Review: TFW Ginunting - This Beauty Has Quite a Bite! 

Argh, slip of the tongue... In the video I said three hundred by accident, but the price is indeed $239.95, as the video description says.

Handle is made out of kamagong. It's a dense and dark wood commonly used to make knife handles (surprise, surprise!) for particularly ornate knives. You won't usually find that wood on the handles of workhorses but that's a military knife.

I grew up in the Visayan region, and I know exactly what the "Ginunting" means. Visayan soldiers always have this one when deployed in Mindanao. Acording to the "retired" coffemates, a Moro opponent will not shoot the Ginunting bearer during firefight, they will wait for the opportunity to do the duel...it is crazy but they value their ancestors way. Btw, Moro's carry a " Kris".

Don't worry Skall, your not the only one who gets turned on by forward curved blades.

" Ginunting" is famous here in Panay, Western Visayas , Ph. It belongs of family of itak (binangon on our dialect) . Itak is commonly used for cutting woods and bamboo, but ginunting is used as weapon because of its light weight and handy form. Unlike binangon and benggawan ( kind of itak), ginunting has an unusual shape because the blade is located the other way around. At present,You can hardly see that thing since it is mostly used by mountain people. Respect

I'm in that weird part of RU-vid, again. The part where people talk about nuts, tips, tight holes, and wrapping your fingers around wood.

This is amazing...I am a Filipino Warrior Arts student and I want to have one of that sword. Most of the Filipino swords are farm tools because of the spanish occupation...filipinos ate not allowed to own weapons. The handle of the Filipino swords design is because of the culture of ancient filipino tribes....I am still learning😂😂 Also love from the Philippines

Japanese anime: what if we make a peace loving samurai with a backwards katana? Sword community: *explains physics and rocket science to say that's stupid Filipinos: hold my san miguel

Someone was so blinded by Skalls awesomeness they accidentally hit the dislike button.

"Official sword of the Filipino marines." Damn, imagine if all marines went around with swords as part of their kit!

i own 1 ginunting from iloilo for P1200 only.. and its literally deadly blade.. when i go to vast jungles here i always carry my ginunting for training and test my bladr durability and cutting edge on banana trees and its so amazing

A note about the finger grooves on the scabbard: In Filipino martial arts, the scabbard of the sword is used to block and strike as well as the sword.

"Have you seen those warriors from Hammerfell? They have curved swords. Curved. Swords."

I've just finished seeing the testing of this, and then boom, magic Upload of the review

"Ginunting" when translated literally means "Scissor'd" almost sounds like "C-Sword" xD quite fitting if you as me.

"Ginunting" literally means scissors or scissored lmao

I hope you review more TFW stuff, seems like they have some amazing weapons.

this is a rare to see, you dont have any negative things to say which means this weapon/tool is totally worth every penny im a filipino btw

Hi I'm from the Philippines and I'm a subcriber of your channel. This is my first time to comment in your video. I hesitate always because you review your topics really well and I'm satisfied in it. The reason why i tried to comment is just to say the way you pulled the Guinunting in its scabbard is correct. That is the correct way of pulling Filipino swords/edge tools. Well it really depends on how you trust the quality of the scabbard. Some pull it full hugged by their hands. But mostly people with experience here pulled it the way you do in the video. In other provinces they hold the scabbard on the far end while pulling. All scabbards here have visible line which they joined the two parts, it is traditionally made that way. Only ornated weapons has a rounded scabbard and has no visible line. All scabbard were made to rattle when the tool is inside. Traditionally it is made that way so any form of dirt, sand or mud that has come while working in the field will come off easily by tapping the scabbard upside down or it will not make the tool hard to be pulled. It also makes you to pull it fast while inside the jungle or the streets when there is a sudden danger. It is also made that way so the sharpened edge won't usually keep in touch with the wood to prevent from dulling. Most Filipino scabbards had holes either in the far end or in the end side for water to come out to while using it in case of raining. All is made of hard wood either iron wood, sapling wood from a jackfruit tree or from velvet persimmon tree/ mabolo tree (kamagong wood). Kamagong wood is also the wood used at the handle of your Guinunting. To add a fact the butt end of the handle is carved to resemble the mouth or the head of the local mythical dragon called Bakunawa or naga bakunawa ( the moon eater dragon). The diety for headhunters. The blade to resemble its fangs coated with poison. I know my comment is boring :) I wish you more success in your videos. And thank you for the reviews :)

Funny how everyone always acted like Rurouni Kenshin was at a super disadvantage because he used a ginunting instead of a katana lol.

That's one sexy blade.

Filipinos really know their blades. Beautiful and effective!

