Kalahi Custom Blades (KCB) Ginunting Review
Feb 16, 2015 9:43:35 GMT
Post by Croccifixio on Feb 16, 2015 9:43:35 GMT
“The Philippine Marine Corps Force Recon Battalion (Marine Corps Recon) is the Philippine Marine Corps' elite ground forces unit for unconventional warfare and special operations. It specialises in sea, air and land operations, like its counterpart in the Naval Special Warfare Group of the Philippine Navy, ranging from reconnaissance, close combat, demolition, intelligence and underwater operations in support to the overall naval operations.
As the spearhead of the Philippine Armed Forces, Marines of the Marine Corps are "the first to fight" and elements of the Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Battalion lead the way.
What makes it different from the Naval Special Warfare Group is that it utilizes strategies and tactics mastered by the Philippine Army's 1st Scout Ranger Regiment and Special Forces units.
They also make use of mechanised operations in support of other AFP combat operations as specially inclined with the conduct of special and classified military actions.
All Force Recon Marines are usually airborne and Scout Ranger qualified and most importantly; must finish the Force Reconnaissance Course to qualify.
Like most of the AFP special operations units, the best members of Force Recon Battalion are handpicked to undergo VIP security training and assigned to the Presidential Security Group.”
Most of the field assignments of the Force Recon was in Mindanao, against the Secessionist Movement of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Southern Mindanao in the early 1970s (Tausugs). When the MNLF sued for peace, the unit was deployed against the MNLF lost command and various terrorists in the Southern Philippines.
“In the 1990s, the Force Recon Company led the assault against the main Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA) Headquarters in Sagada.”
This proved to be one of the most crippling blows to the CPP/NPA’s military power in the Philippines.
“In Sept 1992, the units maintained the same profile of deployment. It was intensely engaged against several kidnap-for-ransom gangs in Central Mindanao. One of the most celebrated accomplishments of the unit during this period was the rescue of Father BLANCO and Anthony BIEL from the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).”
The ASG (name means Bearers of the Sword) was a once-powerful splinter group of Moro Rebels well known for high-profile kidnappings. They made travel to the Southern Philippines a nightmare for any non-Filipino (heck, any Filipino even) until their weakening due to the killing of their charismatic leader, Abu Sabaya, by Force Recon Marines.
An absolutely fascinating article about them (and their eventual destruction) was published by The Atlantic in this link: www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2007/03/jihadists-in-paradise/305613/
An absolutely fascinating article about them (and their eventual destruction) was published by The Atlantic in this link: www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2007/03/jihadists-in-paradise/305613/
“In March 1999 the battalion was confronted with the war in Central Mindanao against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Again, the headquarters went into action together with its three (3) Companies where three (3) of its men earning for the Battalion their three (3) Medals of Valor.”
Why this lengthy background on the Philippine Force Recon Marines? For one, you have to admit that they are pretty bad@ss. And secondly, they are one of the few combat units around the world who are given training in actual swordsmanship, a style called Pekiti Tirsia Kali (PTK). They are also and given a sword, the Ginunting. For this reason alone, the Ginunting has become one of the most popular swords exported from the Philippines.
This also has special meaning for me because my boss has a Force Recon Marine among her bodyguards. His hearing is a bit weak due to his 20 long years of fighting in the South. His testimony regarding the training received with the sword is welcome proof for me as to the sword’s real-world application. In this clip is his trainer, Master Sgt. Manuel Prado, Jr.:
While many of the drills here look pretty flamboyant, a lot of the seemingly extraneous flicks of the sword are actually strikes towards the nearest part of the opponent’s body (usually the arm). As I’m beginning to learn in my Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) classes, small but multiple swings are used to target the limbs and head to disable the opponent.
Now what is a Ginunting? For a Filipino, it sounds quite a bit like a “Gunting,” which means ‘scissors.’
Just by looking at the sword, it’s clear that this was the influence of the design.
It’s a fighting blade with a forward instead of backward curve, which means that the cutting edge is inside the curve. This makes the Ginunting a very effective chopper, but a less effective slasher. What do I mean? Curved swords are generally better than straight ones at cutting through material simply because initially, a smaller portion of the blade hits the target, producing more power per square millimeter at the point of impact. An argument could be made that straight swords do almost as well as cutting, and what’s important for cutting is edge geometry and the available blade angle (single edged weapons can have a more acute angle) – I agree with that as well. A nuanced approach however would lead to the conclusion that normally, curved weapons like Sabres, Tulwars, and Katana excel at the slash. I define a slash as an attack that begins from the blade already being in contact with the opponent, and drawing it away from the opponent so that the blade's natural shape will slice flesh. The forward curve means that the slash is much harder to do because the blade will get in the way. The design is meant to increase the power of the chop by putting more weight into the blade (and ensuring a wider and deeper cut). You shouldn't need to slash with a Ginunting because the already does all the damage you need.
