Something Else For ID

Robert · 6th January 2013, 05:38 PM

One of these days I'm going to have to stop buying things that I have no idea as to what they are. This is the latest item I have picked up. It was very cheap so I really have nothing to loose if it is just tourist junk. These are the only pictures I have of it and of right now I don't even have any dimensions. Any and all help on where this is from, its possible age and what it is called would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Robert

Atlantia · 6th January 2013, 05:47 PM

Interesting piece Robert,
The hilt reminds me of a lasara.

Sajen · 6th January 2013, 05:51 PM

Hi Robert,

looks very indonesian to my eyes.

Regards,

Detlef

Atlantia · 6th January 2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Robert,

looks very indonesian to my eyes.

Regards,

Detlef

I agree with you Detlef.
It reminds me of the Nias Lasara hilts so that general area I'd say.
Possibly Malay, some parang variant?

Sajen · 6th January 2013, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

I agree with you Detlef.
It reminds me of the Nias Lasara hilts so that general area I'd say.
Possibly Malay, some parang variant?

The carving at the scabbard mouth let me think more to Batak origin.

Regards,

Detlef

Atlantia · 6th January 2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

The carving at the scabbard mouth let me think more to Batak origin.

Regards,

Detlef

Could be buddy.
That general area I'd say. Sumartra/Indonesia/Malaysia.
I was just googling parang and coming up with some fairly close matches.

Sajen · 6th January 2013, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Could be buddy.
That general area I'd say. Sumartra/Indonesia/Malaysia.
I was just googling parang and coming up with some fairly close matches.

Have a look to the carvings at the scabbard from my rawit: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14105

Very similar IMHO.

Best,

Detlef

Atlantia · 6th January 2013, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Have a look to the carvings at the scabbard from my rawit: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14105

Very similar IMHO.

Best,

Detlef

Hmm, the subtleties of the various regions are a bit beyond me mate!
I agree it looks similar.
Very nice Rawit by the way!

carlos · 6th January 2013, 08:37 PM

Congratulations, very unusual piece, I have seen another similar in a wall plaque with miniatures of edged weapons.
best regards
carlos

Henk · 6th January 2013, 09:36 PM

Looks to me as a kind of bendo. Take a look at this link.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=bendo

asomotif · 6th January 2013, 11:51 PM

I would say Borneo / Sarawak based on the scabbard carvings.

The chopper blade is imported, probably by chinese traders.

The hilt would than be an aso / dragon.

I owned something similar in the past, but sold it.
Will check for pictures if I have time.

Best regards,
Willem

Battara · 7th January 2013, 01:04 AM

Not exactly my area but I would agree with Willem - looks like Borneo carving on the scabbard to me.

Robert · 7th January 2013, 02:13 AM

My thanks to everyone who have taken time to give their thought and opinions on the place of origin of this unusual parang. I have added photos a few at a time today as I cropped and resized them from the one original auction photo in hopes of helping in its identification. What are everyones thoughts on possible age and whether or not this is a working piece or an item meant for those who travel? Is the writing on the scabbard of any significance or just scribbling from a previous owner that should be removed after it arrives? Again my thanks for all who have helped so far.

Regards,
Robert

VVV · 7th January 2013, 04:13 PM

I agree with Willem, an Iban utility blade from Sarawak.
Here is a reference picture (unfortunately a bit too dark).

Michael

Rick · 7th January 2013, 04:58 PM

Robert, if you want to remove the pencil; 'Kleenwood' is made for this; unless there is a finish on the wood .

Robert · 8th January 2013, 05:09 AM

Hello Michael and thank you very much for you help and for posting your wonderful example.
Rick, I have never heard of 'Kleenwood' before. Can you tell me where to purchase this product?
I cannot help but noticed that no one has offered their opinion on whether or not this it a tourist item or a working piece. Please do not worry about offending as I have developed some pretty thick skin over the years and would not want to represent this for something it is not. Again my thanks to everyone for all your help.

