Jim, regarding you Kampilan blade, I have seen quite a few Kampilan blade profile similar to yours, although not uncommon they’re not as prolific as the ones with the spikes.
Munsala - some say it’s a fetish cloth, some, a talisman blessed by an Imam, others say it is used to secure your hand to the hilt by tying around.
Rick, going back to you entry regarding missing staples,
They must have been an option like Gavin questioned. I also have seen where there were once staple guard on a crosspiece and was removed. No telling when it was removed.
There’s no evidence on this one having an iron staple guard. The set of holes had one had a cord loop thru them.
The two below doesn’t have holes for the staple guards
