how local blades look (zamboanga edition)

[zamboanga]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Personelly I am not impressed with the Katana but all those other knives are something else. Are they made for domestic aggricultural use? how long a life do they have when in use? Is it cottage industry in town or in the country? Are the hilts and scabbards made by a different hand to the blades? Tim

Hi Tim,

These are for domestic agri use. Lifespan of the blades depend on their use. The sangguts, when used frequently, are replaced after several years use. The bangkungs, which are intentionally made thicker (cracking coconuts with the back edge), can last a lifetime.

It is a cottage industry in our town with the blades having separate makers from the hilts and scabbards.

As to the bangkung theory, Cato and many others here agree that it is a rare form of moro weapon. I was given a tip that if i were to look for old bangkungs in zamboanga, i should look for it in old christian homes and not in moro homes.

In due time I might get my hands on one.