Here's a nice discussion from Matt at Schola explaining why curved swords slice very well:
Hence, forward curved weapons like the Khukuri, Yataghan, and Ginunting also have a distinct reputation as monstrous choppers.
Just by looking at the sword, it’s clear that this was the influence of the design.
It’s a fighting blade with a forward instead of backward curve, which means that the cutting edge is inside the curve. This makes the Ginunting a very effective chopper, but a less effective slasher. What do I mean? Curved swords are generally better than straight ones at cutting through material simply because initially, a smaller portion of the blade hits the target, producing more power per square millimeter at the point of impact. An argument could be made that straight swords do almost as well as cutting, and what’s important for cutting is edge geometry and the available blade angle (single edged weapons can have a more acute angle) – I agree with that as well. A nuanced approach however would lead to the conclusion that normally, curved weapons like Sabres, Tulwars, and Katana excel at the slash. I define a slash as an attack that begins from the blade already being in contact with the opponent, and drawing it away from the opponent so that the blade's natural shape will slice flesh. The forward curve means that the slash is much harder to do because the blade will get in the way. The design is meant to increase the power of the chop by putting more weight into the blade (and ensuring a wider and deeper cut). You shouldn't need to slash with a Ginunting because the already does all the damage you need.
Here's a nice discussion from Matt at Schola explaining why curved swords slice very well:
Hence, forward curved weapons like the Khukuri, Yataghan, and Ginunting also have a distinct reputation as monstrous choppers.
I have nothing more to add to this that isn’t covered in the wonderful post of ThePepperSkull: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/13689/lessons-phillippine-weaponry-ginunting
Historical overview
My resources are limited for this type of sword. There’s a good discussion on Ginuntings offsite at www.ramanon.com/topic/38446-tfw-ginunting-vs-force-recon-ginunting/.
Apparently, the historical Ginuntings were from the Bicol region, which is the southern part of Luzon (the northern island of the Philippines). These historical blades were not originally curved forward. It was the Ilonggo tribe, who were from the Visayas (the central island of the Philippines), who adopted the Ginunting and adapted it into what it is today.
Miguel Diaz, in a post on EAA (www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.php?p=146313&postcount=23) stated that a Ginunting was locally defined in the following manner:
“ginúnting: A kind of war-knife, large bolo. (cf. siántong, sandúkò, binángon, íwà).”
There are a lot of accounts of Bolo (generic Filipino term for short swords) wielding men from the Visayas attacking American and Spanish troops during the colonial occupation of the Philippines. While I won’t get into that too much, here’s a nice collection of stories about the past, a past wherein the Ginunting and its ilk was used as a principal weapon against firearms: www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9840&page=1
Full Disclosure
Kalahi Custom Blades (KCB, also known as Kombat Weapons) is a Philippine-based company that sells swords and FMA gear both locally and internationally. I first heard of KCB thanks to reading through the review section of this site. I searched for them online and found the website: www.kalahicustomblades.com/ (this was around October 2014)
It was quite some time later that I actually ordered anything from them – a kris with an engraved sheath which I would give as a Christmas gift to my father (for a later review).
Due to my satisfaction with their customer service and blade quality, I ordered two other swords. One would be a custom European longsword (again, for a later review) and the other is the subject of this review.
For complete disclosure, KCB is jointly owned by Allan and Karen Fami. Grand Master Allan Fami is an instructor in FMA, and once I met him and watched his instructional videos online, I got in touch with him in order to receive training. Since then, he has been my FMA instructor and friend.
Does this mean my review will contain bias? I can assure you that I intend to be very objective – about as objective as I can be. As a lawyer, I often face friends in the courtroom. Sometimes, I know the judge well. However, this does not diminish my professionalism and objectivity since I represent my client (and I have an ethical duty to the court). In this case, I represent a member of SBG who wants to make an honest review about a purchased product.
Moreover, I paid good money for the swords. Thus while Allan is a friend, I will not hesitate to point out any flaw I see. I will judge the business as a business, and my friendship with Allan is irrelevant to whether the products of the business are good or bad.
Moreover, I paid good money for the swords. Thus while Allan is a friend, I will not hesitate to point out any flaw I see. I will judge the business as a business, and my friendship with Allan is irrelevant to whether the products of the business are good or bad.
Hopefully that’s clear. On the off-chance that some people feel any bias, there’s another review of this onsite: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/21268/ and some discussion here: https://sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/34223/ and here: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/37288/ (offsite, it’s here: www.ramanon.com/topic/47955-the-search-for-the-perfect-ginunting-continues/)
Initial Impressions
The blade was packed in bubble wrap and a cardboard box tightly bound by packing tape. It was secure enough for me, though for international shipments, Styrofoam bits might help (although it might also increase the shipping cost).
