Share your Pulahanes Talibong

xasterix · 10th November 2018, 07:15 PM

This sword is hotly debated among my blade expert friends. Did it come from Central Cebu, or Eastern Visayas? Is there still a living traditional smith who can resurrect this blade from obscurity? How many variations are there?

These questions hound this blade, yet for me it's an awesome weapon, one that can dispose of even the thickest of water bottles very cleanly (I can just imagine what it can do one's limbs or head).

In the spirit of other past threads I've read here (Show us your Barung! Show us your Bangkung!, etc) I've thought of starting this thread to give some love to this particular talibong- which I've simply labeled as 'Pulahanes' in memory of those that wielded this particular weapon in my country during the 1900s.

To start it off, here's mine. I found it ignored and rusty in an antique shop without a scabbard (I had one built to accommodate it). Estimated by a blade expert-friend to be pre-WW2. 25-inch blade with heat treatment still intact, 7-inch hilt. Forward-weighted, gathers momentum pretty fast. Got three microcracks near the tip, and heavy patina at the 'action' portion of the blade. Once sharpened, cut like a beast.

Share your talibong/s as well!

Sajen · 11th November 2018, 02:58 PM

Hello Xasterix,

there should be a lot in the collections of our members, hope they will post their examples.
Here my ones, the first two pictures show the examples I have here in Germany, a Garab and two Talibon, I guess that the big Talibon is a very rare variant, worked for a left-hander. I am a left-hander so it's my personal weapon!

The next two pictures show another Talibon, one with a horn handle, the handle binding need to get restored.
Next pictures show a rather recent addition to the collection so only seller pictures.

Regards,
Detlef

Rick · 11th November 2018, 04:48 PM

My example is deep in one of my storage chests; but here is a picture from the History of Steel exhibition at the Macao Museum of Art some years back... until I can dig it out and re-photograph it.

Rafngard · 11th November 2018, 04:53 PM

Talibong/Garab?

I might have a few.

...and also a very curious cat.

Have fun,
Leif

Spunjer · 11th November 2018, 07:50 PM

Just a couple

xasterix · 12th November 2018, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Xasterix,

there should be a lot in the collections of our members, hope they will post their examples.
Here my ones, the first two pictures show the examples I have here in Germany, a Garab and two Talibon, I guess that the big Talibon is a very rare variant, worked for a left-hander. I am a left-hander so it's my personal weapon!

The next two pictures show another Talibon, one with a horn handle, the handle binding need to get restored.
Next pictures show a rather recent addition to the collection so only seller pictures.

Regards,
Detlef

Great weapons, and I'm surprised at the belly-width of some of those talibongs! How many inches is the thickest among them?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

My example is deep in one of my storage chests; but here is a picture from the History of Steel exhibition at the Macao Museum of Art some years back... until I can dig it out and re-photograph it.

I've adored your talibong for a long time. Glad it's sleeping well!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafngard

Talibong/Garab?

I might have a few.

...and also a very curious cat.

Have fun,
Leif

You have an amazing Talibong family- really nice hilts especially!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

Just a couple

The aesthetic value of your pieces rock!

xasterix · 12th November 2018, 08:43 AM

If I may add a rejoinder- any thoughts regarding the varying belly width of talibongs? Which do you think are the older variants- thin ones or the thick ones? Or they coexisted at the same time period?

kronckew · 12th November 2018, 09:43 AM

I have a couple of 'villager' garabs and a talibong. all right hand chisel edged. All razor sharp. All from Jun Silva, from the Cebu area, latter half 20thc.

xasterix · 12th November 2018, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

I have a couple of 'villager' garabs and a talibong. all right hand chisel edged. All razor sharp. All from Jun Silva, from the Cebu area, latter half 20thc.

Thanks for buying from a Filipino artisan sir. The Silvas are still smithing blades nowadays

Sajen · 12th November 2018, 05:45 PM

[QUOTE=xasterix]Great weapons, and I'm surprised at the belly-width of some of those talibongs! How many inches is the thickest among them?/QUOTE]

Thank you!

The left-hander one with the big belly is 2 1/4" broad at the widest point.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 12th November 2018, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xasterix

If I may add a rejoinder- any thoughts regarding the varying belly width of talibongs? Which do you think are the older variants- thin ones or the thick ones? Or they coexisted at the same time period?

