HI "backwards" Ginunting

ferguson

ferguson

Joined
Feb 21, 2001
Messages
4,238
I was lucky enough to score one of Yangdu's DOTD ginuntings last week. The scabbard was broken, so I got a very good deal at $100. When it came, the scabbard was broken pretty badly, so I wasn't sure how it would turn out. Almost started over, but I'm glad I was able to salvage it, as the wood and carving is beautiful. And that's why I picked it. After maneuvering the pieces back into alignment, superglue was wicked into all the cracks and clamped. After it cured, a sanding and one coat of Tru-oil was applied. After soaking in for 10 minutes, all Tru-oil that remained on the surface was wiped off.

The beautiful octagonal handle was slightly reshaped so that the bottom of the grip was thinner than the top. This seems to be traditional for handles from the Luzon and Visayan regions of the Philippines. It fits my small hand better too. Again, one coat of Tru-Oil.

The brass guard was slightly reshaped, and given a satin finish with a Scotchbrite pad.

Philippine scabbards are often not glued together, but just wrapped with rattan. It's usually braided, but as I don't know how to do that, I applied 4 plain wraps of water soaked rattan. As it dries, it shrinks and holds the halves together well.

The blade required little work, just a convexing of the edge, and stropping.

This is a wonderful blade, and I felt lucky to get it. Can't wait to try it out against some soft targets!

The pics aren't great, as they were taken in the kitchen this evening.

Steve

HI-PI-backwards-overall.jpg

HI-PI-backwards-handle.jpg
 
Nasty, I just realized that I posted this in the Cantina. When you see this, could you please move it to the HI forum?
Thanks,
Steve
 
Very nice, Steve. Sometimes I think True Oil is a sort of universal spiritual healing. Trouble? Put True Oil on something, both you and it will feel and look better.



munk
 
WOW! you have outdone yourself ferguson...
that backwards blade is amazing :eek: love the truoil finish and rattan :thumbup:
that piece is certainly not considered a blem anymore :D
 
My pleasure Sir...and a wonderful piece it turned out to be.
 
Wow steve that is a sweet piece of work!!!

Tested it yet?? If ya havent I know a volunteer ;)
 
Great job Steve! I have never had super glue work for me worth a damn for some reason. It always makes a mess, or after the tube has been opened doesn't work at all.

So, you made the rattan loops and then looped/glued them, and then wet them? Nice work.

Norm
 
Svashtar said:
So, you made the rattan loops and then looped/glued them, and then wet them? Nice work.
Click to expand...


I think he wet them then put them on. At least that's how I have done it before.

You can also use plain Elmer's glue when they are wet to get them to stick even better.
 
Thank you for the wonderful pictures, Steve
 
Dang Steve! Great job. I'dda never thought of the rattan thing. Where did you get it? That piece of Chandan on the handle is fabulous!

I vote you test it out on Dave (Leatherface). Or is that not what he was volunteering for?
 
I received my Ginunting last week also. Overall, I am vey impressed. The blade is uniform and well polished; the handle is comfortable and well shaped, the scabbard will be better looking once I have refinished it.

I have only one small complaint, and it is small. The handle, which is horn, has several spots where the shiny finish was ... I guess it was rasped off? Not sure why, most of the handle is nicely polished and shiny as it should be, but in two or three spots it just looks like somebody got it too close to the grinder and knocked the shiny off.

Over all, nice piece. I need to take some pics and post them soon.

Thank you, Yangdu!

Andy
 
These are really nice blades. What are the specs on them for blade length, thickness, weight, etc.

Very tempting-
and nice work!
 
Thanks everyone. Bura did the hard work.

Arty,
Overall length --24 1/4''
Weight -- 27 oz
Spine thickness -- 1/4''
Brass guard
Chandan wood handle

Andy R.
The rattan comes from http://www.royalwoodltd.com/cat03-04r.htm Don't know if Dave would volunteer to be the testee. :)

Norm, Skyler's right. You soak the rattan for 20 minutes. When it dries, it shrinks. Theres an excellent thread on the ethnographic forum on how do it. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2701&highlight=scabbard+binding
I do mine a simpler way though. Perhaps not as secure.

Steve
 
Thanks for the link Steve. The rattan that I have bought before was around $2 for 10', being able to buy it in a 500' bundle for around $20 is a great deal.
 
aproy1101 said:
Dang Steve! Great job. I'dda never thought of the rattan thing. Where did you get it? That piece of Chandan on the handle is fabulous!

I vote you test it out on Dave (Leatherface). Or is that not what he was volunteering for?
Click to expand...

HEHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!

Good one Andy!!!

Ahhh NOT what I had in mind!! :)
 
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