My promise of full disclosure requires me to state that I had my first Ginunting returned. The reason for the return was a loose scabbard. It wasn’t just “a little loose” but completely fell out of the scabbard even at a slight angle. The response of KCB was lightning fast. Upon communication of the issue, the new Ginunting was in my hands within 3 days.
There is really no way to describe a Ginunting other than the feeling that it was made to remove limbs. The forward curve emphasizes the forward, blade-centric weight of the weapon. It’s as if the blade’s natural movement is a forward cut. I really like this for basic FMA strikes.
However, it’s a bit too partial to the forward strike for me. My favourite attack in FMA is the sungkiti, literally, hook (Sungkit is actually not a noun, but rather a verb; it means to reach for, or to hook. In the Bisaya dialect, it’s a noun for a pole used to reach for something. As language goes however, it’s adapted into anything used to hook, or the hooking motion itself). The sungkiti attack is actually a counter-attack – after a block (and a block in FMA, is more often than not, an actual strike to the arm), the false edge and tip of a weapon is used for the quickest possible follow-up attack (aimed at the chin, temple, or belly, depending where your blade ends up during the first “block”).
The false edge of the Ginunting is sharp and certainly meets that need. However, because of the forward weight of the blade, the sungkiti comes much slower than I would like. Perhaps the Ginunting’s real niche is found in PTK? Nevertheless, it’s an extremely popular style of weapon that I appreciate very much.
The blade has very good distal taper. Any less, and it would be too forward heavy for combat use.
The Ginunting is available in its most basic type for $120 USD at www.kalahicustomblades.com/traditional-philippine-bolos. If you have Facebook, you can get this for cheaper whenever they have a sale (www.facebook.com/kalahiblades).
I picked this up near where my wife works.
Statistics
Specs in inches:
24.625 total length
17.25 blade length
1.25 base width
2.75 guard length
4 grip length
4.375 false edge length (end to end)
3 point of balance
Weight: 667 g
COP could not be discerned due to the solidity and short length of the piece.
Components
The Blade
The blade was paper-cutting sharp out of the box. It had a primary bevel, and a small secondary bevel. Since it’s a primarily fighting blade, it ground on both sides instead of being chisel-ground.
Let me talk a bit more about the edge here. I generally don’t like secondary bevels. It chips more easily, and is often uneven. In this case, the width of the bevel is quite even all around. The angle also makes the blade extremely sharp.
Cutting paper, which is one test of sharpness, is incredibly easy. It’s like I have a pair of scissors. As such, I’m a little worried that this sword is too sharp for cutting hard plastic.
As a result, I haven’t cut with this sword yet. I’ll be practicing with it for a little while more, and will test it out on bottles next week.
I’ve already given my thoughts on how it handles so I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking here.
A caveat about the handling: what I said before is solely my opinion. PTK practitioners love the Ginunting for what it is, and I’m sure they would tell me that this is precisely how a Ginunting should handle. I agree completely. I’m just giving my observation which comes from someone who does not do PTK. For all intents and purposes, I think this Ginunting handles as accurately as PTK practitioners would want. I would simply prefer less forward weight for a Kali/Arnis/Escrima blade (as opposed to Moro blades which are expectedly chop-oriented).
As a side-note, it handles similarly to my TFW Gayang, which has a forward-curved and wide blade, and is an extremely strong chopper. Looks are deceiving for this blade – it will hit very hard.
One other thing: both Ginuntings I received appear to have a slight temper line (a subtle hamon). I plan to etch this blade later on to find out if it’s differentially tempered.
That said, this blade is a very fine example of excellent forging. The steel is beautifully ground, and sings through dry handling like no other. It has very nice tachikaze, or whistling sound. Thus I’m confident that cutting and learning edge alignment with this is very easy.
10 points for function, 9 for aesthetics (a reduction due to the noticeable secondary bevel as it could have been hidden well, given the remaining thickness of the primary bevel), and no need for scoring on historical accuracy (this is actually a modern design so it’s accurate for what it is).
The Handle
I love the handle. At this price point, one would expect the handle to be very simple or made of cheaper wood.
It’s simple, but has a few extras that make me like it more and more each day. The carved base before the nut not only looks great up close, but also aids the grip, preventing looseness while swinging. The slight grooves give you excellent edge-alignment. The dark Kamagong (Ironwood) is a perfect wood for the sword.
The grip is very nice indeed. 4 inches of grooved wood plus nearly an inch of bolster gives you a snug fit with big or small hands. The wood is heavy and hard enough to use for pommel strikes.
