Bicol dagger for comment

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Robert

I have to agree with Detlef on this piece being from Bicol...

One of the biggest problems is one that Detlef has tried to point out. What do the different types of traditional Bicol edged weapons look like, how many styles are there and where do you find references to them?

Best,
Robert

Robert:

Surely you are contradicting yourself here. If there is no reliable evidence as to what the different types of traditional Bicol edged weapons look like, and no known references to them, how can one be confident that this knife is indeed from Bicol?

I have gone back to the threads referenced by Detlef, and there really is no solid evidence for any of the swords that he shows being from Bicol. The terms minasbad, sinampalok, and dinahong-palay also appear to have no firm basis.

The absence of clear data is a persistent problem, but I think we need to be careful to avoid making assertions that are not based on solid documentation or reliable sources. Otherwise we add to the existing confusion.

Cheers,

Ian.