Happy 250th Independence Day, Luzon Sword, Do You Like Hamon?

Bob A · 5th July 2026, 04:25 PM

That's a very handsome sword. Do you have any pictures of it before the polishing? I'm intrigued by the differential hardening, and I wonder when it might have been forged. (Retention of the damage to the spine seems worth the effort is must have taken you, IMO).

Do you have any information regarding its history?

And thank you for your kind wishes for Independence Day!

francantolin · 5th July 2026, 06:40 PM

Happy 250th Independence Day, 👍👍

Roland_M · 5th July 2026, 11:17 PM

Hello Bob,

I do have a picture in untouched condition, but unfortunately I have no idea, where it is. If I find it, I will post it. All I know about the history is from the incorrect description by the auction house. Judged by the totally dried out condition of the sheath, I would say at least 100 years old. An incredible amount of expensive almond oil was aborbed by that sheath until it was usable again. Cold pressed sweet almond oil is ideal for such tasks. Wood likes it too. It would fit fine into the Philippine independence war against Spain.

I was very surprised to find that very well made differential hardening. To make such an edge with such a strong gradient (edge has around 60 Rockwell) without cracks is extraordinary difficult. This is due to the fact, that hardened steel got a bigger volume than softer steel and by thus creating enormous tensions in the blade.

Battara · 6th July 2026, 01:51 AM

The hilt looks like albino carabao horn.

Nice piece.

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5th July 2026, 04:25 PM	#1
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 471	That's a very handsome sword. Do you have any pictures of it before the polishing? I'm intrigued by the differential hardening, and I wonder when it might have been forged. (Retention of the damage to the spine seems worth the effort is must have taken you, IMO). Do you have any information regarding its history? And thank you for your kind wishes for Independence Day!

5th July 2026, 06:40 PM	#2
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 973	Happy 250th Independence Day, 👍👍

5th July 2026, 11:17 PM	#3
Roland_M Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 528	Hello Bob, I do have a picture in untouched condition, but unfortunately I have no idea, where it is. If I find it, I will post it. All I know about the history is from the incorrect description by the auction house. Judged by the totally dried out condition of the sheath, I would say at least 100 years old. An incredible amount of expensive almond oil was aborbed by that sheath until it was usable again. Cold pressed sweet almond oil is ideal for such tasks. Wood likes it too. It would fit fine into the Philippine independence war against Spain. I was very surprised to find that very well made differential hardening. To make such an edge with such a strong gradient (edge has around 60 Rockwell) without cracks is extraordinary difficult. This is due to the fact, that hardened steel got a bigger volume than softer steel and by thus creating enormous tensions in the blade.

6th July 2026, 01:51 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,412	The hilt looks like albino carabao horn. Nice piece.