I always love seeing these videos. TFW is one of my favorite companies and one that my family and I have talked about (as we are Filipino). So it's always nice to see your delight with the company

Entertaining and informative for sure. Great video Skall! I know pretty much nothing about non-european swords, so it's super cool to see things like this.

It's cool to see you reviewing a Filipino weapon. I don't know much about my people's weapons, but to see someone who knows swords review it definitely deserves props.

Reverse Edge Sword use by Battusai. I didnt expect it to be from the Philippines

Nice content! Keep it up!

I come back to your channel after a while of not watching your videos, and now you have a review of my people's weapons. Awesome.

Well this is nice, as a Filipino I find it neat to have our culture recognized up here on RU-vid :)

The handle looks like it's made from kamagong (indeed an iron wood), which grows native here in the Philippines. It's commonly used for furniture, as well as sticks and wooden swords.

love this format dooope been a fan for a minute

Kali Blade?

Great review as allways Skallagrim. Since you are no practitioner of fma let me point out one little thing you missed. The finger grooves on the scabbard are absolutely awesome, since you would use it defensively in your left hand, pointing down. I wonder why they even put a clip on the side. I would take it of and just stickt it under my belt, so I could draw it out as fast as possible. Just my 2 cents. Keep up the good work and greetings from germany.

I've seen FMA guys carrying their swords around in hands, so I guess those finger groves on the scabbard are for more comfortable and secure grip when doing that.

TFW make some of the best weapons on the market right now. I own 2, the butterfly swords and the dao. I love both and they will not be my last purchases from this company. Great review Skall, thanks again.

Thank you Skall, I was really waiting for this review. Seems like I now have to buy one...

My pals from northern Luzon and I have a running joke when it comes to the ginunting: When you need to harvest crops in the morning, but need to teach your children some skills or need to defend yourself in the afternoon...

My father love" ginunting" so much. It means" scissor like". My weapon of choice. We Filipino do it with blades in both hands.

hey, just wanted to say that I really enjoy your content! its clear you still really love what you do, and I sincerely hope the youtube shenanigans dont discourage you. cool sword, and great video! keep it up broski

what a pretty weapon thanks for the review skall I'll be purchasing one of these in one of the coming months.

With this you can open coconuts, open people's heads, open watermelons, chop firewood, chop a tree, cleave the goat's head off, walk around the rice field like a baws! Fun fact: Filipinos in the island of Samar duel using blades that may include something like this. They tie their left hands together so no one escapes from the duel then they hack and try to end each other!!

tho in terms of get shit done in the vegetation here, a pinuti can kinda do something that fast and quick or if you want something that can break open coconuts and occasionally break someone's skull with a one hand hit, the Bicolano Minasbad can fare well for that.

Excellent review Sir!

I just bought me one. Can't wait

I live in a community where they make ginunting and other traditional Filipino weapons. In fact, beside my house is a "pandayan" or the workshop, I wake up every morning to the sound of pounding hammers.

have you ever thought of buying and reviewing a weapon made by Baltimore Knife & Sword?

The handle is called kamagong, it has a shade of black and red, the darker the color means the older the tree and the wood will be harder by age of the tree before cutting.

I have a preference for forward curved swords as well, and with high praises coming from Skall in this review, I'll definitely be saving money for this one next

Do one about the most feared traditional Filipino weapon the flip-flop (filipinos will get it)

The handle wood is called kamagong, harder than narra wood. The shape of the handle is design from the tabak, kampilan and even criss sword.

Finally something near and dear to my heart.

Love this piece! Thanks for the review!

What's the advantage/disadvantage of forward blades? do you have a video of this?

That handle wood is called Kamagong here in the Philippines.

Thanks for the info. I want one of that! I checked at TFW web site and it shows Out of Stock but I will continue to check and order it. Thanks again for sharing this awesome GINUNTING. 👍🏻💪

That is one gorgeous little beast of a blade.

You can't throw the Pommel but it's curved to your pinky to make sure you don't end them rightly with your entire sword in a front swing. 9/10

An amazing weapon. It is such a shame that so many Filipinos depended on such things in the fight against American infantrymen with a few weeks of boot camp, itchy wool uniforms, and a Krag-Jorgenson .30/40 in their hands. A toast to the fighters on both sides of the Filipino Insurrection of 1899-1902.

Wow, this Ginunting looks amazing!

I love that you actually pronounce it correctly.

A real beauty!

Skall! Have you seen the claymore made by Traditional Filipino Weapons? It's my all-time favorite sword, aesthetically.

The fingergrooves on the scabbard are for using it in combat as a parry weapon. Some styles even use the scabbard in the main hand.

