Borneo(?) Parang

russel · 3rd November 2016, 11:30 AM

Hello All,

Some time ago I was fortunate enough to secure this rather nice Parang which I am confident originates from Borneo. My assumption is based mainly on the carvings, which are very similar to those illustrated by Banks (Sea Dayak Carving). I am, of course, no expert and am happy to entertain another origin if sufficient evidence can be provided.

The only other similar example I have been able to find on the forum is this one:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...y+type+panabas

In that thread there was some discussion of these being a Moro weapon/tool, which doesn't sit well with my (albeit limited) knowledge. I would greatly appreciate forum members' thoughts.

Details:
Overall length = 63.5 cm
Blade length = 45 cm
Blade thickness = 7 mm (at ferrule)

Cheers, Russel

russel · 3rd November 2016, 11:32 AM

I should also mention the (yet again) extraordinary work Robert did in bringing this Parang back to life. It was in quite a sorry state when purchased, as usual Robert did an amazing job. Following are a couple of images prior to his efforts.

colin henshaw · 3rd November 2016, 12:16 PM

Not my area really, but I like it - great carving to the sheath.

Sajen · 3rd November 2016, 02:32 PM

Hello Russel,

what a great find! Can't help with a name and know this type of sword also only from the thread you provided.

Great work from Robert as always, how he has repaired the nicks in the edge?

Regards,
Detlef

Battara · 3rd November 2016, 05:26 PM

Not often you see the scabbards for these.

There were and are still Moros on the east and north east of Borneo. This type of ukkil could easily be Moro.

David · 3rd November 2016, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

...how he has repaired the nicks in the edge?

That baffles me a bit as well.

mariusgmioc · 3rd November 2016, 07:04 PM

I'm mechanical engineer but still I cannot fathom how were the repairs to the blade done?!

Wow!

PS: Who is Robert? Is he some kind of magician who can make steel grow back?!

carlos · 3rd November 2016, 07:23 PM

Beautiful sword !!! The engraved sheath is marvellous !!
Maybe the blade has been cut? ?
Best regards
Carlos

Robert · 3rd November 2016, 10:18 PM

The blade's edge was not ground down or the tip reprofiled. The nicks in the blade as well as the broken tip were welded back by the use of both mig and tig welding and the use of heatsink paste. As I have already promised Detlef a line drawing showing how this was accomplished if anyone else is interested I will also post the drawing here as well. Please remember this procedure it not one to be taken on by anyone who is not an accomplished welder in both methods that I have mentioned and can easily result in damaging the blade even more or its complete ruin if not done properly. Thank you all for your kind words in reference to my work.

Best,
Robert

russel · 4th November 2016, 01:14 AM

Before:

russel · 4th November 2016, 01:16 AM

After:

mariusgmioc · 4th November 2016, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

The blade's edge was not ground down or the tip reprofiled. The nicks in the blade as well as the broken tip were welded back by the use of both mig and tig welding and the use of heatsink paste. As I have already promised Detlef a line drawing showing how this was accomplished if anyone else is interested I will also post the drawing here as well. Please remember this procedure it not one to be taken on by anyone who is not an accomplished welder in both methods that I have mentioned and can easily result in damaging the blade even more or its complete ruin if not done properly. Thank you all for your kind words in reference to my work.

Best,
Robert

WOW!

I am familiar with the procedures you described but I still couldn't fathom that you can achieve this level of precision. What you did is way beyond norm in the craft and, in my oppinion goes more in the field of art.

Thank you very much for sharing with us the secrets of your "magic"!!!

mariusgmioc · 4th November 2016, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russel

After:

Congratulations for this magnificent piece and for the equally magnificent restoration work!

Thank you for sharing it with us!

Sajen · 4th November 2016, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Congratulations for this magnificent piece and for the equally magnificent restoration work!

Thank you for sharing it with us!

I second this!

Athanase · 5th November 2016, 12:28 PM

Congratulations, great job of restoration and beautiful parang.

Little question :
I've 2 cracked blades of the cutting until 2/3 of its width.
With a similar technique would it be possible to re-weld the cracks?

Sajen · 5th November 2016, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanase

Little question :
I've 2 cracked blades of the cutting until 2/3 of its width.
With a similar technique would it be possible to re-weld the cracks?

Have a look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21903

Battara · 5th November 2016, 07:23 PM

I would say yes. Russel's fine work and technique on this steel is the only way outside of reforging that would work.

A much lesser technique would be brazing, but that would truly weaken the blade in comparison to this.

Sajen · 5th November 2016, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Russel's fine work and technique on this steel is the only way outside of reforging that would work.

Hi Jose,

it's Robert's fine work and not Russel's. Just for clarification.

Best regards,
Detlef

David · 5th November 2016, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

The nicks in the blade as well as the broken tip were welded back by the use of both mig and tig welding and the use of heatsink paste

hmmmm, well, it still looks like witchcraft to me...

Rafngard · 7th November 2016, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

hmmmm, well, it still looks like witchcraft to me...