10 points on function, 9 on aesthetics (some chisel marks reduce the score).
The Guard
The guard is plain, and looks to be mild carbon steel. It’s a bit long compared to native Ginuntings. Functional, but boring.
8 points on function, 7 points on aesthetics.
The Pommel
I talked a bit about the pommel above while discussing the handle. The nut is decent and can’t be budged even with a lot of force. This makes for a solid construction. I was told that the tang of the blade was threaded, peened, and then epoxied. Talk about overkill.
I talked a bit about the pommel above while discussing the handle. The nut is decent and can’t be budged even with a lot of force. This makes for a solid construction. I was told that the tang of the blade was threaded, peened, and then epoxied. Talk about overkill.
9 points on function, 8 points on aesthetics.
The Scabbard
The scabbard is nice and simple. It’s made of Kamagong on the far side and of an unknown wood on the near side. This particular scabbard fits very well. A bit too well, in fact, as it requires some effort and angling to pull out without potentially slicing the inner core of the scabbard.
The Ginunting’s scabbard is a modern design, since it has a leather clip/strap to secure the blade and to wear it on a belt. This leather is, in turn, pinned to the inner side of the scabbard. A very practical design, albeit not traditional.
9 points on function, 8 points on aesthetics.
9 points on function, 8 points on aesthetics.
Overall average is 8.7 (87/100).
Handling Characteristics
I’ve discussed the nuance of this blade’s handling in that it feels more Moro than Visayan to me. This isn’t a bad thing if you want to CUT STUFF UP. In fact, this is probably at least equal to the task of cutting as my TFW Gayang. That said, I’ll add a few more notes on this blade for consideration.
Dry handling any pointed weapon is dangerous, but the Ginunting is a bit more dangerous than the average blade. First of all, there are fewer forward-curved blades than there are backward-curved ones. Unfamiliarity to these types of swords means it’s very easy to hit an arm or thigh while swinging if one miscalculates the curve of the weapon.
Second, the sharpened false edge is deceptively dangerous. A bad swing recovery/follow through can lead to an accident. I think it’s better to treat the Ginunting as a double-edged weapon than a single edged one, even if one edge is only 3 inches. Those 3 inches can take off a finger, or give you a very deep gash requiring emergency medical attention.
Third, one needs to focus very well on the follow-through. As previously discussed, the forward curve makes it different from straight or backward-curving swords, so the follow-through has to include a bit of wrist rotation and a concordant movement that takes away your all-important body parts from the blade’s trajectory. Unless one is at an instructor-level in FMA, one should stick to the simple strikes when playing around with the sword. .
Test Cutting
As I previously said, I haven’t cut with this but plan to do so within a week. I’m just posting this right now to pressure myself to cut with it.
If I may link you to other videos of this weapon, here’s one by C.S. Graves of EAA/Ramanon, and one of my own instructor showing his flow. Enjoy:
A really nice flourish with two swords here:
www.facebook.com/video.php?v=660565570662875&set=vb.100001283159247&type=3&theater
www.facebook.com/video.php?v=660565570662875&set=vb.100001283159247&type=3&theater
Conclusions
Ultimately 8.7/10 on objective points on a blade that is extremely popular. I highly recommend this one for a bug-out/apocalyptic sword-machete hybrid, for FMA/PTK practitioners, and even for non-FMA people interested in the forward-curved weapons. I also do recommend this for those whose tastes lie in more Western-style swords but want an Eastern sword for trick cutting/cutting parties.
Moreover, you can have these things customized quite easily, as ThePepperSkull showed in his thread. You can modify the grip, the wood type, the carvings, the shape, and it likely won’t cost you extra (if ever just a little bit). You can also have the scabbard or the blade engraved for a small fee.
And finally, here’s the most important point: this sword is sold for $120, and even lower when bought at sale. Just last year I think they had a sale wherein this sold for 3,500 PHP, which is just $77.78. An ABSOLUTE STEAL. They also ship overseas (no permit issues and whatnot).
So really, your dollars, euros, pesos, rubles, pounds, Zimbabwe dollars can be well-spent on these blades.
Pros (Bad-Poor-Decent-Good-Great)
Great blade.
Great handling.
Great looks.
Great price.
Cons
Forward curve takes some getting used to.
Not a traditional weapon by any stretch.
Buy now, don’t regret later.
With a brand new Albion Svante, you can get nearly 33 of these babies. If on sale, heck you can get 50. Of course, they aren’t within the same realm of beauty, purpose, type, history... but that’s just to give you some perspective on it.
In the office, doing its thing:
Hope you enjoyed the review! My next will be a Euro so hopefully it'll be up to par.
In the office, doing its thing:
Hope you enjoyed the review! My next will be a Euro so hopefully it'll be up to par.