2 Panabas and a Panaba-sauris for comment

[drac2k]

I purchased a Panabas in Baltimore and a kind forum member offered me 2 more that I couldn't refuse.
The top one has a blade which measures 21.5"x3", 1/4" thick at the base with a false edge the last 6 ".It has a handle which is 16.5" long.The handle is very wide;approx 1.5"x2" at the base.
The 2nd one has a blade 17.5" x 3" at it's widest, 1/4" wide at the base, with a handle 20.5" long.
The 3rd one has a blade of 18.75" x 3" at it's widest, 1/4" thick at the base with a 17" handle.
Also note, that I added the string on the large one as a temp. measure, since there were only 2 silver bands holding this massive blade in.
Thanks for looking

[David]

Nice way to start a collection.
I've always found these interesting, but don't know that much about them.
Does the top example in your pic of all three have a cutting edge on both sides?

[drac2k]

The top one has the cutting edge on the side where the dime is, as well as the last 6" on the other side.

[Battara]

How did I miss these at Baltimore?...............I mean.............Congratulations!

Great section of panabas. The top one is a rare form according to Cato...

Love the carvings on the other one.

One of them looks like it had bands that are now missing.

I had one like the top one (now stolen) and always wanted one like the middle one.

[drac2k]

Thanks.Only the bottom one came from Baltimore, but a great forum member who knows I like Moro, Philippine, and heavy chopping swords offered me the other 2.
I'm sorry your item got stolen; it is a silent fear we all have.It must be terrible, not only for the loss, but the sense of personal invasion when someone breaks into your home.I often wondered if there are criminals, who view these postings, & use it like a shopping list.

[kino]

I like the blade profile of the middle one. I think that this profile is not as common as the other two shown. I have one similar not as nice and the sundi is bent.
Congrats and thanks for sharing.

[drac2k]

Thanks

[Robert]

Great collection Drac, you have put together a great collection of these in a very short time. It has taken me years to obtain the three I currently have in my own collection and I still do not have an example of either of the top two you have been able to add to yours in just a few days.

Best,
Robert

[drac2k]

Thanks Robert.Things happen strangely;My first panabas was acquired 15 years ago, my second 2 years ago, my third about a year ago and then these 3.Just blind luck!

[Robert]

How about a photo of the other three to go with these, sort of a family portrait. By the way, six is too many, you need to send me a couple to even things out.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Robert

How about a photo of the other three to go with these, sort of a family portrait. By the way, six is too many, you need to send me a couple to even things out.

Agree, would be nice to see them all! Nice ones, congrats.

BTW, the upper one is called padsumbalin panabas.

Regards,
Detlef

[drac2k]

Thanks Robert and Detlef; I called in a favor from my photographer(my wife), and here are the other 3 and 2 others that might be considered panabas.
All are heavy choppers and the spine is at least 1/4" thick at the base.

[kino]

Those are wicked looking.
The panabas with the scabbard, photo on top, is the blade missing the curved spike?
Great collection of Panabas'.
Thanks for sharing.

[drac2k]

Possible, but I don't think so;if so it was done a long time ago and reformed.Also, the scabbard fits perfectly and it would not accommodate a spike

[Sajen]

Wow, what a great collection of panabas! Never before I've seen this type with this sort of decoration near the ferrule.

Regards,
Detlef

[drac2k]

Thank you.The first one I acquired many years ago when e-way first came into existence ; the over one I purchased from Erik's Edge(Erik is a great guy), 2 or 3 years ago.Those are the only 2 examples that I have seen in my limited experience.
I think they could qualify as panabas, but I am not sure.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by drac2k

I think they could qualify as panabas, but I am not sure.

I am also not sure but they look like this. Would be interesting what the experts have to say.

Regards,
Detlef

[Battara]

Personally I find some difficulty with these top 2 being functional panabas. They seem more ceremonial, art forms, or even later fantasy versions (?).

[drac2k]

Ceremonial, quite possibly, but fantasy items, I don't think so.I have had ceremonial and tourist panabas before and they are usually are quite thin, cut out of metal, rather than forged, and dull.These two are well balanced, a considerable about of metal was used (1/4" thick at the base),hand forged, very sharp, and as my favorite quote from TV goes............"they will cut!"In most cases, when a fantasy piece is made, you usually see only one or many;also, even though they are of a similar style the are distinctly different, so I would infer they were made by a different person.
***disclaimer; this is just my opinion, no more valid than anyone else's opinion which I have asked for and appreciate , so please do not get mad at me as I am not mad at you.

[Sajen]

I also think that both show age (patina) and well forged blades. Ceremonial maybe yes but don't think that this are fantasy swords. But like said, I am far away to be an expert.

Regards,
Detlef

[Robert]

I could be completely wrong, but the two pieces with the decorative metalwork at the junction of blade and hilt remind me of pieces I have seen that were attributed to the peoples of the Northern Luzon Cordillera. I do not believe that these would have been made strictly for the tourist market if for no other reason than that their size alone would limit their sales to most tourist. This of course is JMHO. Hopefully some of our Filipino experts will see this and offer their opinions on these two very interesting items.

Best,
Robert

[kino]

Fantasy, I believe not. Ceremonial, probable. Art form, definitely.

I have a Panabas with a similar blade profile but not as elaborate as drac2k's.
Mine is Moro and I would wager that drac2k's are as well.

[drac2k]

Now, that is a beautiful panabas !!!

[DaveS]

I had one that was exactly the same shape as an Egyptian bronze sickle sword. Never seen one that shape before, and it was smaller than the usuall panabas, but it had quite a bit of age to it also. unfortunately i sold it a couple of months back. If i see that guy again at a show i'm going to ask him if he would bring it back again so i can get some pictures. It was the strangest form of panabas that i've ever seen...........Dave

[Battara]

Back then Moros did have ceremonial weapons, functional, but ceremonial. If these fancy pieces are substantial in manufacture, then I would agree that they are probably not quickly made tourist pieces, but for ceremonys and ritual use.

[Ian]

Very nice collection with some unusual examples.

The smallest one looks like a tabas, which is the agricultural version of a panabas, that is used like an axe to cut down small trees, chop firewood, lop branches, etc.--the forging on this blade is also cruder than the others.

Ian

[drac2k]

Thank you ; I tend to agree with you.It has the look and the hard wear that a agricultural tool would have.

[ariel]

Don't you think that the two "fancy" ones have a strong resemblance to Kampilan?

[Battara]

Ian, do you think all small tapas are agricultural tools?

[Ian]

Hi Jose:

The tabas I have seen being used for agriculture have all been on the small side. Some have had quite slim blades as well. I don't know whether the agricultural implements are always smaller than a "combat" panabas, but that could be the case.

Ian