Parang Latok; Some questions...

[Valdemar]

Fascinated with cutting tools. I use them routinely in my work for clearing trails, butchering, etc. I make all my own. Mostly various bolo and parang types, modified in design according to my own manufacturing methods. However, though I have many years and extensive experience with those I have made, to be frank, I have little knowledge of the details of Indonesian blades up close. I do have Stone's Glossary.

So a few questions about the parang latok, as I intend to forge one.

First, are all of them universally chisel ground? Or is this variable? Has anyone ever seen a left hand chisel ground parang latok? {I am left handed and make my own parangs w/ LH chisel ground blades so I'm curious}.

Second, what variations in handle types exist? That is, what materials are used? Is there such a thing as a full tang handle used on the parang latok?

Third, in heat treating the blades, I assume that the blades are spot hardened. Is this correct? I do all my own heat treatment and have developed techniques to provide a differential hardening and spring temper of the ricasso, but I think most indo knives are hardened on the edge only. But I do not know.

Fourth; Is the blade ever concave like the mandau's commonly are, or is a convex configuration most common or always present?

Thanks and thanks also for a fascinating site.

[David]

Welcome to the forum Valdemar. These are not my focus of study, but you might want to try our search function to see what has already been discussed here on these blades. There are a number of threads on parang latok that might help your. This thread in particular shows a number of hilt variations.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=Parang+Latok