WHAT DID I BUY? MORO?

David · 20th November 2008, 12:40 AM

OK, i have a notion, but spears aren't quite my thing. This is the first one i have ever bought. I just knew that i liked it and it looked complete. I will post better pics when it arrives.

Battara · 20th November 2008, 01:40 AM

Looks Moro and nice.

David · 20th November 2008, 01:49 AM

Thanks Jose. I am told that the blade is 14 inches and that the overall length is about 68 inches.

Rick · 20th November 2008, 01:53 AM

Om nom nom !!!

Clever fellow .

Bill M · 20th November 2008, 01:55 PM

Certainly Moro! Looks good to me also. Would like to see a close-up of the ferrule when you get it.

Possibly the ferrule is silver. I have been pleasantly surprised by this.

Does the spear have a foot?

David · 20th November 2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

Certainly Moro! Looks good to me also. Would like to see a close-up of the ferrule when you get it.

Possibly the ferrule is silver. I have been pleasantly surprised by this.

Does the spear have a foot?

I don't know Bill. There was a picture that was almost the full length, but the entire thing is as tall as i am and the seller cut off just a little bit of it in the photo. Hopefully i will be pleasantly surprised on that front as well.

Rick · 20th November 2008, 10:20 PM

David,
The guy's going to ship it in PVC pipe ?
The best stuff .

No crappy cardboard .

David · 29th November 2008, 07:08 PM

Here's some more pictures of this Moro spear now that it is in my possession. Some corrections. Apparently the seller included the ferrule in his blade length. The spearhead itself is exactly 10 inches (not counting the tang). The ferrule is about 4 1/4 inches. I have little doubt that this was a practical weapon though the shaft does not seem original. Seems to be some kind of dowel wood that has been stained. It's been on here for a while though as it shows signs of age. Rick you were right. I contacted the guy before shipping and suggested pvc for packing, but he assured me he had packaged it safely and pvc would be overkill. Well, sure enough it arrived with about 6 inches of wood broken off the bottom. I am not too concerned though given the quality of the shaft. Any suggestion of a type of wood to replace this shaft that wood be more "weapon grade"?
No such luck Bill, the ferrule turned out to be brass, not silver, but no worries as i was fairly sure it was brass when i bought it.

So, i've seen quite a few Moro spears, but not many that are wavy like this. Is this a rarer occurrence? Would a spear like this be mantained with a polished or darkened surface to show the lines?

Rick · 29th November 2008, 07:24 PM

David,

Bamboo ??
Wifey's got plenty of it around the yard about the proper diameter .

Palm wood (palma brava

) ?
Don't know where to get that .

There's always mahogany; or that S.American hardwood they use here for outdoor decks; I've got some of that too (also got the pvc pipe to ship it in).

Too bad about the break; any butt cap present ?

David · 29th November 2008, 07:33 PM

Nope, no butt cap. For now i will probably just cut the ragged end. There is still about 48 inches left of the shaft. Does anyone know what was traditionally used on these spears? Anyone have any examples with the original shafts attached? Anyone have any pics of what these butt caps look like?

Spunjer · 29th November 2008, 07:53 PM

rattan would be good as well, david. for its size, a 5' to 5.5' inches would be sufficient. then find an old 10ga or 12ga shotgun brass shell for buttcap. on the one i have it has a U.M.C. no. 12 mark on the shell cap

Spunjer · 29th November 2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Nope, no butt cap. For now i will probably just cut the ragged end. There is still about 48 inches left of the shaft. Does anyone know what was traditionally used on these spears? Anyone have any examples with the original shafts attached? Anyone have any pics of what these butt caps look like?

here's a picture of mine that's prolly the same size as yours (blade = 12" minus the ferrule)

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7403

towards the bottom of the first page...

Rick · 29th November 2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

then find an old 10ga or 12ga shotgun brass shell for buttcap. on the one i have it has a U.M.C. no. 12 mark on the shell cap

These can often be found (where else?) on eBay .

Spunjer · 29th November 2008, 09:13 PM

yup, ePray

Andrew · 29th November 2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

David,

Bamboo ??
Wifey's got plenty of it around the yard about the proper diameter .

