Panabas

[Battara]

One thing is that significantly smaller ones were used in combat, according to Cato.

The larger ones were used for beheading, yes, but think about the warning it would give - standing next to the datu in court would give the impression that he meant business so DON'T MESS WITH HIM! I would surmise that the bigger the piece, the bigger the message (as well as the size and skill to wield such a monster).

BTW - the wrap looks new to me.

[Robert]

I think Jose has nailed it on this one. It would be kind of like looking down the barrels of a 12 gauge shotgun, it is something that would definitely get and keep your attention.

Best,
Robert

[kino]

Originally Posted by Battara

BTW - the wrap looks new to me.

Neither new judging by the nails used to secure the ends of the wire nor very old. Could be original to Panabas, with the heft of the blade, I don't know if rattan could be relied on to keep blade and hilt together during use so a wire wrap or steel bands would have been used. Then again the falling weight alone could take a limb off in 3 strokes.

[CharlesS]

I wonder if this massive old blade may have been remounted at some point in its life. Some of the decorative carving seems a little fresh, especially when compared to the other example. The tang is sticking out quite a bit as well. It would seem with such a massive heavy blade you would want every inch of the tang braced in some way, especially if it were going to be done with decorative wire and bands.

I agree with Battara...this is a "look at how big mine is" panabas, designed to impress more than employ. It certainly is no jungle cleaver, at least not dressed out as it is.

Regardless, magnificent, eye-catching example!

[kino]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

I wonder if this massive old blade may have been remounted at some point in its life. Some of the decorative carving seems a little fresh, especially when compared to the other example. The tang is sticking out quite a bit as well. It would seem with such a massive heavy blade you would want every inch of the tang braced in some way

I also question the remounting as well but, there are some traces of old lime in the okir.
I think this type/shape of Panabas blades with the protrusions nearest the tang is supposed to be set this way with the tang sticking out a bit. See the other 3 examples of Panabas' with the similar blade shape.

The size is imposing, I wonder how tall the fellow was that wielded this piece.
I guessing this was probably made in the first third of the 20th century. Thoughts?

[Battara]

Perhaps when it comes to the socket, this is a style for this type of panabas.....

[Gavin Nugent]

Congrats

It is well known that there were giants of men amongst the Moro warriors....status, perhaps so, much in the same way the size of the Pershing Kampy appears to be

Gavin

[carlos]

Very beatiful panabas !! and very big !! maybe too much to a warrior, I think maybe made to status signal.
best regards
carlos

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by kino

I also question the remounting as well but, there are some traces of old lime in the okir.
I think this type/shape of Panabas blades with the protrusions nearest the tang is supposed to be set this way with the tang sticking out a bit. See the other 3 examples of Panabas' with the similar blade shape.

The size is imposing, I wonder how tall the fellow was that wielded this piece.
I guessing this was probably made in the first third of the 20th century. Thoughts?

That nice blown up pic of the pommel clearly shows the lime is old and that there is some nice patination on the carved wood.

I had seen some of the carved swirls nearer the hilt and thought thay looked fresh, but clearly I was wrong.