Visayan/Moro Dagger - thoughts?

[kai]

Hello Jose,

Congrats, this is ... ummm ... sweet...
Don't show it to your dentist though!

There is a crossguard made of lower coin silver.

The blade and scabbard, however, are Moro with the blade being laminated in subtle patterns.

I'd love to see it stained with higher contrast.

IMHO this blade is not a Moro punal/gunong - the tip is much more upswept than I have seen in any Moro punal; also the crossguard doesn't look like Moro work and the scabbard bands are not typical either. While there may be some influence/inspiration from the neighbors' weaponry, I'm inclined to believe that this is genuine Visayan craftmanship all over.

Regards,
Kai

[kino]

Jose, Congratulations!!!
I noticed that you were added to the staff.
Don't abuse your power

[Battara]

Originally Posted by kino

Jose, Congratulations!!!
I noticed that you were added to the staff.
Don't abuse your power

Thank you and yes this is a recent development.

I'll try not to let the power go to my head (hehehehehehe )......

[Battara]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Jose,

Congrats, this is ... ummm ... sweet...
Don't show it to your dentist though!



I'd love to see it stained with higher contrast.

IMHO this blade is not a Moro punal/gunong - the tip is much more upswept than I have seen in any Moro punal; also the crossguard doesn't look like Moro work and the scabbard bands are not typical either. While there may be some influence/inspiration from the neighbors' weaponry, I'm inclined to believe that this is genuine Visayan craftmanship all over.

Regards,
Kai

Kai you bring up some interesting points. I have seen a slight up swept blade on a Moro gunong before, though uncommon. You are right in that the guard is not typical Moro. The scabbard is gunong fashion, and the top band is found like this on older gunongs. I must admit that the bottom scabbard band by itself is atypical, although it is found as part of larger bands on some gunongs. Certainly Moro influence if not Moro outright.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

IMHO this blade is not a Moro punal/gunong - the tip is much more upswept than I have seen in any Moro punal.....

Hello Kai,

have a look to this one from my collection: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=gunong

Best regards,

Detlef

[Robert]

Hello Detlef, The main difference that I see between your example and Jose's is yours has an extreme drop to the blade starting at the guard before it starts its upward sweep where Jose's does not. This is a very interesting knife in more than just the blade profile as it seems to display influences from more than one area. I like it.
Jose, my congratulations on having the good luck to acquires this very interesting new addition as well as your new forum status.

Best,
Robert

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Robert

Hello Detlef, The main difference that I see between your example and Jose's is yours has an extreme drop to the blade starting at the guard before it starts its upward sweep where Jose's does not.

Robert, yes I see the different in the blade shapes as well but only want to say that it is not uncommon to find gunong shapes where the tip is upswept.

Regards,

Detlef

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Robert, yes I see the different in the blade shapes as well but only want to say that it is not uncommon to find gunong shapes where the tip is upswept.

Once again, Detlef, a good point (like the one on my head ).

Also thank you Detlef - I offer my services to the entire forum.

[Robert]

Other that the figural hilt on your dagger the blade profile reminds me more of this one than most of the gunongs that I have seen.

Best,
Robert

[Battara]

Yes Robert, this is very close to my blade, including the midian ridge.

BTW - what do you folks think about the crown with a cross in silver on the top back of the head? Don't know what to make of it.

[Spunjer]

Originally Posted by kai

IMHO this blade is not a Moro punal/gunong - the tip is much more upswept than I have seen in any Moro punal; also the crossguard doesn't look like Moro work and the scabbard bands are not typical either. While there may be some influence/inspiration from the neighbors' weaponry, I'm inclined to believe that this is genuine Visayan craftmanship all over.

Regards,
Kai

kai, there's as much variation of gunong blades as there are of krises, and no, this particular blade style is not visayan.

[Battara]

Spunger has a great point (get it? ) - variations on gunong blades.

Sajen, I forgot about your gunong example - thank you for brining that back for comparison.

Thank you Robert - I originally turned down the offer due to time constraints and too many irons in the fire. Lew took my place and now he is gone and things have since changed for me. We need the help, and so I am honored that they considered me again. This has been a great forum for me and my main forum. I thought maybe I could give a little back..........

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Battara

Spunger has a great point (get it? ) - variations on gunong blades.

Sajen, I forgot about your gunong example - thank you for brining that back for comparison.

Jose, I am with you and Spunger and think that the blade is a reused gunong blade. Also when my and your blade don't have the complete same shape you can see that the main style is similar.

Also to you my best wishes for your new status.

Best,

Detlef