Palm wood (palma brava

) ?
Don't know where to get that .

There's always mahogany; or that S.American hardwood they use here for outdoor decks; I've got some of that too (also got the pvc pipe to ship it in).

Too bad about the break; any butt cap present ?

I'm looking for two 7' sections of spear-shaft size bamboo myself, Rico.

How do my chances look if I pay shipping and promise Lynne dinner?

Rick · 29th November 2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

I'm looking for two 7' sections of spear-shaft size bamboo myself, Rico.

How do my chances look if I pay shipping and promise Lynne dinner?

Two @ seven feet it is; I'll look around the patch if it's not too rainy tomorrow Andrew .

What diameter ?

I'd like to get as close as possible to the size you need .

Also may have to go UPS or FEDEX due to length .

Andrew · 29th November 2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Two @ seven feet it is; I'll look around the patch if it's not too rainy tomorrow Andrew .

What diameter ?

I'd like to get as close as possible to the size you need .

Also may have to go UPS or FEDEX due to length .

Awesome!

I'll measure the diameter of the ferrules on Monday, as they're at the office.

Thanks!

Rick · 29th November 2008, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Awesome!

I'll measure the diameter of the ferrules on Monday, as they're at the office.

Thanks!

Of course where you live Bamboo is much more plentiful ...

You could save a 'bundle' on shipping by checking around your area .

David, you could phone these guys about rattan .

http://www.bambooandrattan.com/

This is what the hafts of my two Mandaya/Bukindon spears are made from .
They are original AFAIK .
http://www.exoticwoodgroup.com/order_black_palm.htm

R.

David · 30th November 2008, 12:40 AM

Nice responses guys and a whole lotta spears to look at....which brings me back to an unanswered question...i don't see a single wavy spear in any of these links. Are these that unusual?

Rick · 30th November 2008, 12:43 AM

Not quite like Hen's Teeth , but close .

Bill M · 30th November 2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Nice responses guys and a whole lotta spears to look at....which brings me back to an unanswered question...i don't see a single wavy spear in any of these links. Are these that unusual?

Very rare/ Just missed one in a lot that went a few bucks higher than I thought on Bonham's.

Spunjer · 30th November 2008, 12:53 PM

not too common david. here's a slightly longer one from a museum:

David · 1st December 2008, 03:54 AM

Well, i guess it's like the old saying. "I may not know art, but i know what i like!"

Andrew · 1st December 2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Of course where you live Bamboo is much more plentiful ...

You could save a 'bundle' on shipping by checking around your area .

David, you could phone these guys about rattan .

http://www.bambooandrattan.com/

This is what the hafts of my two Mandaya/Bukindon spears are made from .
They are original AFAIK .
http://www.exoticwoodgroup.com/order_black_palm.htm

R.

Much less exotic if I source it from Florida.

Hold off--I'll try to get some locally and stop being so lazy.

kai · 1st December 2008, 08:48 PM

Hello David,

You'd need green bamboo: The yellow/dry quality one usually sees in stores shatters way too easily for spears (which are not thrown).

Also rattan is probably not the best choice although also utilized for some Moro spears, except if you can get a strong quality (there are a lot of different rattan species).

I'd go for those hardwoods which don't shatter easily.

Regards,
Kai

David · 1st December 2008, 11:53 PM

Thanks for the suggestions Kai. Yes, i realize that in most cases these spears would not be thrown. That's why i agree with you and would be more inclined to go with a hardwood. I would image that when fighting with a spear the shaft would need to be tough enough to take some pretty good wacks.
Is there any particular hardwood that you would suggest? Of course hardwoods, especially exotic ones, don't seem to come cheap and i don't know if anyone sells them in 6 foot poles with a half inch diameter.

20th November 2008, 12:40 AM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,050	WHAT DID I BUY? MORO? OK, i have a notion, but spears aren't quite my thing. This is the first one i have ever bought. I just knew that i liked it and it looked complete. I will post better pics when it arrives. Attached Images

29th November 2008, 07:08 PM	#8
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,050	Here's some more pictures of this Moro spear now that it is in my possession. Some corrections. Apparently the seller included the ferrule in his blade length. The spearhead itself is exactly 10 inches (not counting the tang). The ferrule is about 4 1/4 inches. I have little doubt that this was a practical weapon though the shaft does not seem original. Seems to be some kind of dowel wood that has been stained. It's been on here for a while though as it shows signs of age. Rick you were right. I contacted the guy before shipping and suggested pvc for packing, but he assured me he had packaged it safely and pvc would be overkill. Well, sure enough it arrived with about 6 inches of wood broken off the bottom. I am not too concerned though given the quality of the shaft. Any suggestion of a type of wood to replace this shaft that wood be more "weapon grade"? No such luck Bill, the ferrule turned out to be brass, not silver, but no worries as i was fairly sure it was brass when i bought it. So, i've seen quite a few Moro spears, but not many that are wavy like this. Is this a rarer occurrence? Would a spear like this be mantained with a polished or darkened surface to show the lines? Attached Images

20th November 2008, 01:40 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,143	Looks Moro and nice.

20th November 2008, 01:49 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,050	Thanks Jose. I am told that the blade is 14 inches and that the overall length is about 68 inches.

20th November 2008, 01:53 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,268	Om nom nom !!! Clever fellow .

20th November 2008, 01:55 PM	#5
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Certainly Moro! Looks good to me also. Would like to see a close-up of the ferrule when you get it. Possibly the ferrule is silver. I have been pleasantly surprised by this. Does the spear have a foot?

20th November 2008, 10:20 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,268	David, The guy's going to ship it in PVC pipe ? The best stuff . No crappy cardboard .

29th November 2008, 07:24 PM	#9
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,268	David, Bamboo ?? Wifey's got plenty of it around the yard about the proper diameter . Palm wood (palma brava ) ? Don't know where to get that . There's always mahogany; or that S.American hardwood they use here for outdoor decks; I've got some of that too (also got the pvc pipe to ship it in). Too bad about the break; any butt cap present ?

29th November 2008, 07:33 PM	#10
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,050	Nope, no butt cap. For now i will probably just cut the ragged end. There is still about 48 inches left of the shaft. Does anyone know what was traditionally used on these spears? Anyone have any examples with the original shafts attached? Anyone have any pics of what these butt caps look like?

29th November 2008, 07:53 PM	#11
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	rattan would be good as well, david. for its size, a 5' to 5.5' inches would be sufficient. then find an old 10ga or 12ga shotgun brass shell for buttcap. on the one i have it has a U.M.C. no. 12 mark on the shell cap

29th November 2008, 09:13 PM	#14
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	yup, ePray

30th November 2008, 12:40 AM	#19
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,050	Nice responses guys and a whole lotta spears to look at....which brings me back to an unanswered question...i don't see a single wavy spear in any of these links. Are these that unusual?

30th November 2008, 12:43 AM	#20
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,268	Not quite like Hen's Teeth , but close .

30th November 2008, 12:53 PM	#22
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	not too common david. here's a slightly longer one from a museum:

1st December 2008, 03:54 AM	#23
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,050	Well, i guess it's like the old saying. "I may not know art, but i know what i like!"

1st December 2008, 08:48 PM	#25
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,236	Hello David, You'd need green bamboo: The yellow/dry quality one usually sees in stores shatters way too easily for spears (which are not thrown). Also rattan is probably not the best choice although also utilized for some Moro spears, except if you can get a strong quality (there are a lot of different rattan species). I'd go for those hardwoods which don't shatter easily. Regards, Kai

1st December 2008, 11:53 PM	#26
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,050	Thanks for the suggestions Kai. Yes, i realize that in most cases these spears would not be thrown. That's why i agree with you and would be more inclined to go with a hardwood. I would image that when fighting with a spear the shaft would need to be tough enough to take some pretty good wacks. Is there any particular hardwood that you would suggest? Of course hardwoods, especially exotic ones, don't seem to come cheap and i don't know if anyone sells them in 6 foot poles with a half inch diameter.