Blade Cultures International Alpanghe
Oct 30, 2016 2:02:45 GMT
Post by Afoo on Oct 30, 2016 2:02:45 GMT
So, recently I bought an Alpanghe from hiromiko . Had some time with it to give my first impressions
I have no background in Filipino weapons, so I did some digging. From their website, the Alpanghe is
According to the expertice of Croccifixio :
Both these descriptions the dual-use nature of weapons pervasive in this region. Indeed, most Filipino weapons appear to have this in mind, whether the smaller Bolo knives or the larger Parangs. The only exception appears to be the Kris, though in that case I would argue that its dual roles are martial/ceremonial role.
One can see many similarities with the Kukri of Nepal or the Machette from the Amazon basin. Like the Kukri and the Machette, the traditional design elements of the Alpanghe and other Filipino weapons has been reimagined in the form of modern reproductions such as the one I have here.
Now, I have what I like to think of as a fair amount of expertise in Western sabres. However, I have very little (read: no) background in Filipino weapons. I purchased this one because I wanted to diversify my collection, and figured that if I wanted to get started, I may as well start off right. While I am happy with that decision, one inevitable consequence is that this review is about as far from an expert opinion as possible.
Statistics: I have nothing to compare this to, so I will eschew the table format for now
Blade length: 20.5 inches
Overall length: 27 inches
PoB: 4.5 inches
Blade Thickness: 6mm – 3.5 mm
Weight: 829g (1.8 pounds)
Historical Background
As highlighted in my preamble, the Alpanghe is allegedly derived from working tools. I say “allegedly” since I was unable to find any trace of the term “Alpanghe” on the interwebs. That said, BCI claims that this is a very local term, and my search tools are currently limited to English language websites, so I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt there.
I was able to find images of contemporary Filipino weapons in various museum collections, including some images from the Royal Ontario Museum – a collection which I myself saw in person this past summer. While there are many types of Filipino weapons, there are certain themes and commonalities between the weapon designs of the various regions. Among them are the distinct curved or hooked grip and the noticeable “belly” on many of their blades.
Barong knives, showing the exaggerated belly and the hooked grips (ROM) <-- see links for more collection images and more examples
Large bolo knife. Note the similar, albeit more discrete, blade profile and decorated grip (Macao Museum of Arts)
While the BCI production sword shares some of these features, it is by no means 100% historically accurate. If we look at the grips, we see that the angles and corners are much more angular. The hook at the end of the grip appears to be exaggerated and the brass nut at the end seems to be a modern addition. The historic grips also tend to be more elaborate in terms of the decorations and embellishments, and have more of an indigenous feel to them, though some examples show a much more Islamic influence. I would say that the BCI reproduction is “inspired” by the historic Filipino examples, but is no means a traditional representation. There is one example I found which matches the BCI, but it is very much the minority. Same goes for the blade – its similar to existing examples, but has been modified for Western consumption. Its similar to the Kukris I reviewed earlier – they are inspired by traditional Filipino weapons, but have been redesigned for modern production methods and buyer tastes.
The Blade:
Speaking of modern production methods, the blade is most definitely not a product of traditional blacksmithing. The lines are too precise, and the finish too uniform. The surface is also covered with these thin lines which call to mind the workings of a CNC mill rather than an artisanal smith working alone by the fire. I do see some wavy lateral lines running the length of the blade. Not sure if this represents some form of differential hardening, or acid treatment to give the appearance of such. Either way it adds to the aesthetic if nothing else
LEFT: Wavy lines (visible closer to the tip) running up and down the blade. Not sure what those are from. RIGHT: Machining marks on the blade itself, running across (horizontal) in the bottom half. Also note the edge. Yes there is a secondary bevel, but it still cuts paper. Also close up of the engravings. There is no way that is not done using modern machine tools.
