Talibong, Real Or Tourist

Robert · 12th February 2011, 03:54 AM

Here is a small talibong that I found. The scabbard is in pieces at the moment and being glued back together so I didn't include any pictures of it but will post them later if this is not just a tourist item. Maybe this was made for a child or maybe to be used in the preparation of food? The blade is very well made and is 1/4 inch thick at the hilt, very sharp and has nice decorations on the ricasso. Sorry about the pictures. They were taken inside with a flash as we have over 18 inches of snow and it is around 15 degrees outside. All comments and thoughts on this are welcomed.

Robert

Battara · 12th February 2011, 04:21 AM

It looks newer to me.

laEspadaAncha · 12th February 2011, 05:24 AM

Jose,

I'm come across talibongs that are a little smaller than Robert's and show some age... This particular example aside, what were the small talibongs used for?

Robert · 12th February 2011, 07:27 PM

Hello Jose and thank you for your comments. Just so you know, this picture and the ones above were taken after cleaning the rust from the blade and cleaning and waxing the hilt. The main reason that I posted this is the file work on the blade seemed uncommon.

Robert

P.S.
The reason for cleaning this up so much is that I use it in the kitchen for cutting vegetables.

Battara · 12th February 2011, 11:36 PM

Well, that helps Robert. The hilt and file marks appear newer to me. Yet the blade profile is older in design and certainly traditional.

These smaller ones AI believe were used more as utility pieces and for the bush.

tom hyle · 20th February 2011, 03:13 AM

dagger/knife sized talibons are common, and I suppose they'd be used as dagger/knives. This one looks pre-wwII to me and nice. Notice the blade which is both curved and narrow; bannana like; this is how the thumbrest "garab" ones are; newer blades tend more to have straightish spines. The base is thicke and wedge-shaped, no? Newer blades are thinner/flatter and even sometimes thicker at the front edge (a style I also enjoy). No thumb rest as such though, huh? the very narrow waist is a feature I consider older/more original. Looks like an older piece to me. I love the great variety in these.....

Robert · 20th February 2011, 09:46 PM

Hello Tom and thank you for your thoughts on this. Old or new I really like this small knife and it is one of the best made ones (except for the quality of the hilt) that I have seen yet. A nice thick well made blade with good lines and exceptionally sharp edge. It is too bad that the scabbard is in such damaged condition. IF I ever get it straightened out I will post a couple of pictures of it, before and after. The problem is I have so many projects ahead of it I couldn't even guess when it might be. Again my thanks for all who have shared their thoughts on this interesting little knife.

Robert

tom hyle · 19th March 2011, 02:34 AM

Any chance it has a scarf welded edge?

harimauhk · 23rd March 2011, 06:01 AM

I have two similar-sized talibongs from WWII with kamagong handles and scabbards. BTW, the filemarking on the tang is found throughout the Philippines and is believed to be an ancient symbol that is put on blades to protect their owners. As with many Visayan blades, I believe talibongs are for general use as well as for use as weapons.

Robert · 23rd March 2011, 06:18 AM

Tom, It actually does have a scarf welded edge. I guess it does not show too clearly in the pictures. It is a very well made blade.

Harimauhk, Do yours have the file work on the blade like this one?

Robert

harimauhk · 23rd March 2011, 06:21 AM

Hi Robert,

I have mine in storage--I'd have to check.

Pandays throughout the Philippines were taught to put similar markings on their blades, and many continue to do so without really knowing why. I've even seen them on balisongs! I thought they were just maker's marks until I came across a source that said they were talismanic. That might explain why similar markings are found on blades from completely different areas.

Robert · 23rd March 2011, 06:39 AM

Yes, I too have seen this type of markings on quite a few Philippine edged weapons before, but this is the first talibong that I have seen marked in this way.

12th February 2011, 03:54 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Talibong, Real Or Tourist Here is a small talibong that I found. The scabbard is in pieces at the moment and being glued back together so I didn't include any pictures of it but will post them later if this is not just a tourist item. Maybe this was made for a child or maybe to be used in the preparation of food? The blade is very well made and is 1/4 inch thick at the hilt, very sharp and has nice decorations on the ricasso. Sorry about the pictures. They were taken inside with a flash as we have over 18 inches of snow and it is around 15 degrees outside. All comments and thoughts on this are welcomed. Robert Attached Images

12th February 2011, 07:27 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Jose and thank you for your comments. Just so you know, this picture and the ones above were taken after cleaning the rust from the blade and cleaning and waxing the hilt. The main reason that I posted this is the file work on the blade seemed uncommon. Robert P.S. The reason for cleaning this up so much is that I use it in the kitchen for cutting vegetables. Attached Images Last edited by Robert Coleman; 12th February 2011 at 07:42 PM.

12th February 2011, 04:21 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	It looks newer to me.

12th February 2011, 05:24 AM	#3
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Jose, I'm come across talibongs that are a little smaller than Robert's and show some age... This particular example aside, what were the small talibongs used for?

12th February 2011, 11:36 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Well, that helps Robert. The hilt and file marks appear newer to me. Yet the blade profile is older in design and certainly traditional. These smaller ones AI believe were used more as utility pieces and for the bush.

20th February 2011, 03:13 AM	#6
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	dagger/knife sized talibons are common, and I suppose they'd be used as dagger/knives. This one looks pre-wwII to me and nice. Notice the blade which is both curved and narrow; bannana like; this is how the thumbrest "garab" ones are; newer blades tend more to have straightish spines. The base is thicke and wedge-shaped, no? Newer blades are thinner/flatter and even sometimes thicker at the front edge (a style I also enjoy). No thumb rest as such though, huh? the very narrow waist is a feature I consider older/more original. Looks like an older piece to me. I love the great variety in these.....

20th February 2011, 09:46 PM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Tom and thank you for your thoughts on this. Old or new I really like this small knife and it is one of the best made ones (except for the quality of the hilt) that I have seen yet. A nice thick well made blade with good lines and exceptionally sharp edge. It is too bad that the scabbard is in such damaged condition. IF I ever get it straightened out I will post a couple of pictures of it, before and after. The problem is I have so many projects ahead of it I couldn't even guess when it might be. Again my thanks for all who have shared their thoughts on this interesting little knife. Robert

19th March 2011, 02:34 AM	#8
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Any chance it has a scarf welded edge?

23rd March 2011, 06:01 AM	#9
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	I have two similar-sized talibongs from WWII with kamagong handles and scabbards. BTW, the filemarking on the tang is found throughout the Philippines and is believed to be an ancient symbol that is put on blades to protect their owners. As with many Visayan blades, I believe talibongs are for general use as well as for use as weapons.

23rd March 2011, 06:18 AM	#10
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Tom, It actually does have a scarf welded edge. I guess it does not show too clearly in the pictures. It is a very well made blade. Harimauhk, Do yours have the file work on the blade like this one? Robert

23rd March 2011, 06:21 AM	#11
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Hi Robert, I have mine in storage--I'd have to check. Pandays throughout the Philippines were taught to put similar markings on their blades, and many continue to do so without really knowing why. I've even seen them on balisongs! I thought they were just maker's marks until I came across a source that said they were talismanic. That might explain why similar markings are found on blades from completely different areas.

23rd March 2011, 06:39 AM	#12
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Yes, I too have seen this type of markings on quite a few Philippine edged weapons before, but this is the first talibong that I have seen marked in this way.