Filipino Barong Vs Khuks...

Hibuke

Hibuke

Joined
Mar 28, 2002
Messages
317
Hey everyone,

I've heard a few misguided people claiming that the Barong has unrivalled cutting power. Obviously, they haven't gotten their hands on a proper HI Khuk. :D

What do you peoples all think?
 
As an owner of both, among them antiques as well, I would attest to the exceptional cutting power of a barong, although many people call it a chopper in my humble opinion, barong is a damned slicer, you really can shave yourself with some of antique barongs!! It is unbelievable! As a long-time collector I never resharp my blades so one should take this into consideration.

On the other hand, my HI Kuks are much stronger regarding blade sturdiness and power and accordingly choppers, that for sure. You cannot chop down a tree with a barong, that for sure, but in close-quarter combat it is a tremendous fast weapon.

Imagine you want to practise Arnis or Kali, any sinawali move or even redonda will fit to the barog shape and weight, although you might as well use a moro kris for such moves. I prefer barong for such moves. Using a Kuk requires much more power in your biceps and especially shoulder, it is however feasible.

It depends, if you want to take a chopper on a field use your Kuk, if you want to practise redonda use your barong, again just in my humble opinion.

Yesterday, I used my 30 sirupati in my right hand and 20 Ang khola in my left hand and did 10 minutes of sinawali moves. I was scared to death!!! and my shoulders were falling apart, however, I made it! HI Kuks are marvellous but barongs as well.

I hope it helps, but take my statements with a pinch of salt since they only work for me and very subjective!:)

Regards,

Manoucher
 
I agree with Manoucher. The barong is an incredible battlefield weapon, but not as all-around useful as an HI Khuk.

The barong has a point in line with the grip which makes the point of aim better than a khuk for stabbing.

It can slash also, but if you want a chopper that can take off an arm or a leg, or more, get a khuk!

b.jpg


Not my barong, but a very nice one!

Bill Marsh
 
Bill,

where can I get a barong like that. It is so beautiful! I guess I should find a second job to buy more blades!! What a beauty!

Regards,

Manoucher
 
A very interesting encounter between Spanish warriors who were veyr good at usting their cut-and-thrust swords and rapiers happend on the Filipino Islands.
Being fierce warriors, the Spanish swordmen who were even able to destroy Swiss Landknechts, who were tremendous warriors on their own right, prefered the thrust to kill the man just over there.

Moro juradores using kris and barong took the stab and still ran towards the Spaniards and beheaded them before falling dead together with their enemies! So far for the cutting ability of a barong!

Regards,

Manoucher :)
 
...where can one get a good quality barong?

Can anyone attest to the quality of kris cutlery? positive? negative?
 
It doesn't need to be old, ornate, or fancy. Just a high quality, useable blade. Any recommendations?

Thanks for the great information, MM. I am really enjoying your posts and learning a lot.

"Yesterday, I used my 30 sirupati in my right hand and 20 Ang khola in my left hand and did 10 minutes of sinawali moves. I was scared to death!!! and my shoulders were falling apart, however, I made it! HI Kuks are marvellous but barongs as well."

You must be a monster! I am no little guy but that's more khuk than I would try to handle for such moves. Glad you are on "our side". :D :p

Patrick Mc
 
Originally posted by 4 Ranges
...where can one get a good quality barong?

Can anyone attest to the quality of kris cutlery? positive? negative?
Click to expand...

Broken Arrow who used to post here with some regularity and the one who tested the first H.I.Katana, I think it was, had both a Kris Cutlery Sundang and Barong. We got to see them at the 1st khuk Khonvention in Reno.
I ran a hone over Broken Arrow's Sundang and Barong and then stropped them both to a razor's edge, didn't take much as he had them plenty damned sharp!!!!
Both of them impressed me with the correct degree of hardness and the traditional convex edges.
I've heard nothing but good about the Kris Cutlery goods and if they're good enough for Broken Arrow they're good enough for me.
I have a native Sundang that needs to be sent to Federico for a new handle and will do that one of these days, and I will get a barong from K.C. one of these days as they're about the best you can get commercially, just haven't done it yet.
 
I've heard a few misguided people claiming that the Barong has unrivalled cutting power. Obviously, they haven't gotten their hands on a proper HI Khuk.
Click to expand...

