Garab Pattern

VANDOO · 27th December 2013, 06:06 PM

SPUNGER THE EXAMPLE YOU SHOW WITH THE INLAYED BLADE IS SIMULAR TO THE ONE I SHOW IN MY POST ABOVE WITH 12 ITEMS IT IS PICTURE #7 AND HAS AN OPENWORK CARVED SCABBARD WITH SILVER BAND AS WELL AS A INLAYED BLADE. SORRY THE PICTURE IS SO BAD BUT IT IS ALL I HAVE. I AGREE IT WAS LIKELY MADE BY THE SAME ONES MAKING THE FANCY BOLOS ON LUSON VERY LIKELY DURING THE SPANISH OCCUPATION PERIOD. THE UNBRELLA HOOK GARAB WAS MADE THAT WAY AND NOT RECARVED FROM A BROKEN HANDLE. I HAVE NO IDEA OF ITS ORIGIN OTHER THAN PHILIPPINES.

VVV THE EXAMPLE YOU SHOW IS VERY FINE I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE MONSTER AT THE METAL TOE OF THE SCABBARD AND HAVING A DATE AND WRITING TO BOOT.

THIS IS TURNING INTO A GOOD REFRENCE KEEP THEM COMMING

xasterix · 29th December 2023, 01:52 PM

Sharing my garab with laminated steel.

Battara · 29th December 2023, 07:09 PM

Fantastic and perfect piece!

kai · 30th December 2023, 02:29 AM

Superb piece - congrats, Ray! Are you sure you've been as good a boy?

This certainly deserves a separate thread with close-ups and dimensions/details added. How does the backside of the blade look like?

Actually, I believe that just about all genuine old-style garab will prove to have laminated blades. The contrast between the layers of mild steel in the main body of the blade may happen to be a bit stronger or weaker though; obviously, also strongly dependant on the way of etching, too.

Regards,
Kai

Ian · 30th December 2023, 05:30 AM

Great example Xas. This thread has some really nice garab and has received a lot of views over the years. It's now listed in the Classic Threads sticky.

xasterix · 31st December 2023, 04:57 AM

Thanks very much for the compliments everyone! I've always wanted to have a 'high aesthetic' garab ever since I strayed unto the forum 5 years ago...lucky and grateful that one popped up on eBay just before Christmas

Hullo Kai, I'll upload more pics later, but for now here are the measurements:
Spine base width- 1.2cm
Blade length (with the blade on a horizontal-ish plane)- 21.7in
Hilt length (blade still on horizontal-ish)- 6.5in

xasterix · 31st December 2023, 07:44 AM

As promised, more pics.

I believe this antique was likely never used before. Perfect spine and edge alignment, no edge chips, no blade cracks, everything intact except for a scabbard foot accessory and a hairline crack at the back of the hilt (due to wood shrinkage I'm guessing).

29th December 2023, 01:52 PM	#2
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 674	Sharing my garab with laminated steel. Attached Images

27th December 2013, 06:06 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	SPUNGER THE EXAMPLE YOU SHOW WITH THE INLAYED BLADE IS SIMULAR TO THE ONE I SHOW IN MY POST ABOVE WITH 12 ITEMS IT IS PICTURE #7 AND HAS AN OPENWORK CARVED SCABBARD WITH SILVER BAND AS WELL AS A INLAYED BLADE. SORRY THE PICTURE IS SO BAD BUT IT IS ALL I HAVE. I AGREE IT WAS LIKELY MADE BY THE SAME ONES MAKING THE FANCY BOLOS ON LUSON VERY LIKELY DURING THE SPANISH OCCUPATION PERIOD. THE UNBRELLA HOOK GARAB WAS MADE THAT WAY AND NOT RECARVED FROM A BROKEN HANDLE. I HAVE NO IDEA OF ITS ORIGIN OTHER THAN PHILIPPINES. VVV THE EXAMPLE YOU SHOW IS VERY FINE I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE MONSTER AT THE METAL TOE OF THE SCABBARD AND HAVING A DATE AND WRITING TO BOOT. THIS IS TURNING INTO A GOOD REFRENCE KEEP THEM COMMING

29th December 2023, 07:09 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Fantastic and perfect piece!

30th December 2023, 02:29 AM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Superb piece - congrats, Ray! Are you sure you've been as good a boy? This certainly deserves a separate thread with close-ups and dimensions/details added. How does the backside of the blade look like? Actually, I believe that just about all genuine old-style garab will prove to have laminated blades. The contrast between the layers of mild steel in the main body of the blade may happen to be a bit stronger or weaker though; obviously, also strongly dependant on the way of etching, too. Regards, Kai

30th December 2023, 05:30 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	Great example Xas. This thread has some really nice garab and has received a lot of views over the years. It's now listed in the Classic Threads sticky.

31st December 2023, 04:57 AM	#6
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 674	Thanks very much for the compliments everyone! I've always wanted to have a 'high aesthetic' garab ever since I strayed unto the forum 5 years ago...lucky and grateful that one popped up on eBay just before Christmas Hullo Kai, I'll upload more pics later, but for now here are the measurements: Spine base width- 1.2cm Blade length (with the blade on a horizontal-ish plane)- 21.7in Hilt length (blade still on horizontal-ish)- 6.5in

31st December 2023, 07:44 AM	#7
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 674	As promised, more pics. I believe this antique was likely never used before. Perfect spine and edge alignment, no edge chips, no blade cracks, everything intact except for a scabbard foot accessory and a hairline crack at the back of the hilt (due to wood shrinkage I'm guessing). Attached Images Last edited by xasterix; 31st December 2023 at 08:27 AM.