Pattern-welded (twist core) Budiak

Lee · 20th November 2010, 09:48 PM

Rick - Indeed, thank you for pointing this out, I do see the similarity in the dominant central mid-rib on that spear in the photograph kindly posted by Migueldiaz, although I suspect the base may be round. (I also find it interesting to note the spears carried by the adjacent man to the right and also the second from the left have the assisting wire or cord as a backup for securing the blade to the shaft.) (I did the MEK work in the garage with the main door open and the container mouth covered with aluminum foil or a cap.)

These old pictures do show us that a number of different spear styles were in use concurrently. Looking at the spear first presented in this thread with the tang now exposed, there is considerable old brown rust patina on the tang. There was no evidence of active red rust or rusty flakes in the socket, the tarry material had done its job very well. Similarly, the other spear I presented had a good coat of old rust on its bare tang while the blade had remained reasonably bright - so indeed it was not a new spearhead in 1907. I am beginning to wonder just how old some of these spearheads are. There obviously was significant trade throughout the region and older spearheads continuing in use beside new ones.

Migueldiaz - thank you for your kind comment on the photos. Most of the credit has to go to the new Canon camera I bought this summer to replace my old once respectable 2.4 megapixel unit that now lags behind the average phone in image quality. I have been shooting these outside on overcast days. As it snowed here a few nights ago, that is not going to work much longer this year, so I will have to try to set up some indoor lighting, please wish me luck.

Gavin - thank you also for your kind comments. While the silver ferrule sleeve is most attractive, even in dim light from across the room, it is pretty obvious that it was not providing much structural support. I do not know if it made a difference that the socket went deeper than the tang, but clearly the shaft had failed just beyond the tang. The wire on Emanuel's example makes a lot more sense. Perhaps this spear's mounting was adequate and was just abused, causing the failure. I am still looking around for potential pole material; for now the silver sleeve is underlain by a seamless copper tube and a temporary dowel provides a socket for the tang. Would oak have been used for these poles or was another wood favored?

Battara · 20th November 2010, 11:15 PM

Most likely narra wood wood would have been use, perhaps the outside of the narra tree. Problem is that it is no longer exported since it is becoming endangered. I would suggest walnut (looking like the outside of the narra tree) or dark stained padauk wood. Walnut would be easier and cheaper. Or you could just stain wood in walnut stain. My question would be did it have a bottom to it or not? If so, what kind?

Gavin Nugent · 20th November 2010, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

Would oak have been used for these poles or was another wood favored?

Lee, whilst I am not versed in the correct timbers used in native surrounds, something sits in the memory banks that this was discussed some time back and Lew from memory or a thread that Lew took part in mentioned the timbers strong enough for the purpose and I think maybe where to get them from too.

Edit; There ya go Battara got in first.

Gav

migueldiaz · 26th November 2010, 01:50 AM

Lee, thank you, too.

Attached are some more pics of various Philippine swords, some of which are Moro. Thanks.

migueldiaz · 26th November 2010, 08:05 AM

Here's some more pics, from Museo Naval in Spain ...

migueldiaz · 26th November 2010, 08:12 AM

More pics from Madrid's Museo Naval ...

Battara · 28th November 2010, 02:42 AM

Looking at this again I just noticed that there are a couple of spears that are in a similar condition to Lee's - torn brass or silver sleeves.

Maurice · 28th November 2010, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

Attached are some more pics of various Philippine swords, some of which are Moro. Thanks.

The spear in the middle seem to have a similarity with the captain Chimmo budiak.
They both seem to have the same decoration band of swags carved at the wooden shaft, right below the brass socket.

Maurice

Lee · 9th July 2019, 03:31 PM

The contrast within the twist core pattern-welding of the budiak that this thread started with appears to have been enhanced by a small percentage of Nickel. X-Ray fluorescence analysis (so, surface averaged over an area of about a square centimeter) disclosed about half of one percent Nickel without other elements commonly used to enhance patterns. Perhaps, in this context, a meteoric origin might be suspected, but there was not strong technical evidence for this. The silver sleeve is of good grade, about 90 percent, with trace elements consistent with early 20th century or before.

kai · 9th July 2019, 05:24 PM

Hello Lee,

Thanks for your insights - I hope more of these data will get reported with the XRF technology becoming more and more available!