That said, the blade itself is excellent in terms of function. Apparently the taper is not as through as on historical examples, but still not bad. Its on par with a Windlass – not perfect, but perfectly functional. As mentioned, the blade seeks to reproduce the function, if not the form of the traditional weapons, and it succeeds in doing that. The forward cant really helps with slicing cuts while the clipped point, while anachronistic, gives it significant poking abilities. Despite being second hand, the belly of the edge is still paper cutting sharp, despite the fact that its stored in a solid wood scabbard.
The embellishment engravings, while also anachronistic, are well done and serve to visually break up a part of the blade which would be very dull otherwise. The overall aesthetics looks almost “Elven” rather than indigenous, but that works for me.
The Grip:
Blade Cultures International is apparently a supplier for TFW and/or an independent manufacturer of roughly equivalent quality and reputation. Given the high regard for TFW, the grip lives up to expectations. Despite its anachronisms, it is beautifully made in dark wood. While it has a few acute angles, the grip fits the hand well and does not poke or rub uncomfortably. It feels very natural and encourages you to play. The backwards hook helps with slashing control and movement while the overall length helps with point control. Overall a very nice design
The grips are a thing of beauty. The dark wood and brass accents go together so well. It fits the hand well too, with the bottom hook perfectly wrapping around the little finger. Two "bubbles" are visible in the last pic
The brass guard adds functionality without disrupting the smooth lines of the weapon. There were some bubbles in the guard, suggesting perhaps some defects in the starting material. Alternatively they could be ejector pin marks formed when the brass guards were punched from their molds. Either way, this is the only bit of iffy workmanship here, and its very minor
The Scabbard:
The scabbard is solid wood and well adorned with decorations. Again, I cannot speak for their historical accuracy, though they do look nice. Unlike other solid wood scabbards I have owned, the fit is tight, and there is no rattling at all when fully sheathed. There is a clever combined belt clip and retaining lock which mars the traditional appearance, but more then makes up for it in terms of added functionality
1) Scabbard fits the blade excellently 2) The dual belt clip/retaining lock 3) The scabbard itself is well made and decorated. Its like good makeup - the embellishments look good but do not stand out.
Handling:
This thing is terrifying. It is heavy for its length, but the grip and forward tilted blade encourage you to move it around. Its not uncontrollable by any means, but rather the opposite – its so easy to move you forget you are waving around 1.8 pounds of steel and pain. Point control is acceptable, especially with the clip point which helps to give a more defined tip. However, cutting is its forte by a large margin.
Conclusion:
Objectively speaking, this is a good sword. It handles well and it looks very nice – exotic and almost elven, without looking like a tacky wallhanger. The manufacture quality is good, and its certainly solid enough and practical enough to be used in the field.
Where people may find issue with it is the lack of historical accuracy and the price. Despite marketing themselves as such, the BCI weapons are not representative of historical examples, at least not the ones I have seen. They are “inspired” by traditional weapons perhaps but are designed and modified to appeal to modern Western aesthetics as well. That works for me, but if you want something that has some semblance of authenticity, better to go for an original antique.
Which brings me to the price. The price for one of these new from the store is $290 US before shipping, though the TFW equivalent from KoA would come in at $230. I got mine at a discount thanks to the SBG forums, but even then it costs about the same as a good quality replica sabre or infantry sword with blue and gilt blade – and you get at least 10 more inches of steel with either option. Ebay is a minefield for antique Filipino weapons, but apparently they can be had for similar (if not less) than the cost of a new replica. For diehard collectors or practitioners of martial traditions it may be worth it, but for myself I cannot recommend paying the full MRSP price for one of these. Even the significantly discounted second hand price I got on it was borderline in terms of value (that is a statement against the factory MRSP rather than the fair dealing and generosity of hiromiko
Full sized pics available here. Original classified listing here.
Other things $230 can buy....
