Author Topic: Punal? (Read 610 times)

michbob · « **on:** March 10, 2004, 03:11:56 PM »

Many moons ago, in a magazine article dealing with the Moro uprising in the Phillipines, I saw a local knife I believe they called a punal (that should have the little accent squiggly over the n). It had a straight tapered, double edged blade with a cross shaped guard and sort-of pistol grip. No, it wasn't a kris.

I can't seem to find any reference to it anywhere. Does anyone have a clue as to what I'm talking about?

Thanks,
Michbob

Joel · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2004, 12:12:25 PM »

The only "P" sounding knife I know of from the Phillipines is the Parang..which has a leaf shaped blade and a pistol grip handle. The Golok is more like what you are talking about...many have straight tapered blades, small guards and pistol grip pommels. I bought both a Parang and Kris when I was in The Phillipines back in the late 60's. Try this site, they seem to list a lot of the variations that are out there for Malay/philippine blades. http://perso.wanado.fr/taman.sari/swords/klewang/kampilan/kampilan.htm

michbob · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2004, 02:01:52 PM »

Thanks for the link, which I can't get right now. The name does seem to be an oddity, as I haven't seen it referencd anywhere else, not even in G.C. Stone's "Arms and Armor". Hmmmm.....

Thanks

Michbob

Joel · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2004, 04:12:53 PM »

I found that website by searching on Netscape(mine usually uses Google), and using the term "moro weapons". Might help you to try that way.

michbob · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2004, 01:35:54 PM »

HA! I found it! When all else fails, type the bloody word into yer search engine. :roll:

Punal is a generic term for knife, or specifically, another name for the gunong. You can see one at www.therionarms.com Though this one has a wavy blade, rather than straight.

Michbob