Bontoc, Kalinga, Igorot axes from the Malay Archipelago?

[JayGoliath]

http://class.csueastbay.edu/anthropologymuseum/virtmus/Philippines/Crafts/Axes.htm

I learned about Bontoc from Daniel Winkler's Sayoc axe series and the excavation on this scary-looking creation just keep going back on time.
The utilitarian adze is still being used here in Malaysia.

 

[jwaj]

I like the rounded Kalinga style axes over the boxier Bontoc ones.

Jay, are they called adzes in Malasia? Agriculture use?

 

[JayGoliath]

Jim,

We call it Beliung here. It's part axe part adze.

You can rotate the head 90 deg and it turned into an axe.
The rattan braids is strong enough it won't fly off (that is if you swing it the right way) and i heard with the springy handle you can chop all day and not feeling tired.
Having one made now.

J

 

[foxx]

Thanks for posting that link Jay, very cool.

 

[jwaj]

That Beliung looks like it would be very useful. Really cool how it rotates like that.

 

[JayGoliath]

Jim,

Check this out:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/927178-The-Iceman-s-Axe?

Foxx,

You are welcome.

 

[tiburon]

Some great info Jay! Thanks for sharing.

 

[jwaj]

Thanks Jay, those pre-historic pieces were state of the art in their time. Amazing stuff.