Gettin' a golok

[bearthedog]

What's the Barongish lookin one in the middle?

Man that one is my favorite. I would call it a Barong in my experience but David said his comes from more of a Silat weapons background. Pencak Silat is a combative art of fighting and survival that evolved in Indonesia, and Malaysia. The Klewang is one of its fighting weapons.

A traditional Filipino Barong (top). There is a similar appearance.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

Thanks for the info. I really like David's work. Maybe when I get outta the poor house I'll be able to get a few pieces. So many great makers on these forums.

 

[untamed]

Man that one is my favorite. I would call it a Barong in my experience but David said his comes from more of a Silat weapons background. Pencak Silat is a combative art of fighting and survival that evolved in Indonesia, and Malaysia. The Klewang is one of its fighting weapons.

A traditional Filipino Barong (top). There is a similar appearance.

FWIW, just an average Pinoy tool user, not a scholar in any way, just a life-long familiarity with these blades.

Just to add to Bear's info, the large, guardless, wide leaf-shaped blade and usually with a hooked "bird's beak" pommel design is usually termed as a "barong" and is more of a Southern Philippine (the province of Sulu) and Moro-influenced blade with their more preserved (Islamic traditions) and closer cultural dealings with Indonesia and Malaysia. Its not a usual design for the other regions of the Philippines.

Parts of a barong

Barong of the Tausug tribe of Southern Philippines

As for the the term "gulok" (with a "u" on the first vowel rather than an "o") for a large, utility and woodcrafting blade, we do have such a word, but it is sort of archaic already and not regularly used anymore.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

FWIW, just an average Pinoy tool user, not a scholar in any way, just a life-long familiarity with these blades.

Just to add to Bear's info, the large, guardless, wide leaf-shaped blade and usually with a hooked "bird's beak" pommel design is usually termed as a "barong" and is more of a Southern Philippine (the province of Sulu) and Moro-influenced blade with their more preserved (Islamic traditions) and closer cultural dealings with Indonesia and Malaysia. Its not a usual design for the other regions of the Philippines.

Parts of a barong

Barong of the Tausug tribe of Southern Philippines

As for the the term "gulok" (with a "u" on the first vowel rather than an "o") for a large, utility and woodcrafting blade, we do have such a word, but it is sort of archaic already and not regularly used anymore.

Very cool. Thanks for the info. I've always been fascinated with that part of the world and its blades.

 

[bearthedog]

FWIW, just an average Pinoy tool user, not a scholar in any way, just a life-long familiarity with these blades.

Just to add to Bear's info, the large, guardless, wide leaf-shaped blade and usually with a hooked "bird's beak" pommel design is usually termed as a "barong" and is more of a Southern Philippine (the province of Sulu) and Moro-influenced blade with their more preserved (Islamic traditions) and closer cultural dealings with Indonesia and Malaysia. Its not a usual design for the other regions of the Philippines.

Parts of a barong

Barong of the Tausug tribe of Southern Philippines

As for the the term "gulok" (with a "u" on the first vowel rather than an "o") for a large, utility and woodcrafting blade, we do have such a word, but it is sort of archaic already and not regularly used anymore.

Thanks for the comment. You are right, these are from Southern Philippines. I got them a few months back in Bohol. Loay outside of Tagbilaran.

I got these which are way more "Golok-looking" up north in Banuae and Baguio.

 

[untamed]

^^ Yer welcome, CRR. I too have been learning a lot of others' blade culture from this place for over a decade as well.

A last word about the barong: it is a true, dedicated weapon by the Southern peoples. Unlike the kris which can also have have ceremonial or cultural status/significance outside of fighting (i.e. - the delicately-built ones or the smaller, ornamental ones worn by nobility to signify status).


^ Always a pleasure to see you pics of my backyard Bear! A friend of mine who is a Baguio resident and of full-blooded Igorot heritage says those traditional "pinahig" blades of the Northern highlands of the Cordilleras have blunt to rounded tips (hence more forward-heavy choppers and hackers) probably owing to the fact that they were feared head hunters for generations Lately though, I've been seeing more with regular pointed tips which maybe recent influences?

The rattan-weave handle and the open-faced scabbard designs are something we share with our other SE Asian neighbors (e.g. - The Thais, Cambodians, Vietnamese)

 

[lightleak]

Hi, just to make your decision even harder let me throw in another golok. It is made by Svord in New Zealand. I am currently in NZ and can´t wait to get one for myself as a christmas present

Best regards,

l.