Igorot Utility Knife

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Nonoy Tan

Hi Detlef, the hinalun and hinalung/hinalong refer to the same weapon. "Hinalun" is Batad Ifugao while "Hinalung/Hinalong" is Kiangan Ifugao. The root word is "Halong" which means socket.

Similarly, "Outtiwon" (Batad) is also "Kotiwong" (Kiangan). Merely, variations in pronunciation really.

The single-edged bolo is an "otak" (a somewhat generic term). I have read the word "Pinahig" used in this forum quite often, and have used the word myself. However, I do not know where the word "Pinahig" comes from and unable to determine if that is accurate.

Hi Nonoy,

thank you very much for clarification and the very interesting insights you have given about the different names and as well the different names in the both Ifugao dialects. I am sure that this wasn't for me alone very interesting.

So you would call my small knife "otak" also like this when it is small like this (28 cm) when I understand you correct.

Best,

Detlef

[CourseEight]

I'm a bit late to the party, but here's a picture of mine, also very similar. It's quite sharp

[Robert]

CourseEight, Thank you and everyone else for sharing your very nice examples. I still find it hard to believe that so many of the forum members have examples of these knives in their collections and yet the one that I originally posted was the first one that I had seen. Now that it has arrived I can post a few photos of it after a little cleaning an waxing. Sorry about the quality of these but as usual it is raining here.

Best,
Robert

[Sajen]

The pictures are very ok and show that it is a very nice knife and was in use for some good time. Good maintaining job you have done.