My first MANDAU

Valjhun · 3rd June 2006, 12:12 PM

I do not know absolutely nothing about it. Should I clean the hilt and how?Rather fine specimen I guess. missing scabbard

Fine blade.

Any comments are wellcome.

RhysMichael · 3rd June 2006, 01:58 PM

I like the looks of this one but I also know nothing about them. Several times I thought about getting one and did not because I did not know how to tell an older one from a new one and did not want to make some of the same mistakes I made when I started getting dha ( but the mistakes look good on the grandsons wall and he likes them ). So thanks for posting this and I will keep an eye on this thread with interest

Dajak · 3rd June 2006, 03:04 PM

Hi the name of the mandau is Parang Ilang and I would not clean the hilt .

VANDOO · 3rd June 2006, 03:52 PM

I AGREE WITH DAJAK AND DON'T CLEAN THE HANDLE AS THAT SUBSTANCE (WHATEVER IT MAY BE) IS ORIGINAL TO THE PIECE AND PUT THERE BY THE MAKER OR PREVIOUS OWNER. THE SWORD HAS SOME AGE AND USE AND WAS NOT MADE FOR THE TOURIST TRADE AND IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE. TOO BAD THERE IS NOT A SCABBARD BUT AT LEAST YOU GOT THE SIDE KNIFE. CONGRADULATIONS ON A GOOD START BUT YOU HAD BETTER HAVE DEEP POCKETS IF YOU PLAN ON COLLECTING THESE

GOOD LUCK

ariel · 3rd June 2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhysMichael

I like the looks of this one but I also know nothing about them. Several times I thought about getting one and did not because I did not know how to tell an older one from a new one and did not want to make some of the same mistakes I made when I started getting dha ( but the mistakes look good on the grandsons wall and he likes them ). So thanks for posting this and I will keep an eye on this thread with interest

Misery loves company: my two sons have their wall decorated with my mistakes, too.
Another point: suddenly, e-bay is overflown with Mandaus. Most of them have crudely and freshly painted scabbards, pefectly intact wood, a lot of hair and superficially rusted blades. No problem: fake. But there are many that look old and worn. Some of them are also fakes. The ddistinction between real ones and good fakes bust be very difficuly even for the specialists. I just swore them off: I know too litle about them and do not want to start decorating walls in my son friends' apartments

I guess the rest of the world is catching up with China and produces a lot of touristy junk

Battara · 4th June 2006, 08:22 PM

I also agree about not cleaning the hilt - that is the work of original patina and is needed to indicate age. However, I would replace the missing hair in the front nose of the hilt. Nice piece.

Valjhun · 4th June 2006, 08:27 PM

Many thanks to all of you!

Battara, there are several holes indicating that there were hair all around the hilt. Any ideas how to glue that hair?

Rick · 4th June 2006, 08:31 PM

Weren't these tufts originally held in by small wooden plugs ?
Or is that practice limited to the hairy kampilan .

Battara · 4th June 2006, 08:32 PM

1. could use pitch
2. could use epoxy
3. could use epoxy and a small wooden plug in the middle of the hair

I have used #2 with great success and a lot of hair.

VANDOO · 5th June 2006, 02:17 AM

PITCH CAN MOSTLY BE REMOVED BY HEATING OR SOLVENTS, WATER BASED ELMERS GLUE CAN BE REMOVED COMPLETELY BY SOAKING IN WATER, EPOXY IS GOOD BUT IS UNFORGIVING AND DIFFICULT TO REMOVE.

SO YOU NEED TO CONSIDER HOW PERMANENT YOU WANT THINGS TO BE BECAUSE YOU MAY WANT TO CHANGE SOMETHING LATER. UNDOOING CAN BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING THAN DOOING

Dajak · 5th June 2006, 10:49 AM

Hi the best thing to do do it with Damar hars and oil that is the original way the Dajaks did.

Valjhun · 5th June 2006, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi the best thing to do do it with Damar hars and oil that is the original way the Dajaks did.

What is a Damar hars?

Henk · 5th June 2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

1. could use pitch
2. could use epoxy
3. could use epoxy and a small wooden plug in the middle of the hair

I have used #2 with great success and a lot of hair.

Battara, on the hilt or on your head??

