Klewang/Bolo ID Assist?

Conogre · 14th February 2005, 10:29 PM

Since I'm back, I just happen to have picked up several that have me a bit stumped and thought I'd ask you gentlemen for some assistance and opinions on.
This one has an overall length of 20 1/2", an unusual 14 1/4" curved blade that's hand forged and 5/16ths of an inch thick where it enters the hilt.
The blade is tanged and pinned into a dark wooden hilt that's split open for 3/4 of it's length and wrapped with 3 thick copper bands.
The pommel end is in the form of a simple animal face that's inset with two copper eyes and a copper mouth and has an opening in the top of the head that looks like it may have held talismentic items or something in the past.
One thing I find peculiar is that both the face on the hilt and the carving od the flower on the scabbard are VERY reminiscent of childhood drawings as might be found on a refrigerator by proud parents of a five or 6 year old.
The scabbard is two pieces of a light, dark colored wood that are pierced and held together with old wire.
The entire piece appears to have substantial age to it.
If I missed anything, don't hesitate to ask.

Lew · 14th February 2005, 10:46 PM

Hi Guy

Nice to see that you are back! My opinion is that is of Philippine origin. The animal head hilt seems to be either some kind of horse or dog's head?

Lew

Ian · 14th February 2005, 11:16 PM

Good to see you here again.

I agree with Lew, looks Philippinish but hard to pin point quite where.

Conogre · 14th February 2005, 11:32 PM

That's what I thought when I bought it, but upon close inspection it's unlike anything else I've seen from the region, with the blade actually resembling the Mandayan sword that I have more than anything else, but in all other aspects it's another "oddball" that doesn't seem to truly fit any particular designation.

tom hyle · 15th February 2005, 02:12 AM

Other than the sperm whale tip, the blade resembles a mainland SE Asian arit or mak. The 3 ferule bands on the handles are also reminiscent of that type.

Conogre · 15th February 2005, 04:06 AM

!!

Conogre · 15th February 2005, 04:09 AM

Hi Tom.....I'm fairly certain this definitely isn't in the rice chopping family, being one of the heaviest pieces of all of the Philippine pieces that I have, weighing in at 2 1/4 lbs., even heavier than most klewangs.
It has a large chip out of the front of the cutting edge of the blade ( a full inch long), and of all of the times I've seen the comment "...as if blocked by a rifle barrel", this is the first time that that thought actually occurred to me.
This is also the only piece I've seen with an intentionally hollow hilt....I like the "sperm whale" comment!**grin**.
It actually reminds me of Cecil the Sea Serpent of "Beany and Cecil" fame from long ago.

zelbone · 16th February 2005, 05:05 PM

This could possibly be an Espading...used primarily to cut sugar cane or a rehilted tabas.

14th February 2005, 10:29 PM	#1
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Klewang/Bolo ID Assist? Since I'm back, I just happen to have picked up several that have me a bit stumped and thought I'd ask you gentlemen for some assistance and opinions on. This one has an overall length of 20 1/2", an unusual 14 1/4" curved blade that's hand forged and 5/16ths of an inch thick where it enters the hilt. The blade is tanged and pinned into a dark wooden hilt that's split open for 3/4 of it's length and wrapped with 3 thick copper bands. The pommel end is in the form of a simple animal face that's inset with two copper eyes and a copper mouth and has an opening in the top of the head that looks like it may have held talismentic items or something in the past. One thing I find peculiar is that both the face on the hilt and the carving od the flower on the scabbard are VERY reminiscent of childhood drawings as might be found on a refrigerator by proud parents of a five or 6 year old. The scabbard is two pieces of a light, dark colored wood that are pierced and held together with old wire. The entire piece appears to have substantial age to it. If I missed anything, don't hesitate to ask. Attached Images

14th February 2005, 11:16 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	Welcome back Mike! Good to see you here again. I agree with Lew, looks Philippinish but hard to pin point quite where.

15th February 2005, 04:06 AM	#6
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	!! Last edited by Conogre; 15th February 2005 at 04:11 AM. Reason: accidental double post

14th February 2005, 10:46 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Guy Nice to see that you are back! My opinion is that is of Philippine origin. The animal head hilt seems to be either some kind of horse or dog's head? Lew

14th February 2005, 11:32 PM	#4
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	That's what I thought when I bought it, but upon close inspection it's unlike anything else I've seen from the region, with the blade actually resembling the Mandayan sword that I have more than anything else, but in all other aspects it's another "oddball" that doesn't seem to truly fit any particular designation.

15th February 2005, 02:12 AM	#5
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Other than the sperm whale tip, the blade resembles a mainland SE Asian arit or mak. The 3 ferule bands on the handles are also reminiscent of that type.

15th February 2005, 04:09 AM	#7
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Hi Tom.....I'm fairly certain this definitely isn't in the rice chopping family, being one of the heaviest pieces of all of the Philippine pieces that I have, weighing in at 2 1/4 lbs., even heavier than most klewangs. It has a large chip out of the front of the cutting edge of the blade ( a full inch long), and of all of the times I've seen the comment "...as if blocked by a rifle barrel", this is the first time that that thought actually occurred to me. This is also the only piece I've seen with an intentionally hollow hilt....I like the "sperm whale" comment!grin. It actually reminds me of Cecil the Sea Serpent of "Beany and Cecil" fame from long ago.

16th February 2005, 05:05 PM	#8
zelbone Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: VISAYAS and MINDANAO Posts: 169	This could possibly be an Espading...used primarily to cut sugar cane or a rehilted tabas.