Luzon bolo

JeffS · 22nd March 2023, 02:57 AM

Here is one I'm hoping to learn more about. Unfortunately, it had been badly mauled by a grinder but I managed to polish it out. Reviewing posts here the best I could come up with is central Luzon for location. The brass work is very heavy.

Ian · 22nd March 2023, 05:55 AM

Hi Jeff,

Very nice knife. We need our friend Xasterix to help with a definitive ID on this one. Xas has been studying Luzon swords closely for a while and has the advantage of being able to speak with local informants, which has greatly enhanced our knowledge of these blades.

While waiting for him to reply, I'll give this one a shot. Judging from the black leather sheath with a brass chape and collar, I think this one comes from Ilocos Sur or perhaps Pangasinan. This indicates it would be Ilokano in manufacture. That fits with the brass guard and brass ferrules on the horn hilt. I don't know the Ilokano term for the blade style. It's a fairly common pattern and found among various groups in Luzon, with names varying by group.

Tagalog knives of similar form are also found, but I'm suggesting an Ilokano origin based mainly on the sheath. The heavy brass fittings suggest to me that it was likely made pre-WWII.

JeffS · 22nd March 2023, 12:21 PM

Detail on peen and reverse of scabbard.

JeffS · 23rd March 2023, 01:28 PM

Someone off-forum suggested it is likely Pampanga.

Ian · 23rd March 2023, 03:33 PM

Hi Jeff,

The Province of Pampanga is immediately to the south of Pangasinan, and there are Ilokano craftsmen in Pampanga also. Is your informant saying that this is a Kapangan knife or an Ilokano knife made in Pampanga? This has been a matter of some debate among Filipino knife enthusiasts in regard to several blade styles. It depends who you talk to. The manner of peining the tang is similar to some knives from Pampanga, but I have what I think are Ilokano knives with similar attachments too.

The black leather sheath with brass fittings, however, looks Ilokano to me and I think would be very unusual for Pampanga.

However, we are talking about fine details in terms of the origin of your knife. Ilokanos and Kapangans intermingle in Central Luzon, and that is the overall area from which this knife likely came.

xasterix · 25th March 2023, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Jeff,

The Province of Pampanga is immediately to the south of Pangasinan, and there are Ilokano craftsmen in Pampanga also. Is your informant saying that this is a Kapangan knife or an Ilokano knife made in Pampanga? This has been a matter of some debate among Filipino knife enthusiasts in regard to several blade styles. It depends who you talk to. The manner of peining the tang is similar to some knives from Pampanga, but I have what I think are Ilokano knives with similar attachments too.

The black leather sheath with brass fittings, however, looks Ilokano to me and I think would be very unusual for Pampanga.

However, we are talking about fine details in terms of the origin of your knife. Ilokanos and Kapangans intermingle in Central Luzon, and that is the overall area from which this knife likely came.

You're absolutely right regarding the interplay. I would think there's a good chance it's indeed pampanga because of the threaded+ peen combo. The scabbard is tricky, but the Apalit craftsmen have been known to copy scabbards from other areas.

22nd March 2023, 02:57 AM	#1
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 345	Luzon bolo Here is one I'm hoping to learn more about. Unfortunately, it had been badly mauled by a grinder but I managed to polish it out. Reviewing posts here the best I could come up with is central Luzon for location. The brass work is very heavy. Attached Images

22nd March 2023, 12:21 PM	#3
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 345	Detail on peen and reverse of scabbard. Attached Images

22nd March 2023, 05:55 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	Hi Jeff, Very nice knife. We need our friend Xasterix to help with a definitive ID on this one. Xas has been studying Luzon swords closely for a while and has the advantage of being able to speak with local informants, which has greatly enhanced our knowledge of these blades. While waiting for him to reply, I'll give this one a shot. Judging from the black leather sheath with a brass chape and collar, I think this one comes from Ilocos Sur or perhaps Pangasinan. This indicates it would be Ilokano in manufacture. That fits with the brass guard and brass ferrules on the horn hilt. I don't know the Ilokano term for the blade style. It's a fairly common pattern and found among various groups in Luzon, with names varying by group. Tagalog knives of similar form are also found, but I'm suggesting an Ilokano origin based mainly on the sheath. The heavy brass fittings suggest to me that it was likely made pre-WWII.

23rd March 2023, 01:28 PM	#4
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 345	Someone off-forum suggested it is likely Pampanga.

23rd March 2023, 03:33 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	Hi Jeff, The Province of Pampanga is immediately to the south of Pangasinan, and there are Ilokano craftsmen in Pampanga also. Is your informant saying that this is a Kapangan knife or an Ilokano knife made in Pampanga? This has been a matter of some debate among Filipino knife enthusiasts in regard to several blade styles. It depends who you talk to. The manner of peining the tang is similar to some knives from Pampanga, but I have what I think are Ilokano knives with similar attachments too. The black leather sheath with brass fittings, however, looks Ilokano to me and I think would be very unusual for Pampanga. However, we are talking about fine details in terms of the origin of your knife. Ilokanos and Kapangans intermingle in Central Luzon, and that is the overall area from which this knife likely came.