Could you make the full lists available, please? Always difficult to anticipate what may prove important later on...

The low level of nickel is to be expected and certainly does not indicate any meteorite content: Sourcing this iron from Luwu (or some other terrestrial origin) seems much more likely unless you hit any characteristic trace metal fingerprint.

Regards,
Kai

20th November 2010, 09:48 PM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	Follow-ups Rick - Indeed, thank you for pointing this out, I do see the similarity in the dominant central mid-rib on that spear in the photograph kindly posted by Migueldiaz, although I suspect the base may be round. (I also find it interesting to note the spears carried by the adjacent man to the right and also the second from the left have the assisting wire or cord as a backup for securing the blade to the shaft.) (I did the MEK work in the garage with the main door open and the container mouth covered with aluminum foil or a cap.) These old pictures do show us that a number of different spear styles were in use concurrently. Looking at the spear first presented in this thread with the tang now exposed, there is considerable old brown rust patina on the tang. There was no evidence of active red rust or rusty flakes in the socket, the tarry material had done its job very well. Similarly, the other spear I presented had a good coat of old rust on its bare tang while the blade had remained reasonably bright - so indeed it was not a new spearhead in 1907. I am beginning to wonder just how old some of these spearheads are. There obviously was significant trade throughout the region and older spearheads continuing in use beside new ones. Migueldiaz - thank you for your kind comment on the photos. Most of the credit has to go to the new Canon camera I bought this summer to replace my old once respectable 2.4 megapixel unit that now lags behind the average phone in image quality. I have been shooting these outside on overcast days. As it snowed here a few nights ago, that is not going to work much longer this year, so I will have to try to set up some indoor lighting, please wish me luck. Gavin - thank you also for your kind comments. While the silver ferrule sleeve is most attractive, even in dim light from across the room, it is pretty obvious that it was not providing much structural support. I do not know if it made a difference that the socket went deeper than the tang, but clearly the shaft had failed just beyond the tang. The wire on Emanuel's example makes a lot more sense. Perhaps this spear's mounting was adequate and was just abused, causing the failure. I am still looking around for potential pole material; for now the silver sleeve is underlain by a seamless copper tube and a temporary dowel provides a socket for the tang. Would oak have been used for these poles or was another wood favored?

26th November 2010, 01:50 AM	#4
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Lee, thank you, too. Attached are some more pics of various Philippine swords, some of which are Moro. Thanks. Attached Images

26th November 2010, 08:05 AM	#5
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Here's some more pics, from Museo Naval in Spain ... Attached Images

26th November 2010, 08:12 AM	#6
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	More pics from Madrid's Museo Naval ... Attached Images

9th July 2019, 03:31 PM	#9
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	Technical details The contrast within the twist core pattern-welding of the budiak that this thread started with appears to have been enhanced by a small percentage of Nickel. X-Ray fluorescence analysis (so, surface averaged over an area of about a square centimeter) disclosed about half of one percent Nickel without other elements commonly used to enhance patterns. Perhaps, in this context, a meteoric origin might be suspected, but there was not strong technical evidence for this. The silver sleeve is of good grade, about 90 percent, with trace elements consistent with early 20th century or before.

20th November 2010, 11:15 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Most likely narra wood wood would have been use, perhaps the outside of the narra tree. Problem is that it is no longer exported since it is becoming endangered. I would suggest walnut (looking like the outside of the narra tree) or dark stained padauk wood. Walnut would be easier and cheaper. Or you could just stain wood in walnut stain. My question would be did it have a bottom to it or not? If so, what kind?

28th November 2010, 02:42 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Looking at this again I just noticed that there are a couple of spears that are in a similar condition to Lee's - torn brass or silver sleeves.

9th July 2019, 05:24 PM	#10
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Lee, Thanks for your insights - I hope more of these data will get reported with the XRF technology becoming more and more available! Could you make the full lists available, please? Always difficult to anticipate what may prove important later on... The low level of nickel is to be expected and certainly does not indicate any meteorite content: Sourcing this iron from Luwu (or some other terrestrial origin) seems much more likely unless you hit any characteristic trace metal fingerprint. Regards, Kai