- Joined
- Jul 20, 2018
- Messages
- 49
Hey guys! I'd like to share with you one of my cultural builds reflecting the mixed motifs found in the Sulu archipelago here in the Philippines. Sulu has been used as a trading post for hundreds of years, and with each culture that does trade there, the diversity of design in their motifs gets more interesting. If you're someone interested in ethnic designs, only in the design motifs of Sulu would you see Islamic geometric tessellation mixed with Javenese and Hindu Leafwork!
As a sculptor and a bit of a design nerd, I present to you one of my cultural builds that show this strange mix of cultures in my medium! A slender "Barung" style blade, with sculpted brass fittings mounted on the blade, guard, and sheath. The wood is a resin stabilized "Balete", Tagalog for "Strangler Fig". Here in the Philippines we have a whole mythology around the "Balete" tree; it's said that all the "Aswang" (monsters) and "engkanto" (spirits) come out of the hollow tendrils. I'd love to know, what do you guys think?
Blade Specifications:
Blade Material: 1095
Blade Finish: Acid Stonewash
Guard & Fittings: Brass
Handle & Sheath: Stabilized "Balete" Wood
Blade Length: 6.5 inches
OAL: 11.3 inches
A little cut test, the blade is sharp!
If you'd like to get a similar piece, my books are open so hit me up! The price for a piece like this is 847USD, shipped!
Check out more of my work at social media! I'm on
FB: Balete Blades - Sean Alonzo
IG: @balete_blades
also subscribe to my website to get more knife related updates on my builds!
https://baleteblades.com
Thanks for checking this out guys!
As a sculptor and a bit of a design nerd, I present to you one of my cultural builds that show this strange mix of cultures in my medium! A slender "Barung" style blade, with sculpted brass fittings mounted on the blade, guard, and sheath. The wood is a resin stabilized "Balete", Tagalog for "Strangler Fig". Here in the Philippines we have a whole mythology around the "Balete" tree; it's said that all the "Aswang" (monsters) and "engkanto" (spirits) come out of the hollow tendrils. I'd love to know, what do you guys think?
Blade Specifications:
Blade Material: 1095
Blade Finish: Acid Stonewash
Guard & Fittings: Brass
Handle & Sheath: Stabilized "Balete" Wood
Blade Length: 6.5 inches
OAL: 11.3 inches
A little cut test, the blade is sharp!
If you'd like to get a similar piece, my books are open so hit me up! The price for a piece like this is 847USD, shipped!
Check out more of my work at social media! I'm on
FB: Balete Blades - Sean Alonzo
IG: @balete_blades
also subscribe to my website to get more knife related updates on my builds!
https://baleteblades.com
Thanks for checking this out guys!
