19c Mak axe

kronckew · 12th April 2016, 10:31 AM

my Cambodian Mak axe for info, should arrive from USA in a week or so...

billed as mid to late 19c, hollow bamboo haft with bent base at solid root ball which is cut out to form a socket for the blade. blade measures 11.25 inches long by 2 7/8 inches at it's widest. sharp edge is on the inside of the curve. held tightly in place by a horizontally hammered in pin. length overall is 33.5 inches. haft needs a bit of tlc.

note the 'N' stamp on one side of the blade (?)

thanks in advance for any comments.

been looking for an affordable moro panabas, this reminds me a bit like one.

Ian · 12th April 2016, 03:50 PM

Nice example Wayne. More likely first half of 20th C I think, but a good solid exemplar. As you say, the shaft may need some oil and a little work.

These are still being made and used in parts of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam. They are primarily a tool, but have certainly been used as weapons in the past.

Ian.

kronckew · 27th April 2016, 12:42 PM

arrived this a.m.. as described. there is an added thin wedge inserted to tighten the blade to the root ball socket. looks like 'male' bamboo, very thick walls. looks like there was a band of wire or sheet metal about halfway down the haft, as well as the wire wrap at the base. blade spine is 5mm at the haft, distal tapered to 3mm at the tip. haft is 3 cm. dia. at the end. weighs 647 grams. sharp as heck. bit awkward for horizontal or angled cuts, overhead downward cuts are easier. will take a few more pictures later...

drac2k · 27th April 2016, 02:08 PM

Very cool;yours is the most prevalent form, but there are other variations of heads that I have seen.Most of these in the United States were brought back during the Vietnam war, but they are not that common here;maybe that will change with the continued opening of trade with various S.E. countries.
I acquired my first one many years ago and was surprised to see some used as weapons in one of the great classical (my opinion),Ong Bak movies.

kronckew · 27th April 2016, 03:49 PM

they were used by mounted troops, here is a photo of a temple wall with the two horsemen on the left using maks. from the thread here 'evolution of the mak' at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=maks

it shows some of the more weaponised versions as well. i gather they were also popular with elephant troops in the longer versions...

Sajen · 27th April 2016, 06:45 PM

Hello Wayne,

intersting piece with good using patina. I like it.

Drac2k, why you don't us your one? They are seldom to seen.

Regards,
Detlef

Rick · 27th April 2016, 08:04 PM

I was looking for the thread my example was in:

12th April 2016, 10:31 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	19c Mak axe my Cambodian Mak axe for info, should arrive from USA in a week or so... billed as mid to late 19c, hollow bamboo haft with bent base at solid root ball which is cut out to form a socket for the blade. blade measures 11.25 inches long by 2 7/8 inches at it's widest. sharp edge is on the inside of the curve. held tightly in place by a horizontally hammered in pin. length overall is 33.5 inches. haft needs a bit of tlc. note the 'N' stamp on one side of the blade (?) thanks in advance for any comments. been looking for an affordable moro panabas, this reminds me a bit like one. Attached Images

27th April 2016, 03:49 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	they were used by mounted troops, here is a photo of a temple wall with the two horsemen on the left using maks. from the thread here 'evolution of the mak' at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=maks it shows some of the more weaponised versions as well. i gather they were also popular with elephant troops in the longer versions... Attached Images

27th April 2016, 08:04 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I was looking for the thread my example was in: Attached Images

12th April 2016, 03:50 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Nice example Wayne. More likely first half of 20th C I think, but a good solid exemplar. As you say, the shaft may need some oil and a little work. These are still being made and used in parts of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam. They are primarily a tool, but have certainly been used as weapons in the past. Ian.

27th April 2016, 12:42 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	arrived this a.m.. as described. there is an added thin wedge inserted to tighten the blade to the root ball socket. looks like 'male' bamboo, very thick walls. looks like there was a band of wire or sheet metal about halfway down the haft, as well as the wire wrap at the base. blade spine is 5mm at the haft, distal tapered to 3mm at the tip. haft is 3 cm. dia. at the end. weighs 647 grams. sharp as heck. bit awkward for horizontal or angled cuts, overhead downward cuts are easier. will take a few more pictures later...

27th April 2016, 02:08 PM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	Very cool;yours is the most prevalent form, but there are other variations of heads that I have seen.Most of these in the United States were brought back during the Vietnam war, but they are not that common here;maybe that will change with the continued opening of trade with various S.E. countries. I acquired my first one many years ago and was surprised to see some used as weapons in one of the great classical (my opinion),Ong Bak movies.

27th April 2016, 06:45 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hello Wayne, intersting piece with good using patina. I like it. Drac2k, why you don't us your one? They are seldom to seen. Regards, Detlef