"Mapulon"
Named after the Filipino diety known to be the god of health who manipulates the weather to grow medicinal plants to aid mankind, this balisong project took inspiration from the leaf-shaped single-edged Filipino traditional blade commonly used as a weapon by Muslim Filipinos in the Southern part of the Philippines, the "Barung".
The main goal of this project is to design and build a unique 29cm balisong that closely resembles the profile and the distinctive features that makes a traditional barung blade unique. The conceptualization and design phase of what would be the overall look of the final piece was really exciting, on the other hand, the process of constructing and bringing the illustrations into reality was extremely challenging.
The blade profile is carefully shaped as close as possible to a traditionally forged leaf-shaped barung blade and still aesthetically proportional to go along with a balisong build. file work on the blade spine and tang and the calligraphic baybayin characters for "Mapulon" was etched to adorn the blade.
The brass bolsters are sculptured to imitate the barung's long metal ferrule traditionally made of copper, silver, brass, and sometimes aluminum.
The handle scale construction is an intricate assortment of Narra, bone, and braided brass wires that aims to resemble the braided fiber rings that provide a more suitable grip on a barung's hilt.
brass tube pins with bone inserts are used to hold the scales in place and accentuate the piece at the same time.
The most challenging element of this project is to incorporate this build the elaborately carved pommel commonly seen on a traditional barung blade, where the most familiar motif is a cockatoo head,
What I have come up with is to design and construct the balisong latch to resemble the crest and the beak of a cockatoo motif like how the traditional barung blade wood pommel was carved.
This "Barung" inspired balisong project is part of the collection of designs that I am working on for more than a year which aims to honor the genius, exceptional skills, and artistry of traditional Filipino blade makers and the magnificence of traditional blades, unique to the Philippines.
and with that being said, I am proud to present, joining the "S-blade" lineup, the "Mapulon" balisong.
Blade Steel: 5160
Blade Geometry: convex
Handle construction:
Brass sheet, Brass bolsters,
composite Narra and bone scales,
Brass tube with bone inserts rivets pins.
Pivot pins: solid arc brass post screws
Tang pin: stainless rod
OAL: 29 cm
Blade Length: 13cm
Handle: 16 cm
Blade Width: (widest part) 3.5 cm
Blade Thickness: (near the handle) 6mm
#MAPULON
#barung
#badung
#barong
#balisong
#filipino