Bagobo Or T'boli ?

Robert · 23rd April 2011, 04:13 AM

Here is a very nice little knife that I just picked up on a trade and thought I'd post in hopes of finding more information on it. Any comments on possable age or any other information on it would be greatly appreciated. My thanks in advance for all help offered.

Robert

Battara · 23rd April 2011, 04:59 AM

I vote for T'boli at present because of the T'boli brass bells at the end and the silver inlay motif on the blade.

Robert · 23rd April 2011, 05:13 AM

Hello Jose, It is not silver inlay its either lime or white paint.

Robert

Nonoy Tan · 23rd April 2011, 06:42 AM

Possible use is to cut betel nut for betel chew. Betel chewing is a tradition in many people of the Philippines (and other Asian countries) even up to the present time. You should try it, Robert

Sajen · 23rd April 2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nonoy Tan

Possible use is to cut betel nut for betel chew. Betel chewing is a tradition in many people of the Philippines (and other Asian countries) even up to the present time. You should try it, Robert

When you try it try the dry nuts; the young ones are very very bitter!

Robert · 23rd April 2011, 04:36 PM

OK you've got me interested, I've never tried betel nuts so one of you will have to send me some to try.

I'm still looking for more information on this knife though. Anyone have anything else that they would like to add about it?

Robert

Nonoy Tan · 23rd April 2011, 07:35 PM

It is one of the various Bagobo knives. Although the Bagobo are known to "export" such knives to other peoples of Mindanao.

These are also used by Bagobo women for handicraft work and harvesting rice.

Robert · 24th April 2011, 03:28 AM

Thank you very much for the information Nonoy Tan. So I take it that these are a pretty common item then ? One more question, what would you say the age on this piece might be? Thank you again.

Robert

Battara · 24th April 2011, 05:12 AM

So Nonoy Tan, these are common and Bagobo in origin (though this one is T'boli modified)?

Nonoy Tan · 24th April 2011, 07:13 AM

The T'boli and Bagobo are known to make those small bells attached to the knife. Moreover, the simplicity of the technology used to make these bells allows almost anybody in Mindanao to make these bells nowadays. I think the knife is Bagobo in its entirety - i.e. all parts of it made by the Bagobo.

The knife is not common because it is limited in use within Mindanao only. The other betel chewing people of the Philippines have their own types of small utility knives. It is difficult for me to estimate the age but I don't think it is a tourist item - i.e. not made for the purpose of sale to tourists.

Robert, it is a beautiful piece in my opinion. Maybe someday we can use it and have betel chew together :-)

Robert · 24th April 2011, 09:47 AM

Nonoy Tan, Thank you so much for your kind words and all the great information on my new knife. For awhile there I was worried that I had acquired a piece meant for those who travel. As far as having a betel chew together we will just have to figure out where and when.

Thank you again.

Robert

P.S. If anyone has one of these small bells (1/2" Dia.) I could use one to replace the one that is missing on this.

Ferguson · 24th April 2011, 12:55 PM

Cool little knife Robert. The blade shape is somewhat similar to the coconut knife from Mindanao that was talked about in this thread.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4538

Steve

Robert · 24th April 2011, 07:05 PM

Hello Steve, and thank you for posting your knife as another example of Mindanao blades. You are right about the shape of the blade as they are quite a bit alike except for size as yours is far larger than the one I have. Thanks again.

Robert

Battara · 25th April 2011, 12:05 AM

Quote:

P.S. If anyone has one of these small bells (1/2" Dia.) I could use one to replace the one that is missing on this.

I am going to try to get some Tboli bells - I will send you a couple if this works out.

Robert · 25th April 2011, 12:12 AM

Jose,
Thank you very very much. Making the missing links for the chain will be easy but casting a small bell like this can turn into a can of worms when you haven't done any casting in years. Thanks again.

Robert

migueldiaz · 25th April 2011, 09:22 AM

Here's a similar piece ...

Battara · 25th April 2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nonoy Tan

The T'boli and Bagobo are known to make those small bells attached to the knife. Moreover, the simplicity of the technology used to make these bells allows almost anybody in Mindanao to make these bells nowadays. I think the knife is Bagobo in its entirety - i.e. all parts of it made by the Bagobo.

The knife is not common because it is limited in use within Mindanao only. The other betel chewing people of the Philippines have their own types of small utility knives. It is difficult for me to estimate the age but I don't think it is a tourist item - i.e. not made for the purpose of sale to tourists.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge - very helpful Nanoy Tan.

