Punal, Gunong with and unusual blade

[drac2k]

I just acquired this punal which appeared to me, in my limited experience to have a very large and unusual blade.I have encompassed larger blades, but not as substantial; it measures almost 11.75" long, 2.25"wide and 3/8" thick at the base of the medial ridge (in the middle).It is razor sharp.

[Sajen]

Very, very nice! There are others with similar length, see for example here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=gunong

Regards,
Detlef

[Rick]

And the handle looks like tridacna (sp?) shell.

That's really a beautiful example.

[drac2k]

Thank you both for the compliments ;Detlef, thanks for pointing out an earlier post on these punals.I agree that mine is very similar, yet I can not stress how heavy the blade is.
Rick, I was wondering what the material was.It didn't feel like resin, or bone or ivory; I never considered shell.Do they grind it up and reform it into the shape of a handle?

[drac2k]

Thanks Steve, they sure do look like a match .

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by drac2k

Do they grind it up and reform it into the shape of a handle?

Yes, look for example here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=tridacna

[kai]

Originally Posted by drac2k

I was wondering what the material was.It didn't feel like resin, or bone or ivory; I never considered shell.Do they grind it up and reform it into the shape of a handle?

These are giant shells - the material is more like finely layered lime stone than MOP and can be carved; it's quite brittle and usually shows some inclusions/irregularities.

If it is cold to the touch and feels more like stone than ivory, then giant clam is the best guess.

Regards,
Kai

[drac2k]

I think you and Rick are correct ; even at room temperature, if I put the handle on my face, it feels very cool.

[Ferguson]

Very nice! I have a couple that large but NICE large ones are fairly unusual. Another is at
Large gunong

Steve