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Old 29th January 2006, 11:33 PM   #3
Rick
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Join Date: Nov 2004
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Cool

Whereas the pisau raut is intended as a tool but could be used as a weapon (most anything with an edge can) , I'm really not sure if the toa is a combination axe / weapon .

Given the weight and size of the blade and the two handed grip the toa would be a most efficient weapon and a good jungle axe too ; very much like the panabas .
My example is 34.5 inches overall with 20 inches of haft and 14.5 inches of heavy blade .

Okay , I've been through Van Zonneveld's Traditional Weapons and after reading his description of the toa I get the impression that it is a fighting sword from his text .

He also notes that most toas have a horn ferrule with metal being the rare exception ; IMO horn would not stand up very well to use on hard materials such as wood but it would be acceptable if used on softer materials like one's fellow man .
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Last edited by Rick; 30th January 2006 at 04:01 AM. Reason: Further thoughts
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