Well damn, Skall is slimming down quick! Keep it up, and looking good!

This looked liked Kenshin's reversed edged katana bro. Pretty sweet 👌

How much gain on that mic lol? Full ASMR mode engaged with that rustly shirt XD Excellent review as usual. I really like the look of that blade; it's sexy as hell.

That is a beautiful blade. This could be the first sword I'll buy. I also loved the Espada y Daga but this one is even more beautiful!

Beautiful handle, love that sheath too

TFW just beautiful high quality functional items. I got my big ass kukri and my yard has been much better for it since

Man in the province where I grew up in, every grandfather owns a Ginunting 😂

There are so many replays that are at the very least uneducated. The forward shape of this blade is first a special design for a select group and requires training in its proper use. Second will grab you like a claw and rip you up. Highly effective battle proven design and was not created by some anime guy from a katana. See Filipino Marines,Pekiti-Tirsia Kali So leave the information responses to the professionals like myself and others. This is a exceptionally well made sword. Salamat po, GM Ron

I want to cry its so beautiful

My best friend and I used to practice Lamaco Eskrima together years ago and in between practice go to the old TFW weapons site and drool over all their stuff. They in part inspired me to do blade-smithing so it's wonderful to see that they are still around and improving the quality of the work they do. I'm pretty sure the blades are forged and assembled in the Philippines which explains the very reasonable price.

please try other exotic knife/sword like shotel/keris/etc

Very nice review Skall. I want some of these blades. Too bad I have to wait till I can get it, as the Ginunting is on Backorder now at KoA. Keep at the great work.

What a beast of a blade!

Hey Skall, have you ever thought about sending your test videos to Cult of Athena to see if they would post your videos under their items? They have that button saying "send in your videos" and I've always wondered about it. I think it would be pretty cool to at least see if they'd link your vids and if they did, more publicity, am I right?

*IMAGINE USING 2 OF THESE AT THE SAME TIME*

Great review Skall.

Was checking this out from watching you chop shit up beautiful tool looks awesome and very functional

One thing i realize about filipino swords is that it's always effective to use as a weapon and also a tool but always a pain the sheath.

If I have to choose one between the two, should I go for Ginunting or espada y daga? 🤔

I have this blade and it is everything you say. I was drawn to its unusual shape and the fact that it was an active blade in use by the Filipino Marines. A very intimidating blade! You may wish to pair it with TFWs Hagibis, as I have done.

The scabbard is designed to be used in combat as well as the sword. It's used similarly to a parrying dagger but you'd use more deflection parries

Is the grip there for drawing or using the scabbard as a makeshift weapon?

This just made me think: Count Dooku would've used this exactly style of blade if he were a real world villain, based on his style and the hilt of his lightsaber.

WOW! THAT TING! LOOKS SCARY! SHARP! AND FEELS LIKE IF LOOKS CAN KILL, IT ALREADY KILLED ME!

Damn, haven't payed attention to your sub count for a while. Congrats on breaking 800k!!

“You see those Kali fighters? They have curved swords...curved...swords.”

Filipino Pride! I really appreciated this review I don't see many videos on YT about Filipino weapons.

My first sword is a Ginunting (KCB though, not TFW) and it is a dream to use! Always love when you review/test Filipino swords. Though to make a small correction, it's only the official sword of the Philippine Marine Corps Force Recon Battalion, the elite/special forces unit of the Philippine Marines.

My first sword (which I bought a couple of months ago now) was one of TFW's Kriss blades (the Moro Kris Sword #4 i believe it was called on Kult of Athena) and I got to say I am extremely happy with it overall, although maintenance is a bit tricky due to its blade shape haha.

Skall make a video about scythes

I feel like that is a strange thing to be worried about. The sword cutting through the scabbard I mean. Have you cut yourself with a bladed thing while drawing it from its sheath before?

Very good video. I have practiced Kali and Escrima since I was 9 at Kato's School of Kempo and Kali. I also studied at Spirit of the Dragon Kempo, Kali and Muay Thai kickboxing here in Regina later on. I really like this sword. The handle looks to be made from Kamagong wood. I had a Ginunting and a Talibong made like this. I used to work at the Cutting Edge knife store in Regina, Saskatchewan for 4 years and my boss Darren Daoust had it made by a friend of his that practiced Pekiti Tirsia Kali with him. R.I.P Darren...until we meet again my friend...

Nice........Thanks for featuring one of our traditional "ginunting"

How does it compare to a kukri? To my untrained, yet enthusiastic, eye they seem to have about the same purpose.

im a filipino and that weapon is lit.

We need more TFW reviews in the future!

I really liked your review it was very in depth