Ilocano Knives (Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines)

Ian · 6th June 2018, 03:24 AM

Hi Rick.

Yes, I think so. The blade form is consistent, with a "peaked" clip to the spine and a small "bulge" on the cutting edge just in front of the guard--both highly suggestive of Ilocano work. The multifaceted brass ferrule with small brass guard is also in keeping, while the horn hilt with a groove for the little finger is typical of Ilocano work. The carved pommel is an uncommon variant IMHO, but the peined tang is very common. The thick leather sheath with a "rondel" at the throat is also a fairly common Ilocano style.

While few of these features are purely Ilocano in form, it checks all the boxes for me as Ilocano in origin.

Ian.

Addendum: In thinking about your pommel, I was reminded of a thread a while back where a similar pommel was discussed and the suggestion was made that it may represent a porobiscis monkey--see here.

Ian · 6th June 2018, 03:29 AM

Hi Fernando:

The five-pointed star was a common military emblem of the First Republic. Whether weapons bearing this emblem are from that brief period, or were made later and are commemorative of that period, is hard to say without some provenance. That said, your example is remarkably similar to the dated one and could have been made by the same person--even the leather tooling is identical.

Ian.

Rick · 6th June 2018, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Rick.
Addendum: In thinking about your pommel, I was reminded of a thread a while back where a similar pommel was discussed and the suggestion was made that it may represent a porobiscis monkey--see here.

Well, I always wondered if it was American influenced from this character born in 1936:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_the_Jeep

One never knows..

Ian · 6th June 2018, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

... One never knows..

Exactly

6th June 2018, 03:24 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Hi Rick. Yes, I think so. The blade form is consistent, with a "peaked" clip to the spine and a small "bulge" on the cutting edge just in front of the guard--both highly suggestive of Ilocano work. The multifaceted brass ferrule with small brass guard is also in keeping, while the horn hilt with a groove for the little finger is typical of Ilocano work. The carved pommel is an uncommon variant IMHO, but the peined tang is very common. The thick leather sheath with a "rondel" at the throat is also a fairly common Ilocano style. While few of these features are purely Ilocano in form, it checks all the boxes for me as Ilocano in origin. Ian. Addendum: In thinking about your pommel, I was reminded of a thread a while back where a similar pommel was discussed and the suggestion was made that it may represent a porobiscis monkey--see here. Last edited by Ian; 6th June 2018 at 03:35 AM. Reason: Added link to another thread

6th June 2018, 03:29 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Hi Fernando: The five-pointed star was a common military emblem of the First Republic. Whether weapons bearing this emblem are from that brief period, or were made later and are commemorative of that period, is hard to say without some provenance. That said, your example is remarkably similar to the dated one and could have been made by the same person--even the leather tooling is identical. Ian.