Items For ID Help

Robert · 20th June 2013, 06:07 PM

RhysMichael and Kai, Yes the blade is chisel ground and as you both state it does have a very traditional style of Visayan hilt. The blade shape is what I find unusual as it has more of a bangkung or parang look instead of what you would expect to see on a Visayan bolo.

RhysMichael, you say that the smaller one might be a cayul

as I cannot seem to find any reference to that name could you please elaborate? Thank you both for your help on these items.

Best,
Robert

Robert · 21st June 2013, 06:50 AM

RhysMichael, I finally found a reference to a cayul in Albert's "Traditional Weapons Of The Indonesian Archipelago" on page 39. The description does fit this odd looking piece but there is only a drawing of one example with no photo. The description reads " Cayul Java A machete, used as an agricultural tool. The cayul has a short, broad blade with a convex sharp side and a slightly concave back. Its point is rounded, its hilt quite long." Does anyone happen to have a photo of one of these items that has been identified that they could post for comparison?

Best,
Robert

RhysMichael · 21st June 2013, 04:32 PM

That is the only reference I know of for it. I do not have any photos but will look for some. It definitely looks like a farming implement to me

Robert · 21st June 2013, 06:02 PM

Yes, I totally agree that this is a farming implement. I am just trying to get a positive ID on this piece as I have never seen one like it. Thank you for your help and hopefully more photos can be found.

Best,
Robert

Robert · 23rd June 2013, 07:54 AM

These two items showed up today and the blades on both are in very good condition. The finely laminated blade on the Visayan piece (other than a few small chips in the cutting edge) seems to have possibly been re-hilted at some point as it seems much to well made for such a crude hilt. I will post more photos after I have had a chance to give it a light cleaning and possibly an etch.

The cayul

has a rather bad split in the hilt but other than that is in fair condition. The way the blade it secured into the hilt is a bit different from what I normally see. It uses a steel collar that fits around the tang and is then driven into the hilt to form a tight fit. I have only seen this style of attachment on one other piece, a Philippine bolo. I will also post better photos of the blade attachment of both the cayul and the bolo later but for the meantime here is on of the auction photos.

Best,
Robert

23rd June 2013, 07:54 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	These two items showed up today and the blades on both are in very good condition. The finely laminated blade on the Visayan piece (other than a few small chips in the cutting edge) seems to have possibly been re-hilted at some point as it seems much to well made for such a crude hilt. I will post more photos after I have had a chance to give it a light cleaning and possibly an etch. The cayul has a rather bad split in the hilt but other than that is in fair condition. The way the blade it secured into the hilt is a bit different from what I normally see. It uses a steel collar that fits around the tang and is then driven into the hilt to form a tight fit. I have only seen this style of attachment on one other piece, a Philippine bolo. I will also post better photos of the blade attachment of both the cayul and the bolo later but for the meantime here is on of the auction photos. Best, Robert Attached Images

20th June 2013, 06:07 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	RhysMichael and Kai, Yes the blade is chisel ground and as you both state it does have a very traditional style of Visayan hilt. The blade shape is what I find unusual as it has more of a bangkung or parang look instead of what you would expect to see on a Visayan bolo. RhysMichael, you say that the smaller one might be a cayul as I cannot seem to find any reference to that name could you please elaborate? Thank you both for your help on these items. Best, Robert

21st June 2013, 06:50 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	RhysMichael, I finally found a reference to a cayul in Albert's "Traditional Weapons Of The Indonesian Archipelago" on page 39. The description does fit this odd looking piece but there is only a drawing of one example with no photo. The description reads " Cayul Java A machete, used as an agricultural tool. The cayul has a short, broad blade with a convex sharp side and a slightly concave back. Its point is rounded, its hilt quite long." Does anyone happen to have a photo of one of these items that has been identified that they could post for comparison? Best, Robert

21st June 2013, 04:32 PM	#3
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	That is the only reference I know of for it. I do not have any photos but will look for some. It definitely looks like a farming implement to me

21st June 2013, 06:02 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Yes, I totally agree that this is a farming implement. I am just trying to get a positive ID on this piece as I have never seen one like it. Thank you for your help and hopefully more photos can be found. Best, Robert