Moro Panabas, serious chopper

[Bill Marsh]

This is so well preserved that I was hesitant about getting it, but it is about 100 years old. Patterned blade. 29" long. Blade is about 3/8" thick.

A favorite all-around weapon and jungle clearer of the Moro. I would guess that the kamis could make these if someone asked.

There is a small hole in the end of the blade. John Powell recently gave a talk at the Timonium seminar that some kora have a hole like this also. A small hook was inserted in the hole, a cord tied to it and the other end of the cord tied to the handle. Then it was slung over the shoulder for carry.

A solid chopper.

 

[GA LITTLE]

That in some shape. Are you sure you did not get it at K-mart? Attention K-mart shoppers Panabas special in the housewears isle!

 

[Bill Marsh]

That in some shape. Are you sure you did not get it at K-mart? Attention K-mart shoppers Panabas special in the housewears isle!

I consider this over-cleaned for an antique, but the provenance is there. Has been around for quite a while, but not been used much. Stored in a collection.

A patterned blade panabas is a real big deal in Indonesia. Most are "village" models, some have hardened blades but very, very few have patterned blades.


I got it from this square-jawed guy at S-Mart. Name was Ash. He had just returned from somewhere and said if he was going back, he was taking a panabas and an HI Khuk!

"Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart!"

 

[not2sharp]

Very nice one. I am always amazed by the level of craftsmanship hat these smith were able to achieve using noting but the most primitive of hand tools.

n2s

 

[Azis]

I like that piece...and I just know you really really want to trade it right away!

 

[VML]

Very nice panabas. I have seen the small hole in the corner of the blade before, but not inlaid dots on the blade of a panabas. I have kampilans, mandau and a barong with dots, but that's the only panabas I've seen with them. Good find.

 

[ddean]

Nice.

It even has a funny-shaped cho


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[Daniel Koster]

very interesting piece, Bill.

 

[ferguson]

That in some shape. Are you sure you did not get it at K-mart? Attention K-mart shoppers Panabas special in the housewears isle!

That's "Attention K-Mart Choppers"


Nice one Bill. We've got similar tastes.

Steve

 

[Yvsa]

Nice one Bill. We've got similar tastes.

Steve

There's a lot of us with similar tastes. I need a huge underground secure house safe from tornadoes and thiefs in order to keep the collection I Would Like To Have, let alone the one I already have. :grumpy:

 

[BruiseLeee]

Are you sure you did not get it at K-mart?

Field hockey isn't a popular sport in the States. I doubt they'd carry these.

 

[PherrousWeal]

Its a beaut, Bill, like all your pieces.

BTW< Kris Cutlery used to sell a really good diff tempered version of this.

Trevor a buddy owns one that I am refinishing. He took it to a wicker chair, and it sheared woods, screws, and all. I call this misue of a blade, an scolded him for it. The convex edge had no chipping tho, as it is zone hardened...