Klewang or a Piso?

Ian · 9th January 2026, 12:56 AM

Hi Albert,

Nice sword! Just to add to the chorus that this is likely a Luzon bolo. My only additional observation is that this one might be a variant of the San Bartolome style which dates from the late 19th C (not that this sword is necessarily of that period). There is no single style for this designation and it seems that various areas of Luzon had their own local version of that sword.

Xasterix and his Filipino colleagues seem to have the clearest ideas of where these styles and other Luzon knives/swords come from. Perhaps he can add to the specificity of the information here.

Regards, Ian

P.S. Those wall plaques of knives and swords that are usually labeled "Weapons of Moroland" were often assembled in other parts of the Philippines, including Cebu and Luzon. As a result, a variety of non-Moro weapons can be found on them, as well as non-Moro names such as "itak" (Tagalog)

9th January 2026, 12:56 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,667	Hi Albert, Nice sword! Just to add to the chorus that this is likely a Luzon bolo. My only additional observation is that this one might be a variant of the San Bartolome style which dates from the late 19th C (not that this sword is necessarily of that period). There is no single style for this designation and it seems that various areas of Luzon had their own local version of that sword. Xasterix and his Filipino colleagues seem to have the clearest ideas of where these styles and other Luzon knives/swords come from. Perhaps he can add to the specificity of the information here. Regards, Ian P.S. Those wall plaques of knives and swords that are usually labeled "Weapons of Moroland" were often assembled in other parts of the Philippines, including Cebu and Luzon. As a result, a variety of non-Moro weapons can be found on them, as well as non-Moro names such as "itak" (Tagalog)