Personally I think they coexisted at the same time period!

kronckew · 12th November 2018, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xasterix

Thanks for buying from a Filipino artisan sir. The Silvas are still smithing blades nowadays

Topic off
(I have a ginunting he made too)
Topic on

kino · 12th November 2018, 08:04 PM

Here are mine.

kino · 12th November 2018, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xasterix

I found it ignored and rusty in an antique shop without a scabbard (I had one built to accommodate it).

That’s a fine replacement scabbard. Did you make it or had it commissioned from someone?

Spunjer · 12th November 2018, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kino

Here are mine.

Ayos!

xasterix · 13th November 2018, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kino

That’s a fine replacement scabbard. Did you make it or had it commissioned from someone?

Hi sir, I had it made by Jun Deuna, a traditional smith from Southern Palawan. He mostly does Palawan blades (Badung, Bangkung, etc). You can look him up on Facebook, Blade Jun Traditional Philippine bolo is his Facebook page.

xasterix · 13th November 2018, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kino

Here are mine.

Delectable swords sir, I an most curious about the straight variant. What is its blade length? It reminds me a bit of the Lawihan blade from Cebu.

Also, how is it with regard to handling? Is it forward-tipping as well like the angled hilt variants, or does it just glide along smoothly?

Btw, credits to Filipino Traditional Blades Facebook page for the photos I'm attaching.

kino · 13th November 2018, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

Ayos!

Lolz

Battara · 24th November 2018, 03:49 AM

Here is mine. It was captured/turned in on the island of Bohol, July 1901.

xasterix · 25th November 2018, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Here is mine. It was captured/turned in on the island of Bohol, July 1901.

It seems frozen in time. Great work preserving this one!

Battara · 25th November 2018, 09:54 PM

Thank you. This was I believe use by the "Bolo Men" on Bohol who fought against the Americans during the Philippine-American War. They were formidable in the bush and only after the end of the war did they surrender. Some of the Bolo Men (what the American forces called them) were from Cebu and moved there to fight under Pedro Samson. This was probably a captured piece from fighting in or near the town of Tagbilaran, Bohol.

Some of this information is actually written in fading ink on the scabbard.

xasterix · 26th November 2018, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Thank you. This was I believe use by the "Bolo Men" on Bohol who fought against the Americans during the Philippine-American War. They were formidable in the bush and only after the end of the war did they surrender. Some of the Bolo Men (what the American forces called them) were from Cebu and moved there to fight under Pedro Samson. This was probably a captured piece from fighting in or near the town of Tagbilaran, Bohol.

Some of this information is actually written in fading ink on the scabbard.

Very interesting. The info written on the scabbard is precious, and may help in locating the true region-of-origin of this elusive blade. It seems long- I'm guessing 23-25 inches blade length- and also a combat-based blade, with little to no utility purpose.

Battara · 26th November 2018, 06:26 PM

Actual blade length is 23 1/2 inches. Good guess range.

xasterix · 29th March 2019, 05:12 PM

Hello everyone. Just poking this old thread to ask for assistance from generous forum members. I've been scouring through all available references within reach for more than a month, and I'm thinking I'm finally closer to pinpointing the local name of this weapon (it's not 'garab'; it goes by another name). I would be most grateful if any of you who own a talibong that has any engraving, whether symbolic or in words, can either post a pic or type the contents. This might help me accumulate more clues towards thorough identification of this particular blade.

Maraming salamat in advance!

Sajen · 29th March 2019, 05:57 PM

No one which is in my posession show an engraving of any sort on the blade, sorry.

xasterix · 29th March 2019, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

No one which is in my posession show an engraving of any sort on the blade, sorry.

ah sorry I was unclear - engraving on the blade, carving on the scabbard, piece of paper as providence, etc. any indicator of the blade's providence

Sajen · 29th March 2019, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xasterix

ah sorry I was unclear - engraving on the blade, carving on the scabbard, piece of paper as providence, etc. any indicator of the blade's providence

Only one show on the backside three letters which are initials IMVHO.

xasterix · 29th March 2019, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Only one show on the backside three letters which are initials IMVHO.

Yup looks like it. Although I'll also run it through the common names of places in the Visayas. Thanks for this!

xasterix · 29th November 2020, 07:18 PM

Hi, just reviving this thread in the hope that more people will contribute samples. This was passed on to me by a fellow forum member recently; it's a fine specimen and I'm honored to be entrusted with it.

SanibelSwassa · 26th February 2021, 09:50 PM

Only have two... but here they are. Always hunting more... but so hard to come by.

Thank you all for sharing your collections and knowledge.

