Filipino Sword

Robert · 13th December 2008, 12:02 AM

Hilt is made of Narra wood and is offset from blades center like most of the Spanish influenced Filipino swords I've seen.The blade is shaped kind of like the style of a Kampilan?

I have never seen one of these Spanish influenced swords with this blade shape before. I would guess its origin to be from Luzon. I don't have any measurements as it is not yet in my possession. Going by the pictures if the object shown with it is a ruler I would estimate the blade length to be about 20 inches with an overall length of about 25 inches. All in all a very interesting sword that I am very happy to add to my collection. Thank you Albert and I hope you don't mind my using the pictures from the Swap Forum here. Any comments on the age or any other information on this sword would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Robert

Robert · 15th December 2008, 08:16 PM

The sword arrived today so I can give measurements.
Blade length 23-5/16"
Blade at widest 1-3/4"
Blade at thickest just under 1/4"
Total length 27"
The more I look at this sword the more the blade reminds me of a Tabak with the tip of a Kampilan. Any comments on this piece would be appreciated. Thanks.

Robert

Battara · 19th December 2008, 03:25 AM

Since no one has weighed in, I guess I will. It looks like a form of tabak from Pampangas, and I would say early 20c.

Robert · 19th December 2008, 05:39 PM

Thank you Jose for your help with this. The strange shape of the blade tip is what was throwing me off on this one as it does have a point and could be used to stab with. At 23-5/16" it also has the longest blade that I have ever seen on a tabak. I have another tabak like bolo that I will put in its own thread later that is just as strange, as the slanted tip is sharpened.

Again I thank you for you help.

Robert

VANDOO · 19th December 2008, 07:19 PM

WAS THE TABAK ONE OF THE KNIVES THAT IS OFTEN FOUND WITH THE TIP CUT OFF BY ORDER OF THE SPANISH? I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL SMALLER EXAMPLES THAT DO HAVE THE CUT OFF BLUNT TIP.
IF SO PERHAPS THIS WAS A LARGER THAN USUAL FIGHTING EXAMPLE RATHER THAN THE SMALLER ONES FOR JUNGLE AND WORK USE AS WELL AS FIGHTING. THE MODIFIED TIP MIGHT HAVE BEEN REWORKED LATER FROM A CUT OFF BLUNT POINT OR PERHAPS THE OWNER CHEATED A BIT AND SAID IT IS NOW MORE BLUNT THAN IT WAS SO THIS IS GOOD ENOUGH.

THE TALIBON IS COMMON AS A SMALL WORK KNIFE AND USUALLY THE LARGER ONES BELONGED TO WARRIORS AND WERE PROBABLY SELDOM USED TO DO COMMON JOBS. SO PERHAPS THIS TABAK SIZE DIFFERENCE IS AN EXAMPLE SIMULAR TO THE TALIBON. WHILE I AM THINKING OF IT HAS ANYONE SEEN A TALIBON WITH ITS TIP CUT OFF BLUNT? I HAVEN'T AND DO WONDER WHY

migueldiaz · 20th December 2008, 12:30 AM

That's one good looking sword, Robert

Would that be the tang protruding on the hilt's butt end? If that would be the case, then perhaps that would mean that the sword is from Luzon, like Pampanga as what Battara mentioned. The other possibility I guess is that it is from Batangas. Both provinces are just about 100 km (60 miles) from Manila -- the former is to the north, while the latter is to the south.

At the recent Macao exhibit, there's a similar sword [pic below] described as:

212. Luzon Tabak
Period : Post 1900, Katipunan Era
Hilt : Carved carabao horn in the shape of a human figural head with hat/cap. Hilt with octagonal brass ferrule and cap with peened tang construction.
Blade : Long clipped tipped blade. Typical blade shape used by Katipuneros.
Scabbard : Not available
Origin : Southern Luzon, Batangas
Overall Length : 65.2 cm [25.7"]
Blade Length : 50.2 cm [19.8"]
Handle Length : 15 cm [5.9"]
Scabbard Length : No Scabbard

Battara · 20th December 2008, 02:52 AM

Yes, I remember that one. I'm not sure I agree with Batangas though.

Any way, yes the Spanish did forbid points on the blade.

Also a good point Migueldiaz (every pun intended

) about the tang protrusion - it is a Luzon trait.

As far as talibon are concerned, they come from Cebu and that is farther away from the centrally controlled regions around Manila like Batangas, Pampanga, etc. Cebu is farther away from Spanish control and so is Ilocos for that matter (another source of pointed daggers). This is my thinking anyway.

migueldiaz · 21st December 2008, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Yes, I remember that one. I'm not sure I agree with Batangas though.

Any way, yes the Spanish did forbid points on the blade.

Also a good point Migueldiaz (every pun intended

) about the tang protrusion - it is a Luzon trait ...

Thanks Battara for that comment, and I do get the point

... and I certainly always peen the points of my own views, after absorbing the tang of wisdom in the writing of all the others! [but(t) that was pun!]

Battara · 21st December 2008, 06:52 AM

You sure are a punny guy!

migueldiaz · 22nd December 2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

You sure are a punny guy!

