This Sarawak's OldMan on Youtube

 

Look him up on Youtube

I recently stumbled upon a new channel on Youtube called Sarawak's OldMan while searching for more information on Parangs. I have and probably will always be a parang only person. In particular parangs from Sarawak. After watching two videos he posted about local Sarawak parangs, it is safe to say that I was impressed. Impressed enough to reach out to him and see if he is willing to help me get some parangs. 

The real parangs of Sarawak

It is getting harder to find real parangs of Sarawak. Real in the sense to me that it is authentically made to the needs of the people there. The locals there still hunts, gathers and work their farms to sustain themselves. They would not have just one type of parang for all purpose. I have seen folks in longhouses not too far from Kuching havig all sort of parang designs. Each has its own use and purpose. And this is what Sarawak's OldMan captured quite well in his video. I don't think all the information he shared in his video is accurate for all parangs throughout Sarawak but he is observant and experienced enough to know Sarawak parangs to outline the points he made. Not the sort of information one would generally get from a typical 'parang video'. 

Some important points Sarawak's OldMan made

One of the first parangs I purchased in Sarawak a long time ago

I messaged Sarawak's OldMan via WhatsApp. I also did call him over the phone and we chatted a bit. Here are some points I find interesting:

1. He wanted to know what I wanted the parang for (use)
2. He wanted to know how tall I am
3. He wanted to know if I had large palms
4. He not keen on taking a deposit

I can only conclude that this man knows his parangs. There is no one size fits all when it comes to parangs. It has to suit the user. No need to mention the important of the parang handle. The market is flooded with parangs of al shape and sizes but the handle is all the same! This is totally wrong IMHO. Some blades are long and the swing action during use must be accompanied by the right design of handle to avoid slipping or fatigue. Some blades require a 'flatter' handle to give it more control and it minimize risk of blade twisting/ deflecting when in use. 

The parangs I ordered from Sarawak's OldMan

So, I ordered a few parangs from Sarawak's OldMan. I am excited but at the same time unhappy that he did not agree to accepting a deposit. He insists that I pay him once the parangs are ready to be shipped. This is a clear sign that OldMan is a typical Sarawakian. Too trusting. While I appreciate him trusting me, I am concerned that his 'trust' would be trampled on by others in the future. I do hope that one day he will read this and it will not be too late. Here I say it again...

"Old man...you must take a deposit from anyone who orders a parang (or anything else for that matter) from you'.

I am in no hurry to get the parangs. Plus I prefer Old Man to take his time making the handles for the blades (I am not getting the sheaths made). In the mean time, I will slowly take time to watch Sarawak's OldMan videos on you tube.