Completing the parang rehandling; Part II

The handle on the Sarawak parang given by Danny is really good

There’s nothing wrong with the parang handle I made as posted earlier. But when I held the Sarawak parangs given by Mr Danny Voon from Kuching, I knew I needed to give my parang handle a make over. I have to do it, the blade after all was purchased for this purpose.

The handle on the parang given by Danny was exceptional for a couple of reasons. First of all, the curve on it gives it a great contour, making it almost impossible for the parang to ‘fly off’ during use. Secondly, while the carvings on the handle makes it looks good, it also gave it a good grip. It creates friction and even in wet conditions, the parang can be held steadily.

The two parang handles comparison

I doubt if I can copy the handle and I know I may not be able to even come close at copying the carvings. But I want to try to make the ‘curve’ characteristics for the parang. It really does give it a ‘non’slip’ advantage. I don’t have a big piece of wood to do this. The only piece I could find was a piece of guava wood in a ‘Y’ shape. This will have to do I suppose.

This ‘Y’ shaped guava wood will have to do

It was scary. The parang is already fitted with a wooden handle I liked but the urge (and itch) to redo it is just too much. After much hesitation, I knew I had to get it over and done with. Otherwise the endless walk in and out of the store room admiring the Sarawak parang will see no end. Now … to remove the old handle, time to call in the chisel.

It was a painful decision really

Aaaargh…the heartache!

It was no turning back. I had to go on. Slowly, I made the hole insert for the parang tang. This time, carefully making sure that the hole is as straight as possible. Not wanting the blade to be offset again. Then, with the Fiskars hatchet and Mora, the new handle starts to take shape.

It was a slow, careful process shaping this wood handle

The pieces, including the steel pin is all held together with epoxy

As usual, another 12 hours of wait for the epoxy to harden. I decided to stick to the copper wire and at the end of the entire process, the below is the final outcome. I am very very pleased with this new parang handle. Improved? Yes, I would definitely say so.

It is really satisfying having completed this piece

This new wood parang handle is to stay

I doubt if I will attempt another parang handle on this same blade (blade made in Bidor). This one is for keeps and use definitely.


More posts on blades:

• Bidayuh’s traditional furnace
• Kitchen & bamboo blades of the Bidayuhs in Semban
• Sarawak parangs with carvings- from Danny Voon
• Putting in a wooden handle; a DIY project
• The parang maker in Bidor
• Apai’s parang from Sarawak
• The Penan’s blade in Miri
• How a Penan harvest Umbut using his parang
• Wooden handle; a DIY project
• The parang shop in Temerloh
• The first parang Ilang from Sarawak