Talibong, Real Or Tourist

Battara · 12th February 2011, 11:36 PM

Well, that helps Robert. The hilt and file marks appear newer to me. Yet the blade profile is older in design and certainly traditional.

These smaller ones AI believe were used more as utility pieces and for the bush.

tom hyle · 20th February 2011, 03:13 AM

dagger/knife sized talibons are common, and I suppose they'd be used as dagger/knives. This one looks pre-wwII to me and nice. Notice the blade which is both curved and narrow; bannana like; this is how the thumbrest "garab" ones are; newer blades tend more to have straightish spines. The base is thicke and wedge-shaped, no? Newer blades are thinner/flatter and even sometimes thicker at the front edge (a style I also enjoy). No thumb rest as such though, huh? the very narrow waist is a feature I consider older/more original. Looks like an older piece to me. I love the great variety in these.....

Robert · 20th February 2011, 09:46 PM

Hello Tom and thank you for your thoughts on this. Old or new I really like this small knife and it is one of the best made ones (except for the quality of the hilt) that I have seen yet. A nice thick well made blade with good lines and exceptionally sharp edge. It is too bad that the scabbard is in such damaged condition. IF I ever get it straightened out I will post a couple of pictures of it, before and after. The problem is I have so many projects ahead of it I couldn't even guess when it might be. Again my thanks for all who have shared their thoughts on this interesting little knife.

Robert

tom hyle · 19th March 2011, 02:34 AM

Any chance it has a scarf welded edge?

harimauhk · 23rd March 2011, 06:01 AM

I have two similar-sized talibongs from WWII with kamagong handles and scabbards. BTW, the filemarking on the tang is found throughout the Philippines and is believed to be an ancient symbol that is put on blades to protect their owners. As with many Visayan blades, I believe talibongs are for general use as well as for use as weapons.

Robert · 23rd March 2011, 06:18 AM

Tom, It actually does have a scarf welded edge. I guess it does not show too clearly in the pictures. It is a very well made blade.

Harimauhk, Do yours have the file work on the blade like this one?

Robert

harimauhk · 23rd March 2011, 06:21 AM

Hi Robert,

I have mine in storage--I'd have to check.

Pandays throughout the Philippines were taught to put similar markings on their blades, and many continue to do so without really knowing why. I've even seen them on balisongs! I thought they were just maker's marks until I came across a source that said they were talismanic. That might explain why similar markings are found on blades from completely different areas.

12th February 2011, 11:36 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,346	Well, that helps Robert. The hilt and file marks appear newer to me. Yet the blade profile is older in design and certainly traditional. These smaller ones AI believe were used more as utility pieces and for the bush.

20th February 2011, 03:13 AM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	dagger/knife sized talibons are common, and I suppose they'd be used as dagger/knives. This one looks pre-wwII to me and nice. Notice the blade which is both curved and narrow; bannana like; this is how the thumbrest "garab" ones are; newer blades tend more to have straightish spines. The base is thicke and wedge-shaped, no? Newer blades are thinner/flatter and even sometimes thicker at the front edge (a style I also enjoy). No thumb rest as such though, huh? the very narrow waist is a feature I consider older/more original. Looks like an older piece to me. I love the great variety in these.....

20th February 2011, 09:46 PM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Tom and thank you for your thoughts on this. Old or new I really like this small knife and it is one of the best made ones (except for the quality of the hilt) that I have seen yet. A nice thick well made blade with good lines and exceptionally sharp edge. It is too bad that the scabbard is in such damaged condition. IF I ever get it straightened out I will post a couple of pictures of it, before and after. The problem is I have so many projects ahead of it I couldn't even guess when it might be. Again my thanks for all who have shared their thoughts on this interesting little knife. Robert

19th March 2011, 02:34 AM	#4
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Any chance it has a scarf welded edge?

23rd March 2011, 06:01 AM	#5
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	I have two similar-sized talibongs from WWII with kamagong handles and scabbards. BTW, the filemarking on the tang is found throughout the Philippines and is believed to be an ancient symbol that is put on blades to protect their owners. As with many Visayan blades, I believe talibongs are for general use as well as for use as weapons.

23rd March 2011, 06:18 AM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Tom, It actually does have a scarf welded edge. I guess it does not show too clearly in the pictures. It is a very well made blade. Harimauhk, Do yours have the file work on the blade like this one? Robert

23rd March 2011, 06:21 AM	#7
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Hi Robert, I have mine in storage--I'd have to check. Pandays throughout the Philippines were taught to put similar markings on their blades, and many continue to do so without really knowing why. I've even seen them on balisongs! I thought they were just maker's marks until I came across a source that said they were talismanic. That might explain why similar markings are found on blades from completely different areas.