Mark · 5th June 2006, 05:58 PM

That looks like a nice example. From what I have heard, it is very rare to find the by-knife, as they are considered more important to the owners due to their being used to clean & prepare the taken heads (rather than just take them).

I have to admit that there is something very creepy to me about mandaus. It can't be just the head-hunting thing. Maybe it is the decoration of the carving.

Dajak · 5th June 2006, 08:42 PM

The by knife they use for carving and split rattan

Damar hars can be get at an store for painting supply for oilpainting

Valjhun · 6th June 2006, 12:47 PM

Yes, verry creepy indeed. I was always wondering ir the hilt is made from, ehm, human bone?

VANDOO · 6th June 2006, 03:47 PM

THE TWO MOST COMMON MATERIALS USED TO CARVE DAYAK SWORD HANDLES ARE WOOD AND DEER ANTLER. I HAVE HEARD THAT HUMAN BONE WAS SOMETIMES USED BUT HAVE NOT SEEN AN EXAMPLE THAT COULD BE PROVED, OTHER BONES FROM LARGE ANIMALS COULD HAVE BEEN USED AS WELL. I HAVE NOT SEEN A HANDLE CARVED OUT OF WATER BUFFALOW HORN WHICH IS SURPRIZING AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE BY TRADE IF NOT FOUND LOCALLY IN BORNEO. HORN WAS USED IN QUITE A FEW COUNTRYS IN THE REGION BUT PERHAPS THE DAYAKS FOUND IT UNDESIRABLE FOR SOME REASON.

OTHER BONES AND HORN WHICH MIGHT HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THAT AREA OF THE WORLD WITH BELIEVED MAGICAL POWER WOULD HAVE BEEN TIGER, ELEPHANT, RHINO,SEA MAMMALS,BEAR, CROCODILE AND POSSIBLY LARGE APES.
SOME ANIMALS WERE CONSIDERED SACRED, TABOO, BAD LUCK OR EVIL BY DIFFERENT TRIBES SO WERE NEVER USED OR HUNTED AND AVIODED ENTIRELY.

Henk · 6th June 2006, 06:30 PM

The only thing I can add at Vandoo's comment is that the hair on mandaus is human either. The hair is, mostly colored or not, from goats.

Dajak · 9th June 2006, 05:08 PM

I have one handle that is from human bone very rare but see more than one with human bone

It has also witchcraft signs on the blade I never see that before

Henk · 10th June 2006, 09:08 AM

Dajak,

Can you tell us how you can see that the bone is human? And show us some pictures of this mandau and especially the signs on it. I bet, I'm not the only one who is curious to such a piece.

Dajak · 10th June 2006, 09:56 AM

It can be see at the structure off the bone and asking an chirurg and let him take a good look at it
I will post the mandau handle in an new thread I first have to ask if I can use the other picture that is not from me if I can post it

3rd June 2006, 12:12 PM	#1
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	My first MANDAU I do not know absolutely nothing about it. Should I clean the hilt and how?Rather fine specimen I guess. missing scabbard Fine blade. Any comments are wellcome. Attached Images

3rd June 2006, 01:58 PM	#2
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	I like the looks of this one but I also know nothing about them. Several times I thought about getting one and did not because I did not know how to tell an older one from a new one and did not want to make some of the same mistakes I made when I started getting dha ( but the mistakes look good on the grandsons wall and he likes them ). So thanks for posting this and I will keep an eye on this thread with interest

3rd June 2006, 03:04 PM	#3
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi the name of the mandau is Parang Ilang and I would not clean the hilt .

3rd June 2006, 03:52 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I AGREE WITH DAJAK AND DON'T CLEAN THE HANDLE AS THAT SUBSTANCE (WHATEVER IT MAY BE) IS ORIGINAL TO THE PIECE AND PUT THERE BY THE MAKER OR PREVIOUS OWNER. THE SWORD HAS SOME AGE AND USE AND WAS NOT MADE FOR THE TOURIST TRADE AND IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE. TOO BAD THERE IS NOT A SCABBARD BUT AT LEAST YOU GOT THE SIDE KNIFE. CONGRADULATIONS ON A GOOD START BUT YOU HAD BETTER HAVE DEEP POCKETS IF YOU PLAN ON COLLECTING THESE GOOD LUCK

4th June 2006, 08:22 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,189	I also agree about not cleaning the hilt - that is the work of original patina and is needed to indicate age. However, I would replace the missing hair in the front nose of the hilt. Nice piece.

