; after looking at the pics of the ebay piece and comparing it to yours, I'd have to agree to the ceremonial/status symbol concept. The flat surfaces of the hilt may lend themselves well to ornamental carving, but I can't imagine they'd be very comfortable for regular use. Perhaps a chief's symbol signifying his power of high justice (he must be the chief, he can cut off your head!)?

Bill M · 12th February 2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenrisWolf

Yup! I didn't even bother bidding after losing out on the first one, especilly since I'm trying to break the habit of trying to have a little of everything!

But as to yours; after looking at the pics of the ebay piece and comparing it to yours, I'd have to agree to the ceremonial/status symbol concept. The flat surfaces of the hilt may lend themselves well to ornamental carving, but I can't imagine they'd be very comfortable for regular use. Perhaps a chief's symbol signifying his power of high justice (he must be the chief, he can cut off your head!)?

Thank you Brian,

For your kind words.

I wanted to say that I noticed that there is a picture of my barong in this thread. Somehow got into the same file as my panabas. Should not be here, but too late to edit the tread and remove it. If there is interest, I can make a new thread about it.

The panabas did come from the private collection of a major PI collector who have been collecting for 30 or 40 years.

Battara · 13th February 2007, 02:39 AM

Bill, some of these were used as both a beheading sword and as a symbol of the datu's power and authority, especially when dispensing justice.

FenrisWolf · 13th February 2007, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Bill, some of these were used as both a beheading sword and as a symbol of the datu's power and authority, especially when dispensing justice.

That's what I figured, especially with the more ornate versions, a symbol of the ruler's power of life and death.

It's interesting that as society's concept of 'justice' has evolved the ruler (president, governor, etc.) has retained the power to grant life, but that the power to sentence a person to death has been abrogated to a jury of the condemned person's peers, at least in theory. Whether or not maintaining a death penalty is civilized is a debate for another forum.

Question: since it was invented by a Frenchman and was used primarily by France and its colonies, is a Guillotine an "ethnic weapon"?

Rick · 13th February 2007, 03:48 AM

Speaking only for myself I would refer to it as a machine or device; much like the electric chair.

I tend to distrust the large 'Panabi'

that are only wrapped with rattan.
IMO a serious combat weapon of that size would need iron bands to guarantee its integrity in combat. The way panabas blades are mounted in a slotted handle even accounting for the use of strong natural resins and rattan wrap they would be subject to great shearing force at the blade-handle joint.
Resins suitable for a kris would be more challenged by the panabas style of mounting.

zelbone · 13th February 2007, 08:11 AM

Interesting panabas....

Just curious since I'm in Mindanao right now....from what ethnolinguistic group do you think this one belongs to?

Bill M · 13th February 2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelbone

Interesting panabas....

Just curious since I'm in Mindanao right now....from what ethnolinguistic group do you think this one belongs to?

Thank you Zel, for the question.

I must confess, I really don't know. This is one of the reasons I posted it.

First, I like to share. This is one of the great joys of collecting.

Second, I like to learn and there are some people on this Forum with a lot of knowledge and experience. I hope that some of these people will reply and we can all learn.

11th February 2007, 12:29 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Panabas!! Older, but well cared for. Heavy laminated blade. I have thought of panabas as agricultural pieces (weed cutters), or grunt pieces for mopping up battles, or execution pieces- head loppers. This piece doesn't seem to fit any of those categories. Comments? Attached Images

13th February 2007, 03:48 AM	#10
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Guillotine Speaking only for myself I would refer to it as a machine or device; much like the electric chair. I tend to distrust the large 'Panabi' that are only wrapped with rattan. IMO a serious combat weapon of that size would need iron bands to guarantee its integrity in combat. The way panabas blades are mounted in a slotted handle even accounting for the use of strong natural resins and rattan wrap they would be subject to great shearing force at the blade-handle joint. Resins suitable for a kris would be more challenged by the panabas style of mounting. Last edited by Rick; 13th February 2007 at 04:00 AM.

11th February 2007, 12:54 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	That's a nice one (as well as the Barong ). Maybe this one, like the Keris Panjang, was more used as a power symbol than an actual war "tool"? Michael

11th February 2007, 01:41 PM	#3
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Bill, these are really beautiful! Have you already thought to use the panabas to chop wood?

11th February 2007, 02:00 PM	#4
FenrisWolf Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 181	They certainly are interesting weapons! Two of them sold recently on ebay; here's a link to one of them: http://cgi.ebay.com/Lg-Two-Handed-Sw...QQcmdZViewItem One was 37" long, the second a monster 47"! Both were nice pieces, the larger one solid and serviceable, but the shorter one was a real work of art (the above link is to the short one) that was, in my opinion, museum grade. It's worth visiting the ads if for no other reason than to copy the pics for references. Not too many of the blades, unfortunately, but some nice closeups of the handles.

11th February 2007, 02:31 PM	#6
FenrisWolf Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 181	Yup! I didn't even bother bidding after losing out on the first one, especilly since I'm trying to break the habit of trying to have a little of everything! But as to yours; after looking at the pics of the ebay piece and comparing it to yours, I'd have to agree to the ceremonial/status symbol concept. The flat surfaces of the hilt may lend themselves well to ornamental carving, but I can't imagine they'd be very comfortable for regular use. Perhaps a chief's symbol signifying his power of high justice (he must be the chief, he can cut off your head!)?

13th February 2007, 02:39 AM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Bill, some of these were used as both a beheading sword and as a symbol of the datu's power and authority, especially when dispensing justice.

13th February 2007, 08:11 AM	#11
zelbone Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: VISAYAS and MINDANAO Posts: 169	Interesting panabas.... Just curious since I'm in Mindanao right now....from what ethnolinguistic group do you think this one belongs to?