Can anyone help me identify this dagger from Philippines

Robert · 13th February 2015, 09:10 PM

Hello Dark379, I have always been interested in these copper and brass bladed Philippine knives/daggers. I even have a small collection of them myself that I try to add to as often as possible, but due to their rarity it is not often that I am able to. I find your example most interesting in that it not only has a full tang, but that the slab hilt plates are being held in place by two copper rivets. Then on top of all that the plates are carved in the shape of a mans torso with a full face. I have also heard (as David has pointed out earlier) that copper or brass blades were sometimes used to strike at subjects that are supposedly magically protected against attacks by iron and that the wounds that were made by these blades would not heal, but instead would become infected thus leading to the eventual death of the victim of the attack. I am wondering if the fact that your dagger has the face of a individual carved onto the hilt that it might have been made for an attack on a specific person? Like I said, a very interesting dagger.

Best,
Robert

dark379 · 14th February 2015, 01:27 AM

Hi Mr. Robert first of all thank you for the application and information, and im glad to hear that you also collect Philippine copper / brass dagger & knife. Ya i rarely see antique daggers made from copper or brass here in Philippines. About the dagger, ya it has a copper rivets on it with a human image handle, which i also find it interesting and mysterious (in it's use). I also agree to Mr. David and you about the "used to strike at subjects that are supposedly magically protected against attacks by iron" and now i have an idea already for it's use. I check the dagger's tip edge, it's sharp that can use for stabbing someone. Ya there might be a chance that you're correct about the use of the face on the dagger, or there are some ritual done before using it. Ya a very interesting and mysterious dagger....Thank you again Mr. Robert

Robert · 14th February 2015, 03:02 AM

For comparison, here are a few of the items in my Philippine copper and brass dagger collection.

Best,
Robert

Sajen · 14th February 2015, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

For comparison, here are a few of the items in my Philippine copper and brass dagger collection.

Best,
Robert

Hello Robert,
very nice collection of this rare Luzon daggers.

Regards,
Detlef

dark379 · 14th February 2015, 06:02 PM

Hi again Mr. Robert a nice collection... cool.... Like it

, those daggers have some resemblance to my dagger.

Thank you for sharing those dagger, love it.

dark379 · 14th February 2015, 06:03 PM

ok noted Detlef ...

Thank you

Robert · 14th February 2015, 07:45 PM

Detlef and Dark379, Thank you both for your kind words about my daggers. I really like these even though they seem to be getting harder to locate these days.

Dark379m, there is no need to address me as Mr either, Robert will do just fine.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

Best,
Robert

dark379 · 15th February 2015, 04:10 PM

Thank you for the warm welcome Robert.

Sure ill just call u Robert .

Thank you again for sharing your collection...Nice find

14th February 2015, 03:02 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	For comparison, here are a few of the items in my Philippine copper and brass dagger collection. Best, Robert Attached Images

13th February 2015, 09:10 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Dark379, I have always been interested in these copper and brass bladed Philippine knives/daggers. I even have a small collection of them myself that I try to add to as often as possible, but due to their rarity it is not often that I am able to. I find your example most interesting in that it not only has a full tang, but that the slab hilt plates are being held in place by two copper rivets. Then on top of all that the plates are carved in the shape of a mans torso with a full face. I have also heard (as David has pointed out earlier) that copper or brass blades were sometimes used to strike at subjects that are supposedly magically protected against attacks by iron and that the wounds that were made by these blades would not heal, but instead would become infected thus leading to the eventual death of the victim of the attack. I am wondering if the fact that your dagger has the face of a individual carved onto the hilt that it might have been made for an attack on a specific person? Like I said, a very interesting dagger. Best, Robert

14th February 2015, 01:27 AM	#2
dark379 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 16	Hi Mr. Robert first of all thank you for the application and information, and im glad to hear that you also collect Philippine copper / brass dagger & knife. Ya i rarely see antique daggers made from copper or brass here in Philippines. About the dagger, ya it has a copper rivets on it with a human image handle, which i also find it interesting and mysterious (in it's use). I also agree to Mr. David and you about the "used to strike at subjects that are supposedly magically protected against attacks by iron" and now i have an idea already for it's use. I check the dagger's tip edge, it's sharp that can use for stabbing someone. Ya there might be a chance that you're correct about the use of the face on the dagger, or there are some ritual done before using it. Ya a very interesting and mysterious dagger....Thank you again Mr. Robert

14th February 2015, 06:02 PM	#5
dark379 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 16	Hi again Mr. Robert a nice collection... cool.... Like it , those daggers have some resemblance to my dagger. Thank you for sharing those dagger, love it.

14th February 2015, 06:03 PM	#6
dark379 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 16	ok noted Detlef ... Thank you

14th February 2015, 07:45 PM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Detlef and Dark379, Thank you both for your kind words about my daggers. I really like these even though they seem to be getting harder to locate these days. Dark379m, there is no need to address me as Mr either, Robert will do just fine. By the way, welcome to the forum. Best, Robert

15th February 2015, 04:10 PM	#8
dark379 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 16	Thank you for the warm welcome Robert. Sure ill just call u Robert . Thank you again for sharing your collection...Nice find