It's cool how you temper your words without quenching any of the intended meaning. I now see a pattern in your razor-sharp and incisive remarks, which I hope to bind to the hilt of my own learnings, for me to gain an edge at some point -- Or was I trying too hard?!

Battara · 22nd December 2008, 05:43 PM

Oh no, you are doing just fine..

migueldiaz · 24th December 2008, 03:09 AM

ok-ir!

edit: i think it's smarter to write it this way => ok!-r

13th December 2008, 12:02 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Filipino Sword Hilt is made of Narra wood and is offset from blades center like most of the Spanish influenced Filipino swords I've seen.The blade is shaped kind of like the style of a Kampilan? I have never seen one of these Spanish influenced swords with this blade shape before. I would guess its origin to be from Luzon. I don't have any measurements as it is not yet in my possession. Going by the pictures if the object shown with it is a ruler I would estimate the blade length to be about 20 inches with an overall length of about 25 inches. All in all a very interesting sword that I am very happy to add to my collection. Thank you Albert and I hope you don't mind my using the pictures from the Swap Forum here. Any comments on the age or any other information on this sword would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert Coleman; 13th December 2008 at 03:29 PM.

19th December 2008, 05:39 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Thank you Jose for your help with this. The strange shape of the blade tip is what was throwing me off on this one as it does have a point and could be used to stab with. At 23-5/16" it also has the longest blade that I have ever seen on a tabak. I have another tabak like bolo that I will put in its own thread later that is just as strange, as the slanted tip is sharpened. Again I thank you for you help. Robert Last edited by Robert Coleman; 19th December 2008 at 06:37 PM.

20th December 2008, 12:30 AM	#6
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	That's one good looking sword, Robert Would that be the tang protruding on the hilt's butt end? If that would be the case, then perhaps that would mean that the sword is from Luzon, like Pampanga as what Battara mentioned. The other possibility I guess is that it is from Batangas. Both provinces are just about 100 km (60 miles) from Manila -- the former is to the north, while the latter is to the south. At the recent Macao exhibit, there's a similar sword [pic below] described as: 212. Luzon Tabak Period : Post 1900, Katipunan Era Hilt : Carved carabao horn in the shape of a human figural head with hat/cap. Hilt with octagonal brass ferrule and cap with peened tang construction. Blade : Long clipped tipped blade. Typical blade shape used by Katipuneros. Scabbard : Not available Origin : Southern Luzon, Batangas Overall Length : 65.2 cm [25.7"] Blade Length : 50.2 cm [19.8"] Handle Length : 15 cm [5.9"] Scabbard Length : No Scabbard Attached Images

24th December 2008, 03:09 AM	#12
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	ok-ir! edit: i think it's smarter to write it this way => ok!-r Last edited by migueldiaz; 24th December 2008 at 05:08 PM.

15th December 2008, 08:16 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	The sword arrived today so I can give measurements. Blade length 23-5/16" Blade at widest 1-3/4" Blade at thickest just under 1/4" Total length 27" The more I look at this sword the more the blade reminds me of a Tabak with the tip of a Kampilan. Any comments on this piece would be appreciated. Thanks. Robert

19th December 2008, 03:25 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Since no one has weighed in, I guess I will. It looks like a form of tabak from Pampangas, and I would say early 20c.

19th December 2008, 07:19 PM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	WAS THE TABAK ONE OF THE KNIVES THAT IS OFTEN FOUND WITH THE TIP CUT OFF BY ORDER OF THE SPANISH? I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL SMALLER EXAMPLES THAT DO HAVE THE CUT OFF BLUNT TIP. IF SO PERHAPS THIS WAS A LARGER THAN USUAL FIGHTING EXAMPLE RATHER THAN THE SMALLER ONES FOR JUNGLE AND WORK USE AS WELL AS FIGHTING. THE MODIFIED TIP MIGHT HAVE BEEN REWORKED LATER FROM A CUT OFF BLUNT POINT OR PERHAPS THE OWNER CHEATED A BIT AND SAID IT IS NOW MORE BLUNT THAN IT WAS SO THIS IS GOOD ENOUGH. THE TALIBON IS COMMON AS A SMALL WORK KNIFE AND USUALLY THE LARGER ONES BELONGED TO WARRIORS AND WERE PROBABLY SELDOM USED TO DO COMMON JOBS. SO PERHAPS THIS TABAK SIZE DIFFERENCE IS AN EXAMPLE SIMULAR TO THE TALIBON. WHILE I AM THINKING OF IT HAS ANYONE SEEN A TALIBON WITH ITS TIP CUT OFF BLUNT? I HAVEN'T AND DO WONDER WHY

20th December 2008, 02:52 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Yes, I remember that one. I'm not sure I agree with Batangas though. Any way, yes the Spanish did forbid points on the blade. Also a good point Migueldiaz (every pun intended ) about the tang protrusion - it is a Luzon trait. As far as talibon are concerned, they come from Cebu and that is farther away from the centrally controlled regions around Manila like Batangas, Pampanga, etc. Cebu is farther away from Spanish control and so is Ilocos for that matter (another source of pointed daggers). This is my thinking anyway.

21st December 2008, 06:52 AM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	You sure are a punny guy!

22nd December 2008, 05:43 PM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Oh no, you are doing just fine..