The Parang which is a gift to me from Apai74
This is a beautiful Sarawak Parang blade I received from my friend Apai74. Apai74 or James is no stranger in knife forums like BritishBlades and MKF. I got in touch with him some time back through a mutual friend and a few months ago, James’ package of ‘Parang’ arrived at my office. Oh…what a beauty.
I know James is a blade lover. He told me he made ‘part’ of this Parang and I am hoping that one day I will be able to visit him and his ‘workshop’. I have seen some of the local Malaysian blade smith but most of them churn out pieces by hundreds in a day. James is the only person I know so far in Malaysia that makes blade out of interest.
I was impressed the moment I tore the packaging open to reveal the Parang. The handle felt good and the sheath fitted perfectly. The shape of the blade resembles a little bit like my other Parang Candong but much shorter in total length.
The new Parang from Apai74 (middle) compared to my other Candong & a Mora Viking
How does it cut? Unbelievable! I tried shaving my leg with the Parang and it did just that, something I thought only possible with my Carbon Steel Mora.
It did not take me long to put the Parang to test. Behind my house there is a dead tree, waiting to break and smash into one of the houses nearby. About 2 feet off the ground, the tree trunk measured nothing less than 9 inches in diameter. A few of the neighbors got together and one of them brought along an old rusted Parang to ‘chop’ the tree down. Obviously the rusted Parang didn’t do anything except tire down Mr Chong. So…out came James’s Parang and I started chopping the tree. Within a few good strikes, chunks of wood were already taken off the tree. Mr Chong looked at me and said “wow…can I try?”. “Of course you can but if you chop off your own leg, I am not sending you to the hospital!”
I think it took us less than 10 minutes to finally chop the tree down. While we were all rather surprised at how hard the dead and dry tree was, I was particularly more amazed at how efficient the Parang is at eating into the tree!
Blade of the Parang James made for me
I wish I can say that the Parang is part of my main kit these days. The fact is that the Parang is too damn sharp for me to be carrying around for now. Especially when people I am out with tend to ‘borrow’ gears from each other.
Well James, I can tell you that if you ever want to sell anymore of your hand-made blades, let me know. I wouldn’t mind another piece…or more!
Wow…nice parang. I got one like that long time ago. Lost it during a 4WD trip. Now I miss my parang.
Hi there, I’m also a Parang collector as i use them a lot too in Borneo jungle. there are plenty of Parang maker in the village.there are very handy especially enter the trail…
Hi Danny! Ah…another parang collector! Maybe one day we can visit you and get a private tour to your ‘collection’
Thanks for dropping by Danny!
As far as people borrowing gear, to me asking to borrow someone elses knife or knives is (almost) a ‘no go zone’.
if you do go there it’s with the utmost care and respect, and give it back as soon as the job is done.
I more often than not refuse such requests to use my blades unless I know that the person understands them.
many folk in modern societies just dony respect knives
I know what you mean. I have a friend that borrowed his Mora to another mate and it ended up being used as a pry bar for a can of sardines. Blade iis not just a cutting tool I think, it is a companion.
Blades are cutting…not prying! I would have scolded him. Hence, i never lend anything. Same goes for my fishing rods. Most people have no respect to use the right tool for the right job, esp when it does not belong to them. I rather do the task for them when they wanna borrow the tool.
LOL JC! Me the same. Sometimes I bring an extra parang just for people to borrow. So that they don’t abuse mine
Hello,
I will be in KL, Malaysia on business next week and would really like to see some local blades and bladesmiths.
Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Yours,
John Frankl
Hi John…there aren’t any bladesmith near KL. The nearest would be Behrang & Bidor.
Check your email, sent you a message.
Hi, do you know any way to buy a couple of work parangs, preferrably like the Candong, from abroad?
Haven’t been in the jungle for ages [Live in Sweden.] But clearing brush is the same the world over and I miss a good parang every time I have to get at it!
Love reading the posts here and wonderful parangs. Sorry if I’m commenting old posts but it’s all new awesomeness to me!
You got email Carl