10th November 2018, 07:15 PM	#1
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 657	Share your Pulahanes Talibong This sword is hotly debated among my blade expert friends. Did it come from Central Cebu, or Eastern Visayas? Is there still a living traditional smith who can resurrect this blade from obscurity? How many variations are there? These questions hound this blade, yet for me it's an awesome weapon, one that can dispose of even the thickest of water bottles very cleanly (I can just imagine what it can do one's limbs or head). In the spirit of other past threads I've read here (Show us your Barung! Show us your Bangkung!, etc) I've thought of starting this thread to give some love to this particular talibong- which I've simply labeled as 'Pulahanes' in memory of those that wielded this particular weapon in my country during the 1900s. To start it off, here's mine. I found it ignored and rusty in an antique shop without a scabbard (I had one built to accommodate it). Estimated by a blade expert-friend to be pre-WW2. 25-inch blade with heat treatment still intact, 7-inch hilt. Forward-weighted, gathers momentum pretty fast. Got three microcracks near the tip, and heavy patina at the 'action' portion of the blade. Once sharpened, cut like a beast. Share your talibong/s as well! Attached Images

11th November 2018, 02:58 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hello Xasterix, there should be a lot in the collections of our members, hope they will post their examples. Here my ones, the first two pictures show the examples I have here in Germany, a Garab and two Talibon, I guess that the big Talibon is a very rare variant, worked for a left-hander. I am a left-hander so it's my personal weapon! The next two pictures show another Talibon, one with a horn handle, the handle binding need to get restored. Next pictures show a rather recent addition to the collection so only seller pictures. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

11th November 2018, 04:48 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	My example is deep in one of my storage chests; but here is a picture from the History of Steel exhibition at the Macao Museum of Art some years back... until I can dig it out and re-photograph it. Attached Images

11th November 2018, 04:53 PM	#4
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 340	Talibong/Garab? I might have a few. ...and also a very curious cat. Have fun, Leif Attached Images

11th November 2018, 07:50 PM	#5
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Just a couple Attached Images

12th November 2018, 08:43 AM	#7
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 657	If I may add a rejoinder- any thoughts regarding the varying belly width of talibongs? Which do you think are the older variants- thin ones or the thick ones? Or they coexisted at the same time period?

12th November 2018, 09:43 AM	#8
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	I have a couple of 'villager' garabs and a talibong. all right hand chisel edged. All razor sharp. All from Jun Silva, from the Cebu area, latter half 20thc. Attached Images

12th November 2018, 05:45 PM	#10
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	[QUOTE=xasterix]Great weapons, and I'm surprised at the belly-width of some of those talibongs! How many inches is the thickest among them?/QUOTE] Thank you! The left-hander one with the big belly is 2 1/4" broad at the widest point. Regards, Detlef

12th November 2018, 08:04 PM	#13
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,002	Here are mine. Attached Images

24th November 2018, 03:49 AM	#19
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Here is mine. It was captured/turned in on the island of Bohol, July 1901. Attached Images

25th November 2018, 09:54 PM	#21
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Thank you. This was I believe use by the "Bolo Men" on Bohol who fought against the Americans during the Philippine-American War. They were formidable in the bush and only after the end of the war did they surrender. Some of the Bolo Men (what the American forces called them) were from Cebu and moved there to fight under Pedro Samson. This was probably a captured piece from fighting in or near the town of Tagbilaran, Bohol. Some of this information is actually written in fading ink on the scabbard.

26th November 2018, 06:26 PM	#23
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Actual blade length is 23 1/2 inches. Good guess range.

29th March 2019, 05:12 PM	#24
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 657	Hello everyone. Just poking this old thread to ask for assistance from generous forum members. I've been scouring through all available references within reach for more than a month, and I'm thinking I'm finally closer to pinpointing the local name of this weapon (it's not 'garab'; it goes by another name). I would be most grateful if any of you who own a talibong that has any engraving, whether symbolic or in words, can either post a pic or type the contents. This might help me accumulate more clues towards thorough identification of this particular blade. Maraming salamat in advance!

29th March 2019, 05:57 PM	#25
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	No one which is in my posession show an engraving of any sort on the blade, sorry.

29th November 2020, 07:18 PM	#29
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 657	Hi, just reviving this thread in the hope that more people will contribute samples. This was passed on to me by a fellow forum member recently; it's a fine specimen and I'm honored to be entrusted with it. Attached Images

26th February 2021, 09:50 PM	#30
SanibelSwassa Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Sanibel Florida Posts: 104	Only have two... but here they are. Always hunting more... but so hard to come by. Thank you all for sharing your collections and knowledge. Attached Images