Tabak
 

Got another little piece off ebay...I really need to stop this.

A tabak, 26" long with 16 1/2" long, 1/3" thick blade. I really like the horse hoof pommel - a powerful reason for me buying this.
haven't seen too many of these in the past. Any comments about the date, WWII-era?

Emanuel

Looks almost identical to the style of manufacture used by Ilocos smiths and imported to Californida, USA by Reflections of Asia. However, I didn't know they made this model. Perhaps they are simply continuing a traditional style, or this is not as old as it was said to be?

I don't know much, but I was struck by how similar it looked to the bolos from Ilocos.

You may be right:

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4994/bolo2jk5bg9.jpg

The bottom one ia extremely similar. The seller said this was brought back in WWII - he provides the sldier's name. We'll see when I get it.

Still a nice little chopper

where did you find that picture? Google images? I was actually on another forum asking which one was the 17" one and I was the one who "photoshopped" that picture by adding the circle and stuff :D

I believe Reflections of Asia is currently sold out but I'm not sure

:D Google's rampant indexation policies at work :D

If you ended up getting that bolo, are you pleased with it?

Sorry for the late reply. Yes I was pleased, it was good for what it was intended. Rough, but good quality. I also etched the blade prior to selling it. :D

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/1835/dfsdfled.jpg

Reflections of Asia now also has both bolos from Ilocos and Batangas. In stock.

This tabak definitely looks older than the bolos made for ReflectionsOfAsia. I'm not sure how miuch older though. Again, my knowledge in anything posted here is superficial when compared to the knowledge of others here and I am judging by the photos provided. In-hand my assessment may differ. They still make blades of this particular shape, although the horse hoof is less common. Still done I think, but less common.

Newer made bolos often have rough grind marks and, when possible, are shaped mainly by stock removal I find. I can tell by the pictures that this piece was forged, because of the ripples and waves from hammering on the blade. Also, I can't see any grindmarks, but if there are it may still be of recent manufacture.