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Originally Posted by Green
It's been quite a while since there are any posts on mandaus and related blades...
Here is one I obtained very recently. I was told that this is strictly not refered to as mandau but parang nyabur. And it is made by the Ibans of Serawak instead of the 'orang ulu (Kenyah/kayan) that make the typical mandaus/parang ihlang.
The blade is curved upward which is a charateristic of nyabur but I'm not sure if it is really is a nyabur. The blade is simple and flat on both sides and with no decorations apart from at the base with small brass inlays and the ' half hook' at the bottom.
The scabbard looks relatively new and in good condition. The hilt looks good to my untrained eyes and has a nice owl like creature .
Appreciate any comments with regards to what type, age etc.
Thanks in advance.
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Hi,
This is not a parang Nyabor. A Nyabor has a totally different kind of blade.
I attached a photo of a Nyabor blade from my personal collection, which is typical for a Nyabor.
It is not the upward curve which should be typical for a Nyabor, as there are more kind of different Borneo blades with upward curves. It is the combination with the "fingerguard" called "
kundieng" and the space before the "
kundieng" is thick and rounded or polygonal in section.
I agree the blade is not a mandau blade, as than it would be convex and concave, which does not seem to be the case looking at your photos.
I do agree that it is from the Sarawak tribes.
How thick is the blade at the spine at the base just after the hilt?
The sheath indeed is new, and they did a lot of effords having to look it old. The patina unfortunately is not right as one sees on the oldies, as well of the wood as the antler/bone carvings.
The hilt is also which I am sceptical about IMO. For sure the wrapping at the handle had been done later.
Best regards,
Maurice