4th June 2006, 08:27 PM	#7
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Many thanks to all of you! Battara, there are several holes indicating that there were hair all around the hilt. Any ideas how to glue that hair?

4th June 2006, 08:31 PM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,286	Weren't these tufts originally held in by small wooden plugs ? Or is that practice limited to the hairy kampilan .

4th June 2006, 08:32 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,189	1. could use pitch 2. could use epoxy 3. could use epoxy and a small wooden plug in the middle of the hair I have used #2 with great success and a lot of hair.

5th June 2006, 02:17 AM	#10
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	PITCH CAN MOSTLY BE REMOVED BY HEATING OR SOLVENTS, WATER BASED ELMERS GLUE CAN BE REMOVED COMPLETELY BY SOAKING IN WATER, EPOXY IS GOOD BUT IS UNFORGIVING AND DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. SO YOU NEED TO CONSIDER HOW PERMANENT YOU WANT THINGS TO BE BECAUSE YOU MAY WANT TO CHANGE SOMETHING LATER. UNDOOING CAN BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING THAN DOOING

5th June 2006, 10:49 AM	#11
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi the best thing to do do it with Damar hars and oil that is the original way the Dajaks did.

5th June 2006, 05:58 PM	#14
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	That looks like a nice example. From what I have heard, it is very rare to find the by-knife, as they are considered more important to the owners due to their being used to clean & prepare the taken heads (rather than just take them). I have to admit that there is something very creepy to me about mandaus. It can't be just the head-hunting thing. Maybe it is the decoration of the carving.

5th June 2006, 08:42 PM	#15
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	The by knife they use for carving and split rattan Damar hars can be get at an store for painting supply for oilpainting

6th June 2006, 12:47 PM	#16
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Yes, verry creepy indeed. I was always wondering ir the hilt is made from, ehm, human bone?

6th June 2006, 03:47 PM	#17
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE TWO MOST COMMON MATERIALS USED TO CARVE DAYAK SWORD HANDLES ARE WOOD AND DEER ANTLER. I HAVE HEARD THAT HUMAN BONE WAS SOMETIMES USED BUT HAVE NOT SEEN AN EXAMPLE THAT COULD BE PROVED, OTHER BONES FROM LARGE ANIMALS COULD HAVE BEEN USED AS WELL. I HAVE NOT SEEN A HANDLE CARVED OUT OF WATER BUFFALOW HORN WHICH IS SURPRIZING AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE BY TRADE IF NOT FOUND LOCALLY IN BORNEO. HORN WAS USED IN QUITE A FEW COUNTRYS IN THE REGION BUT PERHAPS THE DAYAKS FOUND IT UNDESIRABLE FOR SOME REASON. OTHER BONES AND HORN WHICH MIGHT HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THAT AREA OF THE WORLD WITH BELIEVED MAGICAL POWER WOULD HAVE BEEN TIGER, ELEPHANT, RHINO,SEA MAMMALS,BEAR, CROCODILE AND POSSIBLY LARGE APES. SOME ANIMALS WERE CONSIDERED SACRED, TABOO, BAD LUCK OR EVIL BY DIFFERENT TRIBES SO WERE NEVER USED OR HUNTED AND AVIODED ENTIRELY.

6th June 2006, 06:30 PM	#18
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	The only thing I can add at Vandoo's comment is that the hair on mandaus is human either. The hair is, mostly colored or not, from goats.

9th June 2006, 05:08 PM	#19
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	I have one handle that is from human bone very rare but see more than one with human bone It has also witchcraft signs on the blade I never see that before

10th June 2006, 09:08 AM	#20
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Dajak, Can you tell us how you can see that the bone is human? And show us some pictures of this mandau and especially the signs on it. I bet, I'm not the only one who is curious to such a piece.

10th June 2006, 09:56 AM	#21
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	It can be see at the structure off the bone and asking an chirurg and let him take a good look at it I will post the mandau handle in an new thread I first have to ask if I can use the other picture that is not from me if I can post it