The Barong is one of the classic short swords used by the Filipino warriors who prized it for its ability to sever an arm or leg with a single blow! While widely known throughout south east Asia, it is particularly popular to this day with the Moros of Sulu, Mindanao, and North Borneo. Barongs feature distinctive leaf shaped blades that are quite heavy and measure up to 18" long by 3" wide. They have no guard, and often come with elaborate handles which anchor the heavy sword in the hand and help to resist centrifugal forces when making a hard chopping or slashing stroke. Many of the artisnas at Cold Steel are active practitioners of the Filipino Martial Artswith a great affinity for the Barong, and have interpreted it here as accurately as possible. The mirror polished blade of our Moro Barong is approximately 18" long by 23/4" wide and 1/4" thick at the spine. For maximum strength and effectiveness in battle, it is forged from 1050 high carbon spring tempered steel and distal tapered to assure perfect balance. The classically shaped, down-turned handle is made from exotic Rosewood, specially selected to match the scabbard in both grain and color. Each blade comes fully sharpened.