HI Barong

C

Chad W. Getz FCSH

Joined
Jul 20, 2000
Messages
112
Anyone interested in a barong by HI should let Uncle Bill know in this thread. If we can get enough interested, I'll send a model to him as a building model.

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Chad
Full Contact Stickfighting Hawaii
http://www.fullcontacthi.com
 
I gave the kamis a picture and a sketch but that was not enough for them. They never did try to make one. Every model I've sent they tried to copy and have done a pretty decent job -- even on the katanas. So, if we can come up with a model for the barong we want I'm sure they can make that one if they can make a katana.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Like I said, if we can get enough intrested, I'll send my own barong to you Uncle Bill. A picture (not close up though) is at http://www.fullcontacthi.com/chad/gallery/ctoys.htm and it is the third sword from the right, between the long wavy sword(kris) and the big bowie. The barong is 18" overall and is, IMO, not too heavy where you question the functionability(sp?) and not too light. This is guarenteed to sever an arm at the least. The scabbard above it is wooden, and traditionally made with two halves of wood stuck with light glue and bound tightly by a woven rope. In battle, they didn't have to be unsheathed, just hit and the blade would chop through the rope and break the sheath open.
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Since we are showing pictures on the web site, here are some of Stu's toys as well at http://www.fullcontacthi.com/photo/toys.htm . Enjoy!!!

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Chad
Full Contact Stickfighting Hawaii
http://www.fullcontacthi.com
 
I'd hate to lose somebody's barong so I would rather send a wood model than the real thing. The mail service to Nepal can sometimes go awry and customs can give us a hassle when we ship the real thing. Wood models are light and customs sends them thru without duty and if they are lost we can make another easily.


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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Uncle Bill, do you curently have a wood model to work with?

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Chad
Full Contact Stickfighting Hawaii
http://www.fullcontacthi.com
 
Uncle Bill and Chad,

I'll try to make a 3 D resin cast of my friend's Barong. I have one that is 21" overall length. The one I'm looking for will have an 18" blade. The handle carvings and the proper blade shape is imortant also. So, I'll make the 3 D model for the Kamis.
 
I don't mean to make you crazy with more special projects, Uncle,
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but is this project in the works? TIA.

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Cheers,
Brian

He who finishes with the most toys wins.
 
This is a project that I'd love to see completed as well because I'd be willing to buy one if the price were within my means.

However, Filipino blades (including the Barong) traditionally have a partial tang which I don't think would be as strong as a full tang (either spike or exposed - aka chiruwa). However, either of the full tangs would require modifications to the traditional handle design. I'd lean towards modifying the handle to incorporate a full tang, since I'm more of pragmatist than a "collector", and I'd favor a spike tang. The spike tang should transmit less shock to your hand and would change the balance of the weapon less than the chiruwa design. The only other modification (to the handle) I'd suggest is to incorporate the swell and rings from the khukuri handle (instead of the typical smooth, straight barong handle design), or some other method, to give additional security in thrusts. The only other thing I can think of at the moment would be the hardness of cutting edge. The edge of khukuris seem to be harder at the center and softer toward the tip and handle. I think the edge at the tip of the barong should harder since a lot of the cutting is done with the tip.

HTH.

Dave.


[This message has been edited by Dave Fulton (edited 10-13-2000).]
 
Well, I'm still trying to make that wood model of the Barong. For the handle, I'll try to cast it in some form of resin so we can get the proper handle shape. The custom Barongs that I see have the wrong handle shape. For people that don't know much about Barongs, the wrong handles are o.k., but for ones that are familiar with the traditional shape, then it doesn't cut it. The blade that I'll make will have an 18" blade with a 2.5" belly. The smaller Barongs are cool, buty the bigger ones are scarier.

As for the tang, the traditional Barong tang was attached with pitch (tree resin). The Kris/Sundang had a back up strap called asang-asang, in addition to the pitch. For the H.I. version, a tang with cross pins would be cool, then a copper or aluminum sleeve could cover the pins. The stylized cockatoo head grip wouldn't be a problem for Uncle's craftsmen. Stay tuned.

[This message has been edited by Broken Arrow (edited 10-13-2000).]
 
Hmm what your describing wouldnt really be a barong anymore (though that isnt necessarily too bad a thing). Im interested in a barong too. Still gotta buy a khukri though from HI. I guess Ill have to do that as soon as I get some money. So what kinda a barong is on the planning table so far? One that is going for traditional features, or a more functional/martial arts orientated item? Well either way Ill probably have to get one when they come out, otherwhys my sundang will be mad at me for not getting it a new friend.
 
Geez broken arrow the design you are suggesting sounds awsome. Traditional yet strong. It makes me dissapointed that KC barongs arent more traditional Id expect more from Filipinos, but it sounds like the guys over at HI could probably get something nicer made than the guys at KC.
 
FYI, I just came across a couple of nice looking barongs on Mad Dog Enterprise's site.

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Cheers,
Brian

He who finishes with the most toys wins.
 
Greetings Fredirico,

Concerning KC Barongs, I have one and till this day it hasn't let me down. Uncle Bill, Rusty, Dave K, Yvsa, and others seen it in the Reno khukuri gathering. They were inpressed. I have seen the original version that Cecil copied for his normal production Barong. Almost identical. It is just a simpler version compared to the other(larger) fancier Barongs.

I'm still trying to make the model and when I finish it, I'll send it to Uncle. I want it to look traditional, but also with some enhancments that you can't see, but its in there.

I know Uncle's craftmen can do it in Nepal with no problems. As far as Cecil's Barong is concerned, it is plain, but the newer ones will look more fancy. Stay tuned!
 
Jeez broken arrow you got me anxious to see what the guys at HI will get done. Im not as concerned with quality as I am with aesthetics. For me quality should be a given, but then I understand that there are plenty of blades out there that look good and are lo-quality. I just have the feeling that a good place should be able to make something that is of high quality and still looks good. Though I guess Ive heard the argument that quality is more important than looks, but jezz I want it all. I guess I want my cake and want to eat it too.
 
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