Can't place this bolo

[JeffS]

I just won this bolo on Ebay. Despite heavily searching on this forum I can't determine which Philippine tribal group this originated from. Thoughts?

[Ian]

Jeff, is the bolo full tang or hidden tang? Hard to tell from the pics.

[JeffS]

Originally Posted by Ian

Jeff, is the bolo full tang or hidden tang? Hard to tell from the pics.

Yes, hard to tell on the Ebay photos but I suspect hidden. A protruding tang would likely show up on this photo angle.

[Rafngard]

I think it's from Pangasinan.

I have this blade, which I'm told is called a "pangaw-at" with similar hilt and scabbard, that I'm told is from Pangasinan. Mine has peened tang (and a carabao horn hilt, as is typical for Luzon) and I suspect yours does too.

Also I think I can see teeny bit of the tang in your last photo.

Thanks,
Leif

[JeffS]

Looks like you nailed it. With better screen I can see the blurred peened tang on the last photo I posted. Thank you.

[Ian]

Jeff,

Thanks for posting that additional picture. Yes, there does appear to be a full tang construction.

This type of bolo is a very useful design and is found quite widely in Tagalog and Ilokano areas, and perhaps elsewhere. I have seen it widely in Central Luzon, the Metro Manila area and south of there. I have also seen it on the island of Mindoro and in northern Palawan. These are mainly Tagalog areas. It's a very useful tool.

I asked another member here for his thoughts about the origins of your particular knife, and he noted:

I've seen that bolo pop up in several places—in Cavite, in Bataan, in Mindoro, ... and even as far as Bicol and Masbate. It's a recurring design, and very useful for utility purposes.

Based on the scabbard, Leif seems to have identified your item's geographic origin in Pangasinan, which would probably make it an Ilokano knife.

[JeffS]

Cool. I've seen photos of this blade profile on this site and other web searches but they often feauture leather scabbards and brass ferules, this one felt stylistically different with the round (iron?) ferule and wooden scabbard. Philippine ethnographic weaponry with all the geographic, cultural and historical complexity is a lot to try to get one's head around!

[JeffS]

In case of interest. Another example with same scabbard design

[Ian]

Originally Posted by JeffS

In case of interest. Another example with same scabbard design

Thanks Jeff. I added a note in that old thread to bring it back up and link it to your knife. Good catch. You must have searched through a lot of threads to get back that far.