mystery parang

[Siberianfury]

i was given this parang by a freind a while back. its really nice to use and well designed. probably forged from a leaf spring, the handle is wraped in bamboo which acts as a perfect natural checkering. proper no nonsense tool but i have no idea of its true origins, im assuming its south east asia. it came without a sheath so i made one from a mystery hardwood, trying to stay true to the style of the knife.

does anyone have any idea where it may be from, anyone seen anything similar before?

 

[Dave Budd]

can't give any more info than you have, other than Philippines or Indonesia rings a bell (but don't quote me on it!). It's a lovely looking knife though Also, nice job on the sheath

 

[Leshy]

Beautiful work on the handle...
And the sheath.
Sorry I can't help with your question, just wanted to say it's beautiful...

 

[forrestdweller]

did you ask your friend where/how he got it?!

it's definitely an interesting-looking knife, i have never seen (pictures of) this style of handle?!
on the sheath, too-- what timber did you use?! looks a bit like black walnut?!

 

[Siberianfury]

hes the kind of guy who deals in all kinds of oddities, he has no idea where it is from

 

[satosato]

I have lived in Borneo for many years, I have not seen a parang with bamboo wrapped handle, so pretty sure it is not from Borneo.

 

[Shelley]

Looks good, but also looks like it needs a bit of a sharpen and some tlc.

 

[Drain Bamaged]

I would guess (and it is only a guess) that it originates from the Bhutan or Assam area....they do some incredible things and have some incredible uses for Bamboo from clothing both practical and ceremonial/decorative to tools again both practical and ceremonial/decorative. Certainly nice looking but best of all you say it's nice to use.

D.B.

 

[C_Claycomb]

I think its rattan wrapped rather than bamboo. Rattan does not have the nodes which stiffen bamboo and is used in places like Borneo for weaving and braiding a lot of things. Agree though it doesn't look like the parangs I have seen from Borneo, so somewhere else that grows jungle and rattan...

Interesting handle, but I would expect it to be very tiring to use for bush clearing for any length of time. Looks more suited to craft work or tasks which require less swinging action.

 

[rorymax]

As with C_Claycomb, it does look more like rattan than bamboo, a close up picture of the handle would be nice.

How is the handle to the touch, bamboo has little if any 'give', whereas rattan will indent with finger nail pressure.

 

[Leshy]

Malaysia is my guess.
Only a guess as the rattan handle is not featured...
But check links below for the sheath style...
http://www.sepuh-crafts.com/560-2/parang-golok-hand-made-semelai/

http://www.sepuh-crafts.com/2014/07/new-lot-of-parang-ready-july-2014/

On the same website you can find lots of different types...

I'm sure you could also email them and ask if your parang looks familiar or if they can help with origin design...

Hope it helps

 

[satosato]

You are right, it is rattan rather than bamboo. We learned how to use rattan as material for chairs tables baskets hats even as some kind of gaiters but never seen one on a parang. Rattan are all over south east Asia, so it could be from anywhere .

 

[C_Claycomb]

The Penan parang I have uses rattan woven around the wood to prevent the handle splitting, but only in a collar like a ferule and the sheath is all held together with it.