panabas

Ian · 3rd May 2005, 05:19 PM

Eli:

I think this one was made quite recently. There still seems to be some forging scale on the blade, usually a sign of little actual use. The simple brass ferrule is not traditional on large heavy panabas (usually iron rings on the heavy duty old ones) and that brass looks new, similar to other work coming out of Mindanao via Davao City. The wooden handle may have been turned on a lathe.

All indications point to fairly recent construction. The crudely forged blade might suggest it was made as a tool. But the dimensions seem too large and the weight too heavy for a convenient, brush cutting tool. I would say this one was made to sell as a recent reproduction of a traditional panabas. There, I managed to not say the "t" word again.

ian.

3rd May 2005, 05:19 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,395	Recently made reproduction Eli: I think this one was made quite recently. There still seems to be some forging scale on the blade, usually a sign of little actual use. The simple brass ferrule is not traditional on large heavy panabas (usually iron rings on the heavy duty old ones) and that brass looks new, similar to other work coming out of Mindanao via Davao City. The wooden handle may have been turned on a lathe. All indications point to fairly recent construction. The crudely forged blade might suggest it was made as a tool. But the dimensions seem too large and the weight too heavy for a convenient, brush cutting tool. I would say this one was made to sell as a recent reproduction of a traditional panabas. There, I managed to not say the "t" word again. ian.