I'm with David on this one.

Amazing piece, amazing restoration, and really, just amazing all round.

Have fun,
Leif

Battara · 7th November 2016, 04:20 PM

Robert don't you have a degree from Hogwarts?

CharlesS · 7th November 2016, 04:41 PM

WOW! I have never seen a blade restored liked that! Very impressive!...not to mention a lovely piece!

asomotif · 8th November 2016, 01:31 PM

This wonderfull restoration draws the attention a bit from the original question.

is this a Moro / Sea dayak combi ?
I have never seen this before. I agree on the carvings.

I hope Maurice and Michael can give their opinion ?

Best regards,
Willem

Roland_M · 8th November 2016, 01:43 PM

Mr. Robert,

you are a magician. I saw some of your jobs on Detlefs swords and this is not exaggerated, I often have an open mouth "how could he do this, amazing, gigantic!"

Again a great restoration, you are my hero and I wish I could have only 10% of your skills.

Absolutely fantastic!

Best wishes,
Roland

3rd November 2016, 11:30 AM	#1
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Borneo(?) Parang Hello All, Some time ago I was fortunate enough to secure this rather nice Parang which I am confident originates from Borneo. My assumption is based mainly on the carvings, which are very similar to those illustrated by Banks (Sea Dayak Carving). I am, of course, no expert and am happy to entertain another origin if sufficient evidence can be provided. The only other similar example I have been able to find on the forum is this one: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...y+type+panabas In that thread there was some discussion of these being a Moro weapon/tool, which doesn't sit well with my (albeit limited) knowledge. I would greatly appreciate forum members' thoughts. Details: Overall length = 63.5 cm Blade length = 45 cm Blade thickness = 7 mm (at ferrule) Cheers, Russel Attached Images

3rd November 2016, 11:32 AM	#2
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	I should also mention the (yet again) extraordinary work Robert did in bringing this Parang back to life. It was in quite a sorry state when purchased, as usual Robert did an amazing job. Following are a couple of images prior to his efforts. Attached Images Last edited by russel; 3rd November 2016 at 12:35 PM.

4th November 2016, 01:14 AM	#10
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Close-ups Before: Attached Images

4th November 2016, 01:16 AM	#11
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Close-ups After: Attached Images

3rd November 2016, 12:16 PM	#3
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Not my area really, but I like it - great carving to the sheath.

3rd November 2016, 02:32 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,797	Hello Russel, what a great find! Can't help with a name and know this type of sword also only from the thread you provided. Great work from Robert as always, how he has repaired the nicks in the edge? Regards, Detlef

3rd November 2016, 05:26 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	Not often you see the scabbards for these. There were and are still Moros on the east and north east of Borneo. This type of ukkil could easily be Moro.

3rd November 2016, 07:04 PM	#7
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	I'm mechanical engineer but still I cannot fathom how were the repairs to the blade done?! Wow! PS: Who is Robert? Is he some kind of magician who can make steel grow back?!

3rd November 2016, 07:23 PM	#8
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 738	Beautiful sword !!! The engraved sheath is marvellous !! Maybe the blade has been cut? ? Best regards Carlos

3rd November 2016, 10:18 PM	#9
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	The blade's edge was not ground down or the tip reprofiled. The nicks in the blade as well as the broken tip were welded back by the use of both mig and tig welding and the use of heatsink paste. As I have already promised Detlef a line drawing showing how this was accomplished if anyone else is interested I will also post the drawing here as well. Please remember this procedure it not one to be taken on by anyone who is not an accomplished welder in both methods that I have mentioned and can easily result in damaging the blade even more or its complete ruin if not done properly. Thank you all for your kind words in reference to my work. Best, Robert

5th November 2016, 12:28 PM	#15
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Congratulations, great job of restoration and beautiful parang. Little question : I've 2 cracked blades of the cutting until 2/3 of its width. With a similar technique would it be possible to re-weld the cracks?

5th November 2016, 07:23 PM	#17
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	I would say yes. Russel's fine work and technique on this steel is the only way outside of reforging that would work. A much lesser technique would be brazing, but that would truly weaken the blade in comparison to this.

7th November 2016, 04:20 PM	#21
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	Robert don't you have a degree from Hogwarts?

7th November 2016, 04:41 PM	#22
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	WOW! I have never seen a blade restored liked that! Very impressive!...not to mention a lovely piece!

8th November 2016, 01:31 PM	#23
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	This wonderfull restoration draws the attention a bit from the original question. is this a Moro / Sea dayak combi ? I have never seen this before. I agree on the carvings. I hope Maurice and Michael can give their opinion ? Best regards, Willem

8th November 2016, 01:43 PM	#24
Roland_M Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 525	Mr. Robert, you are a magician. I saw some of your jobs on Detlefs swords and this is not exaggerated, I often have an open mouth "how could he do this, amazing, gigantic!" Again a great restoration, you are my hero and I wish I could have only 10% of your skills. Absolutely fantastic! Best wishes, Roland