Interesting Spear, But From Where???

CharlesS · 26th April 2010, 07:34 PM

I picked up this spear at the Baltimore Show and am hoping I can get some help with specific identification. I am thinking the Philippines, but which ethnic group???.... and it may not be from there at all. The blade is pattern welded, and the haft is multi-toned hardwood.

Any ideas??

Sajen · 26th April 2010, 07:49 PM

I would guess Philippines or Indonesia.

Lew · 26th April 2010, 08:19 PM

Charles

The wood shaft seems to be kamagong wood aka Philippine iron wood.

Battara · 26th April 2010, 11:06 PM

I would have to go back home and look through my snot-n-junk to figure out the ethnicity. Lew is right (

) it is made of kamagong wood, also known as makassar ebony on the open market. Often it has striations, but the more prized wood has little to no striations and is only brown-black in color.

Nathaniel · 27th April 2010, 01:21 AM

Beautiful spear, Charles.

Interesting note on the wood type...I know that Kamagong is a prized weapon wood in the FMA. Reminds me of this article by James Goedkoop of Kingfisher Woodworks in which he had a interesting graph on the impact strength of different woods. I didn't see Kamagong wood aka Philippine iron wood listed.

FYI here is the article:

http://www.aikiweb.com/weapons/goedkoop1.html

And the graph I was talking about:

http://www.aikiweb.com/weapons/graphics/graph.gif

CharlesS · 27th April 2010, 01:04 PM

Interesting stuff Nathaniel...thanks!!

26th April 2010, 07:34 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Interesting Spear, But From Where??? I picked up this spear at the Baltimore Show and am hoping I can get some help with specific identification. I am thinking the Philippines, but which ethnic group???.... and it may not be from there at all. The blade is pattern welded, and the haft is multi-toned hardwood. Any ideas?? Attached Images

26th April 2010, 07:49 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	I would guess Philippines or Indonesia.

26th April 2010, 08:19 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Charles The wood shaft seems to be kamagong wood aka Philippine iron wood.

26th April 2010, 11:06 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I would have to go back home and look through my snot-n-junk to figure out the ethnicity. Lew is right ( ) it is made of kamagong wood, also known as makassar ebony on the open market. Often it has striations, but the more prized wood has little to no striations and is only brown-black in color.

27th April 2010, 01:21 AM	#5
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Beautiful spear, Charles. Interesting note on the wood type...I know that Kamagong is a prized weapon wood in the FMA. Reminds me of this article by James Goedkoop of Kingfisher Woodworks in which he had a interesting graph on the impact strength of different woods. I didn't see Kamagong wood aka Philippine iron wood listed. FYI here is the article: http://www.aikiweb.com/weapons/goedkoop1.html And the graph I was talking about: http://www.aikiweb.com/weapons/graphics/graph.gif

27th April 2010, 01:04 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Interesting stuff Nathaniel...thanks!!