A Luzon bowie style knife for comment

Sajen · 26th April 2026, 11:34 AM

I own this nice bowie style knife from Luzon. Handle from horn with silver mounts, the blade is nicely engraved. Would like to know exactly from which area of Luzon it's coming. 32,7 cm long, blade 19,7 cm, bolster behind the handle is 5 mm thick. All comments are very welcome.

Ian · 26th April 2026, 02:28 PM

Hi Detlef,

Nice clipped-point knife with small ricasso. I suspect this is from the Spanish Colonial period, maybe last quarter of 19th C. Most likely from Luzon, with the full-length tang peined over a small ball pommel. Probably made locally, in or around Manila. I don't see any distinguishing features that would pinpoint its site of manufacture more precisely. Maybe some of our Filipino members can give you a more accurate answer.

Nice knife. Congratulations!

Regards, Ian.

Sajen · 26th April 2026, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Nice clipped-point knife with small ricasso. I suspect this is from the Spanish Colonial period, maybe last quarter of 19th C. Most likely from Luzon, with the full-length tang peined over a small ball pommel. Probably made locally, in or around Manila. I don't see any distinguishing features that would pinpoint its site of manufacture more precisely. Maybe some of our Filipino members can give you a more accurate answer.

Nice knife. Congratulations!

Thank you Ian!

Sajen · 26th April 2026, 04:33 PM

Raymundo told me via facebook that he thinks that the knife is coming from Ilocos or Pangasinan and he is pretty sure that it's from the First Republic area.

Ian · 26th April 2026, 07:15 PM

I happily defer to Ray's opinion. The First Republic produced some lovely knives, made by local craftsmen who were skilled in the Spanish Colonial traditions of knife making. Not surprising to see this knife attributed to the end of the 19th C or first few years of the 20th C.

RobT · 27th April 2026, 04:09 AM

Hi All,

I just started a thread about a dagger on the European Armory forum that has a hilt very similar to Sajen's Bowie. My dagger looks very much like an Italian vendetta knife. I would appreciate it if forum members could take a look at my post and comment.

Sincerely,
RobT

26th April 2026, 11:34 AM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,735	A Luzon bowie style knife for comment I own this nice bowie style knife from Luzon. Handle from horn with silver mounts, the blade is nicely engraved. Would like to know exactly from which area of Luzon it's coming. 32,7 cm long, blade 19,7 cm, bolster behind the handle is 5 mm thick. All comments are very welcome. Attached Images

27th April 2026, 04:09 AM	#6
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 644	Relevant European Armory Post Hi All, I just started a thread about a dagger on the European Armory forum that has a hilt very similar to Sajen's Bowie. My dagger looks very much like an Italian vendetta knife. I would appreciate it if forum members could take a look at my post and comment. Sincerely, RobT

26th April 2026, 02:28 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,710	Hi Detlef, Nice clipped-point knife with small ricasso. I suspect this is from the Spanish Colonial period, maybe last quarter of 19th C. Most likely from Luzon, with the full-length tang peined over a small ball pommel. Probably made locally, in or around Manila. I don't see any distinguishing features that would pinpoint its site of manufacture more precisely. Maybe some of our Filipino members can give you a more accurate answer. Nice knife. Congratulations! Regards, Ian.

26th April 2026, 04:33 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,735	Raymundo told me via facebook that he thinks that the knife is coming from Ilocos or Pangasinan and he is pretty sure that it's from the First Republic area.

26th April 2026, 07:15 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,710	I happily defer to Ray's opinion. The First Republic produced some lovely knives, made by local craftsmen who were skilled in the Spanish Colonial traditions of knife making. Not surprising to see this knife attributed to the end of the 19th C or first few years of the 20th C.