Bicol dagger for comment

Sajen · 31st December 2014, 12:17 AM

Thank you Ian for the further remarks. I am not sure to which entent this will be helpful since the terms "sinampalok" and "dinahong palay" maybe Bicolano terms.

Of course I am aware that Tagalog and Bicolano relative languages but it could be that a translation will be different.

Both terms was given in the thread you mentioned in your last post from Bangkaya like followed:
Though are a number of variations of blade style in Bicol, there are basically 4 prevalent types:

Minasbad
Dinahong-palay
Ginunting
Sinampalok

This was all explained to me by a panday from Tabaco, Albay in Bicol. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take photos since I left my camera at my friends house (we were in search of pili nuts and just happened to run into the panday.) Most of the swords pictured on this thread are sinampalok or dinahong-palay (dahon palay in tagalog=rice leaf.) The minasbad is the long sword sometimes with an elaborate guard. The ginunting has a blade that is recurved but not hooked down like the modern Ilonggo or Marine Recon ginunting. The dinahong-palay and sinampalok are similar, however, the blade on the sinampalok tapers towards the hilt where the dinahong-palay maintains a constant width then abrubtly tapers usually with a hook like projection or goosenecks to the ricasso (much like a tinamban sansibar from Leyte.) As for the figural carving, he described this type seen on this thread as inaso or aso (dog) faced carving. The other figural style is called sawa which I believe is more of a crocodile or naga form.

And the term "sinampalok" was given to me also from Zel in the same thread by email like followed:
The type you have is I believed called a sinampalok....I don't have my notes with me right now. Sinampalok is term also used elsewhere in Luzon, but I've heard referred to this blade type in Bicol. I wouldn't get too hung up with the exact name of the blade type. There are hundreds of different blade types in the Philippines and the same blade can have different names even in the same region. What's important is that it's from Bicol...but it's not a minasbad.

Now, when you have a look to the shown sword in post #16, same thread, it has the same blade shape like from two of my swords from my other thread regarding Bicol blades/swords.

Now you will understand maybe better why I believe that my swords from Bicol as well.

That my dagger in question could be a Bicol dagger I based in fact only by the handle carving (inaso) which seems to be very typical for Bicol, look for example the ear carving. All seems by this dagger originally long together thus I believe it was worked there. Of course it seems to be a atypical blade form, maybe worked on request or with a recycled US blade, who knows?

Regards,
Detlef

PS: Just see by rereading that Bangkaya give the same translation for dahon palay like you!

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31st December 2014, 12:17 AM	#20
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,272	Thank you Ian for the further remarks. I am not sure to which entent this will be helpful since the terms "sinampalok" and "dinahong palay" maybe Bicolano terms. Of course I am aware that Tagalog and Bicolano relative languages but it could be that a translation will be different. Both terms was given in the thread you mentioned in your last post from Bangkaya like followed: Though are a number of variations of blade style in Bicol, there are basically 4 prevalent types: Minasbad Dinahong-palay Ginunting Sinampalok This was all explained to me by a panday from Tabaco, Albay in Bicol. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take photos since I left my camera at my friends house (we were in search of pili nuts and just happened to run into the panday.) Most of the swords pictured on this thread are sinampalok or dinahong-palay (dahon palay in tagalog=rice leaf.) The minasbad is the long sword sometimes with an elaborate guard. The ginunting has a blade that is recurved but not hooked down like the modern Ilonggo or Marine Recon ginunting. The dinahong-palay and sinampalok are similar, however, the blade on the sinampalok tapers towards the hilt where the dinahong-palay maintains a constant width then abrubtly tapers usually with a hook like projection or goosenecks to the ricasso (much like a tinamban sansibar from Leyte.) As for the figural carving, he described this type seen on this thread as inaso or aso (dog) faced carving. The other figural style is called sawa which I believe is more of a crocodile or naga form. And the term "sinampalok" was given to me also from Zel in the same thread by email like followed: The type you have is I believed called a sinampalok....I don't have my notes with me right now. Sinampalok is term also used elsewhere in Luzon, but I've heard referred to this blade type in Bicol. I wouldn't get too hung up with the exact name of the blade type. There are hundreds of different blade types in the Philippines and the same blade can have different names even in the same region. What's important is that it's from Bicol...but it's not a minasbad. Now, when you have a look to the shown sword in post #16, same thread, it has the same blade shape like from two of my swords from my other thread regarding Bicol blades/swords. Now you will understand maybe better why I believe that my swords from Bicol as well. That my dagger in question could be a Bicol dagger I based in fact only by the handle carving (inaso) which seems to be very typical for Bicol, look for example the ear carving. All seems by this dagger originally long together thus I believe it was worked there. Of course it seems to be a atypical blade form, maybe worked on request or with a recycled US blade, who knows? Regards, Detlef PS: Just see by rereading that Bangkaya give the same translation for dahon palay like you!