Hi everyone...
I have done a few wooden handles for knives and parang blades in the past (some terribly horrific looking), so I decided to give it another go.
Was in Sarawak recently and manage to land myself a Iban styled Candong. Forged by a 3rd generation bladesmith. I manage to witness parts of the forging and I can say for sure this time around it DID come from a vehicle leafd spring!
Here is a picture of the blade:
I am using local guava wood. The only medium hard wood I can find around to be honest.
First, I used an electrical drill to make a hole into the piece of wood cut. Slowly, I widen the hole with the same tool so that it fits the entire tang of the parang.
Though the edge of the parang was no where near sharp, I decided it was much safer to wrap it up so that I can do the shaping works safely. Somehow the bladesmith insisted that I sharpen the blade aftr I have made the handle.
Like many, I too am worried that this narrow tang parang blade would come flying off when in use. So, I measured and made two holes to keep the blade securely set with the wooden handle.
I decided to use copper pipe to reinforce the tip of the wooden handle.
Lastly, mixed the epoxy and squeeze it into the hole of the wooden handle. After that I inserted the tang in followed by the metal pins. This is then left to set for 12 hours.
More pictures to come!
I have done a few wooden handles for knives and parang blades in the past (some terribly horrific looking), so I decided to give it another go.
Was in Sarawak recently and manage to land myself a Iban styled Candong. Forged by a 3rd generation bladesmith. I manage to witness parts of the forging and I can say for sure this time around it DID come from a vehicle leafd spring!
Here is a picture of the blade:
I am using local guava wood. The only medium hard wood I can find around to be honest.
First, I used an electrical drill to make a hole into the piece of wood cut. Slowly, I widen the hole with the same tool so that it fits the entire tang of the parang.
Though the edge of the parang was no where near sharp, I decided it was much safer to wrap it up so that I can do the shaping works safely. Somehow the bladesmith insisted that I sharpen the blade aftr I have made the handle.
Like many, I too am worried that this narrow tang parang blade would come flying off when in use. So, I measured and made two holes to keep the blade securely set with the wooden handle.
I decided to use copper pipe to reinforce the tip of the wooden handle.
Lastly, mixed the epoxy and squeeze it into the hole of the wooden handle. After that I inserted the tang in followed by the metal pins. This is then left to set for 12 hours.
More pictures to come!
Last edited:
