Matched Pair Of Philippine Bolos

Robert · 23rd August 2014, 05:54 AM

Hello everyone, I was lucky enough to be able to acquire these two matched Luzon bolos for my collection and as they arrived today I am posting a few photos hopefully for everyones enjoyment. The carving of the horn hilts (aside from the bug damage) is some of the finest that I have ever seen. I am not sure if the plating on the blades is chrome or only nickel, but either way the chemical stripper that I once used I found is again available so it won't be as hard to remove as it has been. The one thing positive about the plating is that it has kept the blades from rusting. The fittings are made from coin silver and thankfully had not been plated when the blades were. The measurements are;

Total length = 23-1/2 inches
Blade length = 16-1/2 inches in length
Width at widest point = 2-3/8 inches
Thickness at hilt = 9/32 inch

Later I will post new photos after I have had a chance to remove the plating from the blades and etch them. Any comments or information that anyone would like to add or share on these will be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Robert

VANDOO · 23rd August 2014, 07:09 AM

CONGRATULATIONS! A NICE LARGE MATCHED PAIR.

THE HORN CARVING LOOKS LIKE THE EXCELLENT WORK WE HAVE DISCUSSED BEFORE MADE SOMEWHERE ON LUZON IF I REMEMBER RIGHT.

Robert · 23rd August 2014, 09:06 AM

Hello Barry, Thank you very much for your kind words on these. Yes, I would agree that this work was definately done on Luzon and remember the photo of the carver at his workbench that I believe Jose posted. These are very large and impressive pieces and I was shocked when they finally showed up today. I had made the deal on these Monday relying solely on the above photos that the seller provided and waiting for them to arrive was nerve wracking. My only disappointment was the plating on the blades. Can anyone identify what the object being held in the hands are. They look like a staff of some sort with leaves protruding from the end.

After these are restored I am actually thinking of having new leather sheaths (tooled in a style appropriate to their age) made for them as finding old originals would be pretty much an impossible task.

Best,
Robert

Robert · 23rd August 2014, 07:44 PM

I am sorry Barry, but I was mistaken it was Dimasalang who posted the photo of the "Bolo Maker"in the earlier thread, not Jose. My memory is fading faster and faster as the years go by. The original thread can be seen here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...2Bolo+Maker%22 I hope that Dimasalang does not mind if just to make it easier to see again I post a copy of the photo here too. Anyone interested in these items should really check out this older very informative thread.

Best,
Robert

VANDOO · 23rd August 2014, 08:08 PM

ITS NOT APPARENT AT FIRST BUT HE IS HOLDING A LONG UNFINISHED BLADE WITH THE CLIPPED BOWIE POINT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT HE HAS UP NEAR THE TANG PERHAPS SOME CLOTH. WOULD'NT IT BE COOL IF IT IS A PICTURE OF HIM MAKING ONE OF YOUR KNIVES

.

Robert · 23rd August 2014, 08:18 PM

THAT would be great, but in the close-up it looks as though the hilt is slightly different than mine. Look at the carving on the wrist area in this picture and you will see what I mean.

Sajen · 25th August 2014, 09:05 AM

Lovely pair Robert!

Please keep us updated, I special would like to see the new leather scabbards. Where you let work them?

Regards,
Detlef

Robert · 26th August 2014, 12:57 AM

Thank you Detlef, I not sure yet where I will have the sheaths made. There are quite a few good leather shops and saddle makers in the area of the country where I live so I am going to have to look around before I really decide who will make them. If anyone here in the states has anyone that they would like to recommend for making these scabbards, please PM me with their contact information.

Best,
Robert

23rd August 2014, 05:54 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Matched Pair Of Philippine Bolos Hello everyone, I was lucky enough to be able to acquire these two matched Luzon bolos for my collection and as they arrived today I am posting a few photos hopefully for everyones enjoyment. The carving of the horn hilts (aside from the bug damage) is some of the finest that I have ever seen. I am not sure if the plating on the blades is chrome or only nickel, but either way the chemical stripper that I once used I found is again available so it won't be as hard to remove as it has been. The one thing positive about the plating is that it has kept the blades from rusting. The fittings are made from coin silver and thankfully had not been plated when the blades were. The measurements are; Total length = 23-1/2 inches Blade length = 16-1/2 inches in length Width at widest point = 2-3/8 inches Thickness at hilt = 9/32 inch Later I will post new photos after I have had a chance to remove the plating from the blades and etch them. Any comments or information that anyone would like to add or share on these will be greatly appreciated. Best, Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert; 24th August 2014 at 05:13 PM.

23rd August 2014, 09:06 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Barry, Thank you very much for your kind words on these. Yes, I would agree that this work was definately done on Luzon and remember the photo of the carver at his workbench that I believe Jose posted. These are very large and impressive pieces and I was shocked when they finally showed up today. I had made the deal on these Monday relying solely on the above photos that the seller provided and waiting for them to arrive was nerve wracking. My only disappointment was the plating on the blades. Can anyone identify what the object being held in the hands are. They look like a staff of some sort with leaves protruding from the end. After these are restored I am actually thinking of having new leather sheaths (tooled in a style appropriate to their age) made for them as finding old originals would be pretty much an impossible task. Best, Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert; 24th August 2014 at 05:20 PM.

23rd August 2014, 07:44 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I am sorry Barry, but I was mistaken it was Dimasalang who posted the photo of the "Bolo Maker"in the earlier thread, not Jose. My memory is fading faster and faster as the years go by. The original thread can be seen here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...2Bolo+Maker%22 I hope that Dimasalang does not mind if just to make it easier to see again I post a copy of the photo here too. Anyone interested in these items should really check out this older very informative thread. Best, Robert Attached Images

23rd August 2014, 08:18 PM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	THAT would be great, but in the close-up it looks as though the hilt is slightly different than mine. Look at the carving on the wrist area in this picture and you will see what I mean. Attached Images

23rd August 2014, 07:09 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	CONGRATULATIONS! A NICE LARGE MATCHED PAIR. THE HORN CARVING LOOKS LIKE THE EXCELLENT WORK WE HAVE DISCUSSED BEFORE MADE SOMEWHERE ON LUZON IF I REMEMBER RIGHT.

23rd August 2014, 08:08 PM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	ITS NOT APPARENT AT FIRST BUT HE IS HOLDING A LONG UNFINISHED BLADE WITH THE CLIPPED BOWIE POINT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT HE HAS UP NEAR THE TANG PERHAPS SOME CLOTH. WOULD'NT IT BE COOL IF IT IS A PICTURE OF HIM MAKING ONE OF YOUR KNIVES .

25th August 2014, 09:05 AM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,786	Lovely pair Robert! Please keep us updated, I special would like to see the new leather scabbards. Where you let work them? Regards, Detlef

26th August 2014, 12:57 AM	#8
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Thank you Detlef, I not sure yet where I will have the sheaths made. There are quite a few good leather shops and saddle makers in the area of the country where I live so I am going to have to look around before I really decide who will make them. If anyone here in the states has anyone that they would like to recommend for making these scabbards, please PM me with their contact information. Best, Robert