Palaw'an panday

JeffS · 25th June 2022, 06:14 AM

During a field visit to a Palaw'an mountain village in Southern Palawan I had the good fortune of encountering a panday at work. Great to see traditional methods still alive and well. I figured some of you would enjoy seeing photos.

xasterix · 25th June 2022, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffS

During a field visit to a Palaw'an mountain village in Southern Palawan I had the good fortune of encountering a panday at work. Great to see traditional methods still alive and well. I figured some of you would enjoy seeing photos.

Thanks for the photos! The blademakers in that area are active indeed. The traditional methods live on!

chmorshuutz · 25th June 2022, 12:24 PM

They have good craftsmen, I knew of this one that makes exquisite carvings, probably the best one I've seen among all Filipino carvings. Very intricate.

David R · 26th June 2022, 12:58 AM

Really, really good to see this. Great to see these guys at work, and pick up little things like the temporary grips/handles on the still being forged blades. Thank you.

Ren Ren · 28th June 2022, 01:10 AM

Thanks a lot for these wonderful photos!
Possibly the best photos of traditional Southeast Asian forges and bellows I have ever seen!
I know of only four types of bellows used by Asian blacksmiths. One of them, which was used in North and Northeast Asia, disappeared about 100 years ago and is known only from illustrations. The second, from Southeast Asia, is disappearing before our eyes

Perhaps in 20 years only these photos will remain.

David · 28th June 2022, 10:53 PM

Was he doing some kind of repair to this blade? I have never seen a smith forging after the handle has been placed.

JeffS · 29th June 2022, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Was he doing some kind of repair to this blade? I have never seen a smith forging after the handle has been placed.

Yes, I think so. Some of the blades in the picture below, which I believe to be his work queue, need repair. The second picture below shows what looks like a freshly completed blade with a handle blank. The last picture was taken in another part of the village, the man in the middle was carving a handle (near his foot) and you can also see a scabbard in process.

25th June 2022, 06:14 AM	#1
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 343	Palaw'an panday During a field visit to a Palaw'an mountain village in Southern Palawan I had the good fortune of encountering a panday at work. Great to see traditional methods still alive and well. I figured some of you would enjoy seeing photos. Attached Images

25th June 2022, 12:24 PM	#3
chmorshuutz Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Posts: 54	They have good craftsmen, I knew of this one that makes exquisite carvings, probably the best one I've seen among all Filipino carvings. Very intricate.

26th June 2022, 12:58 AM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	Really, really good to see this. Great to see these guys at work, and pick up little things like the temporary grips/handles on the still being forged blades. Thank you.

28th June 2022, 01:10 AM	#5
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 372	Thanks a lot for these wonderful photos! Possibly the best photos of traditional Southeast Asian forges and bellows I have ever seen! I know of only four types of bellows used by Asian blacksmiths. One of them, which was used in North and Northeast Asia, disappeared about 100 years ago and is known only from illustrations. The second, from Southeast Asia, is disappearing before our eyes Perhaps in 20 years only these photos will remain.

28th June 2022, 10:53 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	Was he doing some kind of repair to this blade? I have never seen a smith forging after the handle has been placed.