Regards,
Robert

VANDOO · 8th January 2013, 06:40 AM

I WOULD AGREE IT IS LIKELY FROM BORNEO AS THE CARVING LOOKS MORE DAYAK THAN SUMATRAN. I WOULD THINK IT IS MADE AS A TOOL FOR LOCALS BUT OF COURSE A TOURIST COULD PICK ONE UP AT THE LOCAL SHOPS OR PERHAPS TRADE OR BUY FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. THE WRITING IN PENCIL MAKES ME THINK PERHAPS IT BELONGED TO SOMEONE AND DIDN'T COME FROM THE STORE LIKE THAT. A INTERESTING ITEM.

Sajen · 9th January 2013, 07:04 PM

Have to agree, after a closer look it seems to be Sarawak carving.
Never have noticed the affinity of Batak and Sarawak carving.

6th January 2013, 05:38 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Something Else For ID One of these days I'm going to have to stop buying things that I have no idea as to what they are. This is the latest item I have picked up. It was very cheap so I really have nothing to loose if it is just tourist junk. These are the only pictures I have of it and of right now I don't even have any dimensions. Any and all help on where this is from, its possible age and what it is called would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert Coleman; 7th January 2013 at 12:22 AM.

6th January 2013, 08:37 PM	#9
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	Congratulations, very unusual piece, I have seen another similar in a wall plaque with miniatures of edged weapons. best regards carlos Attached Images

7th January 2013, 04:13 PM	#14
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	I agree with Willem, an Iban utility blade from Sarawak. Here is a reference picture (unfortunately a bit too dark). Michael Attached Images

6th January 2013, 05:47 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Interesting piece Robert, The hilt reminds me of a lasara.

6th January 2013, 05:51 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Hi Robert, looks very indonesian to my eyes. Regards, Detlef

6th January 2013, 09:36 PM	#10
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Looks to me as a kind of bendo. Take a look at this link. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=bendo

6th January 2013, 11:51 PM	#11
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	I would say Borneo / Sarawak based on the scabbard carvings. The chopper blade is imported, probably by chinese traders. The hilt would than be an aso / dragon. I owned something similar in the past, but sold it. Will check for pictures if I have time. Best regards, Willem

7th January 2013, 01:04 AM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Not exactly my area but I would agree with Willem - looks like Borneo carving on the scabbard to me.

7th January 2013, 02:13 AM	#13
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	My thanks to everyone who have taken time to give their thought and opinions on the place of origin of this unusual parang. I have added photos a few at a time today as I cropped and resized them from the one original auction photo in hopes of helping in its identification. What are everyones thoughts on possible age and whether or not this is a working piece or an item meant for those who travel? Is the writing on the scabbard of any significance or just scribbling from a previous owner that should be removed after it arrives? Again my thanks for all who have helped so far. Regards, Robert

7th January 2013, 04:58 PM	#15
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Robert, if you want to remove the pencil; 'Kleenwood' is made for this; unless there is a finish on the wood .

8th January 2013, 05:09 AM	#16
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Michael and thank you very much for you help and for posting your wonderful example. Rick, I have never heard of 'Kleenwood' before. Can you tell me where to purchase this product? I cannot help but noticed that no one has offered their opinion on whether or not this it a tourist item or a working piece. Please do not worry about offending as I have developed some pretty thick skin over the years and would not want to represent this for something it is not. Again my thanks to everyone for all your help. Regards, Robert

8th January 2013, 06:40 AM	#17
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I WOULD AGREE IT IS LIKELY FROM BORNEO AS THE CARVING LOOKS MORE DAYAK THAN SUMATRAN. I WOULD THINK IT IS MADE AS A TOOL FOR LOCALS BUT OF COURSE A TOURIST COULD PICK ONE UP AT THE LOCAL SHOPS OR PERHAPS TRADE OR BUY FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. THE WRITING IN PENCIL MAKES ME THINK PERHAPS IT BELONGED TO SOMEONE AND DIDN'T COME FROM THE STORE LIKE THAT. A INTERESTING ITEM.

9th January 2013, 07:04 PM	#18
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Have to agree, after a closer look it seems to be Sarawak carving. Never have noticed the affinity of Batak and Sarawak carving.