I have no background in Filipino weapons, so I did some digging. From their website, the Alpanghe is
“[…] a bolo with a belly near the tip and the top curves slightly near the piercing edge. In martial arts practice, the Alpanghe is effectively used for slashing and piercing in ‘largo mano’ range. As for farm implement–it is a machete that can be used as a multi-tasking bladed tool (e.g. clearing of bushes, land pile trimmings for rice planting preparations, etc.)”
According to the expertice of Croccifixio :
”[…] That said, the Alpanghe design looks more like a longer fighting version of the famous Katipunan Itak (the Katipunan was a revolutionary group that fought Spain and the USA in the late 19th-early 20th century. Many of its soldiers were of the poor and peasant class who could not afford much in the way of firearms […]”
Both these descriptions the dual-use nature of weapons pervasive in this region. Indeed, most Filipino weapons appear to have this in mind, whether the smaller Bolo knives or the larger Parangs. The only exception appears to be the Kris, though in that case I would argue that its dual roles are martial/ceremonial role.
One can see many similarities with the Kukri of Nepal or the Machette from the Amazon basin. Like the Kukri and the Machette, the traditional design elements of the Alpanghe and other Filipino weapons has been reimagined in the form of modern reproductions such as the one I have here.
Now, I have what I like to think of as a fair amount of expertise in Western sabres. However, I have very little (read: no) background in Filipino weapons. I purchased this one because I wanted to diversify my collection, and figured that if I wanted to get started, I may as well start off right. While I am happy with that decision, one inevitable consequence is that this review is about as far from an expert opinion as possible.
Statistics: I have nothing to compare this to, so I will eschew the table format for now
Blade length: 20.5 inches
Overall length: 27 inches
PoB: 4.5 inches
Blade Thickness: 6mm – 3.5 mm
Weight: 829g (1.8 pounds)
Historical Background
As highlighted in my preamble, the Alpanghe is allegedly derived from working tools. I say “allegedly” since I was unable to find any trace of the term “Alpanghe” on the interwebs. That said, BCI claims that this is a very local term, and my search tools are currently limited to English language websites, so I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt there.
I was able to find images of contemporary Filipino weapons in various museum collections, including some images from the Royal Ontario Museum – a collection which I myself saw in person this past summer. While there are many types of Filipino weapons, there are certain themes and commonalities between the weapon designs of the various regions. Among them are the distinct curved or hooked grip and the noticeable “belly” on many of their blades.
Barong knives, showing the exaggerated belly and the hooked grips (ROM) <-- see links for more collection images and more examples
Large bolo knife. Note the similar, albeit more discrete, blade profile and decorated grip (Macao Museum of Arts)
While the BCI production sword shares some of these features, it is by no means 100% historically accurate. If we look at the grips, we see that the angles and corners are much more angular. The hook at the end of the grip appears to be exaggerated and the brass nut at the end seems to be a modern addition. The historic grips also tend to be more elaborate in terms of the decorations and embellishments, and have more of an indigenous feel to them, though some examples show a much more Islamic influence. I would say that the BCI reproduction is “inspired” by the historic Filipino examples, but is no means a traditional representation. There is one example I found which matches the BCI, but it is very much the minority. Same goes for the blade – its similar to existing examples, but has been modified for Western consumption. Its similar to the Kukris I reviewed earlier – they are inspired by traditional Filipino weapons, but have been redesigned for modern production methods and buyer tastes.
The Blade:
Speaking of modern production methods, the blade is most definitely not a product of traditional blacksmithing. The lines are too precise, and the finish too uniform. The surface is also covered with these thin lines which call to mind the workings of a CNC mill rather than an artisanal smith working alone by the fire. I do see some wavy lateral lines running the length of the blade. Not sure if this represents some form of differential hardening, or acid treatment to give the appearance of such. Either way it adds to the aesthetic if nothing else
LEFT: Wavy lines (visible closer to the tip) running up and down the blade. Not sure what those are from. RIGHT: Machining marks on the blade itself, running across (horizontal) in the bottom half. Also note the edge. Yes there is a secondary bevel, but it still cuts paper. Also close up of the engravings. There is no way that is not done using modern machine tools.
