Head Axe... A good one?

CourseEight · 3rd April 2009, 09:50 PM

Hi All --

Nowhere near my usual area of collecting, but I put in a modest bid and won it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=270365286851

I would appreciate any comments! Thanks,

--Radleigh

migueldiaz · 4th April 2009, 01:22 AM

Hi Radleigh,

Nonoy Tan is one of the experts in this forum when it comes to Northern Luzon head axes and related stuff.

While waiting for his comments, you may want to check out the Collectors' Guide page, as it has a good side by side comparison of a good head axe vs. an inferior one.

The write-up mentions that one of the distinguishing traits of a good head axe is the non-uniform thickness of the blade. In the case of my three head axes (pics attached), the blade thicknesses (all taken at the spine [i.e., top]) are as follows:

[a] Axe 1: front, 3 mm thick; middle, 2 mm; rear (spike), 5 mm;
[b] Axe 2: front, 1 mm thick; middle, 2 mm; rear (spike), 4 mm; and
[c] Axe 3: front, 2 mm thick; middle, 2 mm; rear (spike), 2 mm.

A head axe with uniform blade thickness does not necessarily mean it's tourist however.

Hope this helps

migueldiaz · 4th April 2009, 01:30 AM

After I made the post above, I checked out the eBay seller's description of the item: "I AM SELLING SEVERAL DIFFERENT ARTICLESTHAT CAME FROM THE ESTATE OF A GENTLEMAN WHO DID EXTENSIVE TRAVELING TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC, AFRICA AND OTHER COUNTRIES".

That's interesting, as if the axe really came from Africa or from the South Pacific, then that would help in the quest for the Origin of the Kalinga Axe ...

CourseEight · 4th April 2009, 08:06 PM

Thanks migueldiaz, that is very useful information. If you look at the seller's completed listings, you'll see he was also selling 4 spears that I believe identify as Bontoc, so I'm not sure quite what he's referring to as the "South Pacific" but I think this axe didn't come from anywhere unusual, tourist or not.

As soon as I get it I'll be able to measure the thickness, although I am hopeful since there does appear to be a decent bevel on the edge of the one I purchased...

CourseEight · 9th April 2009, 05:28 PM

Well, axe arrived today and I'm happy to say there is indeed variation in the blade width, from 4mm at the spike to 2mm in the middle to 3mm near the blade.

Any thoughts on the age of this axe? When did axes with these sorts of width variations in the blade stop being made, if at all?

migueldiaz · 10th April 2009, 01:36 AM

Super!

As to the probable age, well that's a tough one

So far, I haven't come across info on when that transition point supposedly occurred, if at all.

3rd April 2009, 09:50 PM	#1
CourseEight Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 222	Head Axe... A good one? Hi All -- Nowhere near my usual area of collecting, but I put in a modest bid and won it: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=270365286851 I would appreciate any comments! Thanks, --Radleigh Attached Images

4th April 2009, 01:22 AM	#2
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Hi Radleigh, Nonoy Tan is one of the experts in this forum when it comes to Northern Luzon head axes and related stuff. While waiting for his comments, you may want to check out the Collectors' Guide page, as it has a good side by side comparison of a good head axe vs. an inferior one. The write-up mentions that one of the distinguishing traits of a good head axe is the non-uniform thickness of the blade. In the case of my three head axes (pics attached), the blade thicknesses (all taken at the spine [i.e., top]) are as follows: [a] Axe 1: front, 3 mm thick; middle, 2 mm; rear (spike), 5 mm; [b] Axe 2: front, 1 mm thick; middle, 2 mm; rear (spike), 4 mm; and [c] Axe 3: front, 2 mm thick; middle, 2 mm; rear (spike), 2 mm. A head axe with uniform blade thickness does not necessarily mean it's tourist however. Hope this helps Attached Images

4th April 2009, 01:30 AM	#3
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	After I made the post above, I checked out the eBay seller's description of the item: "I AM SELLING SEVERAL DIFFERENT ARTICLESTHAT CAME FROM THE ESTATE OF A GENTLEMAN WHO DID EXTENSIVE TRAVELING TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC, AFRICA AND OTHER COUNTRIES". That's interesting, as if the axe really came from Africa or from the South Pacific, then that would help in the quest for the Origin of the Kalinga Axe ...

4th April 2009, 08:06 PM	#4
CourseEight Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 222	Thanks migueldiaz, that is very useful information. If you look at the seller's completed listings, you'll see he was also selling 4 spears that I believe identify as Bontoc, so I'm not sure quite what he's referring to as the "South Pacific" but I think this axe didn't come from anywhere unusual, tourist or not. As soon as I get it I'll be able to measure the thickness, although I am hopeful since there does appear to be a decent bevel on the edge of the one I purchased...

9th April 2009, 05:28 PM	#5
CourseEight Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 222	Well, axe arrived today and I'm happy to say there is indeed variation in the blade width, from 4mm at the spike to 2mm in the middle to 3mm near the blade. Any thoughts on the age of this axe? When did axes with these sorts of width variations in the blade stop being made, if at all?

10th April 2009, 01:36 AM	#6
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Super! As to the probable age, well that's a tough one So far, I haven't come across info on when that transition point supposedly occurred, if at all.