It comes down to what you are cutting. The Balrong is more of a fighting knife. The knife is set up to cut green vegetation, and flesh, and can move very fast. The khukuri is a powerful fighting knife, but its primary purpose has been to serve as a combat knife (ie provide utility). It would be a bit slower but can deliver a very powerful blow. While the Balrong would be virtually useless against hard wood, the khukuri would cut through it effectively. On the other hand, the balrong, would make a better machete than the khukuri.

Examples of the knives can be found regularly on EBAY. But, if you want a user, it would be best to steer clear of the antiques and to go with one of the new reproductions.

n2s
 
yvsa:

thanks for the detailed reply. I appreciate tremendously.

Speaking of khuks, I'm planning to get a pair of WWII khuks in horn in a week or so.
 
Originally posted by not2sharp


It comes down to what you are cutting. The Balrong is more of a fighting knife. The knife is set up to cut green vegetation, and flesh, and can move very fast. The khukuri is a powerful fighting knife, but its primary purpose has been to serve as a combat knife (ie provide utility). It would be a bit slower but can deliver a very powerful blow. While the Balrong would be virtually useless against hard wood, the khukuri would cut through it effectively. On the other hand, the balrong, would make a better machete than the khukuri.

Examples of the knives can be found regularly on EBAY. But, if you want a user, it would be best to steer clear of the antiques and to go with one of the new reproductions.

n2s
Click to expand...

Okie, I didn't know the Barong is that much lighter than a Khuk, tho after what you've said, a Barong would be similar in performance to a 20" Siru?

What about the Barongs they sell at Valiant Co.?

www.Valiantco.com

They're supposed to be traditionally made and as they're an Aussie Company, all your American Dollars stretch quite far...
 
Sounds interesting. Just too many interesting knives to learn about and end up wanting to buy.
 
Gentlemen,

I own a kris Sundang and older version of barong. They are both excellent for what you pay for. I say it as a collector of antiques, however, if you buy them remember that they do not have the blade strength of a HI Kuk. So do not use them for wood chopping. Sundang (moro kris) is a war blade and now a martial arts blade and barong can be used for bush cutting as not2sharp rightly mentioned above but at the same time as an excellent slicer.
Remember that KC has not updated íts site for a long time. You can ask for a mail catalog. Nowadays they have a different line of products. Currently they have two barongs on offer:
1) Combat barong: This looks like the older version after the model used by Tausug warriors of Sulu.
2) Shandigan barong:This is shorter but looks excellent.

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Manoucher
 
Manoucher:

I have some FMA, too, and this one's been on my mind from the very beginning. What prompted me to consider HI in the first place many years ago was a critical failure with a WW2-era barong during a carenza session (no injuries, thankfully).

The Barong is a fighter, like you said. I've followed the links to both KC and Valiant's pages, but haven't decided to buy, yet. I've heard nice things about both companies spring-steel blades, though.

S.
 
I've heard nothing but good about the Kris Cutlery goods and if they're good enough for Broken Arrow they're good enough for me.
Click to expand...

I own the Kris Katana, and their Celtic Leaf blade and a Korambit. They are all fine blades and tough!!
 
Barongs will cut :D Love barongs, but if things got to a bind I think Id grab my plain straight kris. 100+ years old, and a weapon I can definitely see doing some damage. There are many good records of the cutting power of Moro weaponry, and if you handle a good piece youll know they arent kidding. ;) Though the key is good piece :D

As for getting a good one cant really make any recommendations. I like antique and ethnographic (modern but traditional) pieces, and am not too fond of the production pieces that are out there. There are still good barongs being made today in Moroland, but theyre becoming much harder to find and unfortunately the ones that do make it here are being sold for the same prices as antiques. What would be ideal would be a HI barong :D Kris Cutlery is fine and all, but I will tell you as someone who grew up with Filipino blades, the main reason I buy and recommend HI is that theyre the only production company that I can buy from in the US that sells stuff as nice as the blades I was raised around. Even in PI smiths of the quality of the kamis are a dying breed, they still exist but you will have to do some hardcore searching for a good village panday. And even then the young ones are abondoning the trade and moving to the city. Perhaps in 10 years there will be no more traditional pandays.

Spence: Curious to know what the failure on your barong was.

Yvsa: Got a big ol piece of ebony from a family member's recent trip to PI, dont have any plans for it, but it would make a few nice handles.
 
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