That said, the blade itself is excellent in terms of function. Apparently the taper is not as through as on historical examples, but still not bad. Its on par with a Windlass – not perfect, but perfectly functional. As mentioned, the blade seeks to reproduce the function, if not the form of the traditional weapons, and it succeeds in doing that. The forward cant really helps with slicing cuts while the clipped point, while anachronistic, gives it significant poking abilities. Despite being second hand, the belly of the edge is still paper cutting sharp, despite the fact that its stored in a solid wood scabbard.
The embellishment engravings, while also anachronistic, are well done and serve to visually break up a part of the blade which would be very dull otherwise. The overall aesthetics looks almost “Elven” rather than indigenous, but that works for me.
The Grip:
Blade Cultures International is apparently a supplier for TFW and/or an independent manufacturer of roughly equivalent quality and reputation. Given the high regard for TFW, the grip lives up to expectations. Despite its anachronisms, it is beautifully made in dark wood. While it has a few acute angles, the grip fits the hand well and does not poke or rub uncomfortably. It feels very natural and encourages you to play. The backwards hook helps with slashing control and movement while the overall length helps with point control. Overall a very nice design
The grips are a thing of beauty. The dark wood and brass accents go together so well. It fits the hand well too, with the bottom hook perfectly wrapping around the little finger. Two "bubbles" are visible in the last pic
The brass guard adds functionality without disrupting the smooth lines of the weapon. There were some bubbles in the guard, suggesting perhaps some defects in the starting material. Alternatively they could be ejector pin marks formed when the brass guards were punched from their molds. Either way, this is the only bit of iffy workmanship here, and its very minor
The Scabbard:
The scabbard is solid wood and well adorned with decorations. Again, I cannot speak for their historical accuracy, though they do look nice. Unlike other solid wood scabbards I have owned, the fit is tight, and there is no rattling at all when fully sheathed. There is a clever combined belt clip and retaining lock which mars the traditional appearance, but more then makes up for it in terms of added functionality
1) Scabbard fits the blade excellently 2) The dual belt clip/retaining lock 3) The scabbard itself is well made and decorated. Its like good makeup - the embellishments look good but do not stand out.
Handling:
This thing is terrifying. It is heavy for its length, but the grip and forward tilted blade encourage you to move it around. Its not uncontrollable by any means, but rather the opposite – its so easy to move you forget you are waving around 1.8 pounds of steel and pain. Point control is acceptable, especially with the clip point which helps to give a more defined tip. However, cutting is its forte by a large margin.
Conclusion:
Objectively speaking, this is a good sword. It handles well and it looks very nice – exotic and almost elven, without looking like a tacky wallhanger. The manufacture quality is good, and its certainly solid enough and practical enough to be used in the field.
Where people may find issue with it is the lack of historical accuracy and the price. Despite marketing themselves as such, the BCI weapons are not representative of historical examples, at least not the ones I have seen. They are “inspired” by traditional weapons perhaps but are designed and modified to appeal to modern Western aesthetics as well. That works for me, but if you want something that has some semblance of authenticity, better to go for an original antique.
Which brings me to the price. The price for one of these new from the store is $290 US before shipping, though the TFW equivalent from KoA would come in at $230. I got mine at a discount thanks to the SBG forums, but even then it costs about the same as a good quality replica sabre or infantry sword with blue and gilt blade – and you get at least 10 more inches of steel with either option. Ebay is a minefield for antique Filipino weapons, but apparently they can be had for similar (if not less) than the cost of a new replica. For diehard collectors or practitioners of martial traditions it may be worth it, but for myself I cannot recommend paying the full MRSP price for one of these. Even the significantly discounted second hand price I got on it was borderline in terms of value (that is a statement against the factory MRSP rather than the fair dealing and generosity of hiromiko
Full sized pics available here. Original classified listing here.
Other things $230 can buy....