Battara · 11th March 2013, 08:23 PM

Here is my Bagobo knife (from ebay :

):

Battara · 11th March 2013, 08:24 PM

Here are some other pictures of this type of knife:

Nonoy Tan · 13th March 2013, 09:46 AM

Here is another specimen.

Battara · 14th March 2013, 12:08 AM

Nonoy Tan, that is a nice piece right there. I usually don't go for this type of piece but yours is really nice. Especially like the bells and the brass/bronze work on the hilt.

23rd April 2011, 04:13 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Bagobo Or T'boli ? Here is a very nice little knife that I just picked up on a trade and thought I'd post in hopes of finding more information on it. Any comments on possable age or any other information on it would be greatly appreciated. My thanks in advance for all help offered. Robert Attached Images

24th April 2011, 12:55 PM	#12
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Cool little knife Robert. The blade shape is somewhat similar to the coconut knife from Mindanao that was talked about in this thread. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4538 Steve Attached Images

25th April 2011, 09:22 AM	#16
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Here's a similar piece ... Attached Images

11th March 2013, 08:23 PM	#18
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	Here is my Bagobo knife (from ebay : ): Attached Images

11th March 2013, 08:24 PM	#19
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	Here are some other pictures of this type of knife: Attached Images

23rd April 2011, 04:59 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	I vote for T'boli at present because of the T'boli brass bells at the end and the silver inlay motif on the blade.

23rd April 2011, 05:13 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Jose, It is not silver inlay its either lime or white paint. Robert

23rd April 2011, 06:42 AM	#4
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Possible use is to cut betel nut for betel chew. Betel chewing is a tradition in many people of the Philippines (and other Asian countries) even up to the present time. You should try it, Robert

23rd April 2011, 04:36 PM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	OK you've got me interested, I've never tried betel nuts so one of you will have to send me some to try. I'm still looking for more information on this knife though. Anyone have anything else that they would like to add about it? Robert

23rd April 2011, 07:35 PM	#7
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	It is one of the various Bagobo knives. Although the Bagobo are known to "export" such knives to other peoples of Mindanao. These are also used by Bagobo women for handicraft work and harvesting rice.

24th April 2011, 03:28 AM	#8
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Thank you very much for the information Nonoy Tan. So I take it that these are a pretty common item then ? One more question, what would you say the age on this piece might be? Thank you again. Robert

24th April 2011, 05:12 AM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	So Nonoy Tan, these are common and Bagobo in origin (though this one is T'boli modified)?

24th April 2011, 07:13 AM	#10
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	The T'boli and Bagobo are known to make those small bells attached to the knife. Moreover, the simplicity of the technology used to make these bells allows almost anybody in Mindanao to make these bells nowadays. I think the knife is Bagobo in its entirety - i.e. all parts of it made by the Bagobo. The knife is not common because it is limited in use within Mindanao only. The other betel chewing people of the Philippines have their own types of small utility knives. It is difficult for me to estimate the age but I don't think it is a tourist item - i.e. not made for the purpose of sale to tourists. Robert, it is a beautiful piece in my opinion. Maybe someday we can use it and have betel chew together :-)

24th April 2011, 09:47 AM	#11
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Nonoy Tan, Thank you so much for your kind words and all the great information on my new knife. For awhile there I was worried that I had acquired a piece meant for those who travel. As far as having a betel chew together we will just have to figure out where and when. Thank you again. Robert P.S. If anyone has one of these small bells (1/2" Dia.) I could use one to replace the one that is missing on this.

24th April 2011, 07:05 PM	#13
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Steve, and thank you for posting your knife as another example of Mindanao blades. You are right about the shape of the blade as they are quite a bit alike except for size as yours is far larger than the one I have. Thanks again. Robert

25th April 2011, 12:12 AM	#15
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Jose, Thank you very very much. Making the missing links for the chain will be easy but casting a small bell like this can turn into a can of worms when you haven't done any casting in years. Thanks again. Robert

13th March 2013, 09:46 AM	#20
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Here is another specimen. Attached Images

14th March 2013, 12:08 AM	#21
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	Nonoy Tan, that is a nice piece right there. I usually don't go for this type of piece but yours is really nice. Especially like the bells and the brass/bronze work on the hilt.