Kris in Hawaii

sheslittletex · 31st October 2016, 05:45 AM

Does it appear that these may have been hand forged, possibly after the Filipino immigrants arrived in Hawaii, using whatever the could find. I say this because I noticed that the Gunongs seem to mostly have a curved pommel (not sure if that is the right term) and the two in our collection are very straight and crude looking.

Battara · 31st October 2016, 06:29 PM

You are quite welcome. You may have to do an interlibrary loan for Cato's book. It is out of print and had limited copies made. Also , Cato's book is missing some things that are also mentioned on this forum, like gunongs, other blade forms, etc.

You will find a lot of information on this forum that exists perhaps no where else in past threads.

What I gave you is only a bare start. Good hunting.

VANDOO · 31st October 2016, 11:16 PM

THIS GRADE OF EDGED WEAPON WAS NO DOUBT COMMON IN THE PHILIPPINES AND CARRIED BY THOSE WITH LITTLE MONEY AS A WORK KNIFE AND WEAPON. WE SELDOM SEE THEM ON THE FORUM BECAUSE COLLECTORS WANT THE BETTER GRADE WEAPONS WITH ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES. THE SMALL ONE WITH THE WAVY BLADE WAS LIKELY FOR PROTECTION NOT WORK AND I WOULD CLASSIFY IT AS A GUNONG AKA PUNAL. THE LARGER ONE IS LIKELY A FORM OF MATULIS . I HAVE SEEN A FEW PHILIPPINE KNIVES AND SWORDS OF THIS SIMPLE QUALITY OVER THE YEARS BUT THEY ARE NOT COMMONLY COLLECTED.
NO DOUBT THESE WERE CONFISCATED BECAUSE OF SOME TROUBLE IF THE SHERIFFS RECORDS COULD BE FOUND IT MIGHT MAKE AN INTERESTING STORY. PERHAPS (THE PHILIPPINE TONG'S OF HAWAII)

#1 & #2. MATULIS
#3. CHART WITH SEVERAL PHILIPPINE EDGED WEAPONS.

sheslittletex · 31st October 2016, 11:38 PM

Thanks Vandoo. I agree, these are not even close to the shiny bells and whistle variety that collectors like. I think that will make the story even better. The sheriff records are not to be had, but Im attempting to write the story from the archaeological evidence. The immigrants here in Hawaii have quite a tale to tell and these weapons will add to it. Thanks for the info on the gunong/punal and Itak. I still think that there is a strong likelihood that they were made here, by the carrier, in a style reminiscent of his homeland. Hanging on to culture.

31st October 2016, 05:45 AM	#1
sheslittletex Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 5	Does it appear that these may have been hand forged, possibly after the Filipino immigrants arrived in Hawaii, using whatever the could find. I say this because I noticed that the Gunongs seem to mostly have a curved pommel (not sure if that is the right term) and the two in our collection are very straight and crude looking.

31st October 2016, 06:29 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	You are quite welcome. You may have to do an interlibrary loan for Cato's book. It is out of print and had limited copies made. Also , Cato's book is missing some things that are also mentioned on this forum, like gunongs, other blade forms, etc. You will find a lot of information on this forum that exists perhaps no where else in past threads. What I gave you is only a bare start. Good hunting.

31st October 2016, 11:16 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THIS GRADE OF EDGED WEAPON WAS NO DOUBT COMMON IN THE PHILIPPINES AND CARRIED BY THOSE WITH LITTLE MONEY AS A WORK KNIFE AND WEAPON. WE SELDOM SEE THEM ON THE FORUM BECAUSE COLLECTORS WANT THE BETTER GRADE WEAPONS WITH ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES. THE SMALL ONE WITH THE WAVY BLADE WAS LIKELY FOR PROTECTION NOT WORK AND I WOULD CLASSIFY IT AS A GUNONG AKA PUNAL. THE LARGER ONE IS LIKELY A FORM OF MATULIS . I HAVE SEEN A FEW PHILIPPINE KNIVES AND SWORDS OF THIS SIMPLE QUALITY OVER THE YEARS BUT THEY ARE NOT COMMONLY COLLECTED. NO DOUBT THESE WERE CONFISCATED BECAUSE OF SOME TROUBLE IF THE SHERIFFS RECORDS COULD BE FOUND IT MIGHT MAKE AN INTERESTING STORY. PERHAPS (THE PHILIPPINE TONG'S OF HAWAII) #1 & #2. MATULIS #3. CHART WITH SEVERAL PHILIPPINE EDGED WEAPONS. Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 31st October 2016 at 11:51 PM.

31st October 2016, 11:38 PM	#4
sheslittletex Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 5	Thanks Vandoo. I agree, these are not even close to the shiny bells and whistle variety that collectors like. I think that will make the story even better. The sheriff records are not to be had, but Im attempting to write the story from the archaeological evidence. The immigrants here in Hawaii have quite a tale to tell and these weapons will add to it. Thanks for the info on the gunong/punal and Itak. I still think that there is a strong likelihood that they were made here, by the carrier, in a style reminiscent of his homeland. Hanging on to culture.