Another Philippine What's It
 

Seeing that there have been some very interesting Philippine pieces posted to the forum tonight I thought I would add this strange little piece into the mix. The scabbard seems Visayan to me, but the blade does not look to have the chisel edge that I would expect to see. The horn covering looks to be in nice condition but the brass banding that would normally cover the seams are missing. All together a nice but very odd little knife. Any and all information that is offered on this will be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Robert

What a beautiful Visayan knife Robert! I am green with envy! The pommel and ferrule seems to my eyes also Visayan so I think that the complete knife is in all parts original. It would be easy to make two new small brass rings between the two horn plates. Never before I have seen such a Visayan knife.
When you plan to make this two rings please post pictures when you have finished the work.

Best regards,
Detlef

Thank you Detlef. The bands will be replaced as soon as it arrives. What was throwing me off was the blade itself not seeming to have a chisel edge and that I have never seen a hilt with the wood carved in this style either. It almost has a gunong look to it. I am hoping that it will arrive by Saturday and I will have it repaired and cleaned in a day or two. I will post new photos of it then.

Best,
Robert

Hello Robert,

isn't the pommel not from black horn? I nearly would bet it is! :D Not all Visayan knives has a chisel edge, look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=visayan
You have got a real gem with this knife!

Regards,
Detlef

Hello Detlef, I'm not quite sure if the hilt is made from horn, black palm or possibly ironwood. I know that the blade not having a chisel ground blade is not completely unheard of as I have a Plamingko that does not have a chisel ground blade, it just seems unusual for one with this blade shape. :shrug: Here are the best photos that I can get from the original one for a close-up of the hilt as well as one of the Plamingko.

Best,
Robert

You could be correct, let's wait until you have it in hand! :)

Regards,
Detlef

Well, the knife arrived today and is now in the process of getting a good cleaning and slight polish to the horn bits. I must admit Detlef that your eyesight is much better that mine as the hilt has indeed turned out to be made from horn just as you predicted. I will post more photos in a few days after I finish replacing the two missing brass scabbard bands.

Best,
Robert

Only good glasses Robert! :D Already curious to see the finished knife! :)

Regards,
Detlef

Any updates Robert? :)

Detlef, I will try to get some new photos taken and posted sometime in the next couple of days or so. With Christmas coming up things have been rather hectic around here. The wife has been trying to get the house in order for company and I have been trying to get over being a bit under the weather so I haven't really been getting much done as far as my collection goes.

I would like to wish you as well as everyone here on the forum a Very Merry Christmas, and a Most Wonderful New Year !!!

Best Regards,
Robert

Also to you and all others, A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Regards,
Detlef