Thanks everybody...glad I could be of some help.

Sweet! Kalayaan is Tagalog for independence, liberty, and freedom. ;)

This is why I love this place! Thank you all for sharing these images and your own personal pieces with us...much of them being some serious pieces of Philippine history. Where else on earth am I going to view prime examples and artifacts of my own people. Most of us wouldn't even know these fine blades existed! :)

This piece is a good evidence that the fist form is a Katipunan symbol (though depending upon the style and quality of the carving).

At Museo del Ejercito in Toledo, Spain, there's a Katipunan banner with this image -- two arms shown just from the elbow to the hands; one is holding a blade, and the other is holding by the hair a severed head of what looks a Caucasian (full beard, etc.); the two hands were depicted as a closed fist, especially the one holding the decapitated head by its hair. Thus perhaps (but am just speculating), the closed fist pommel design is related to this Katipunan imagery.

Yes I know the picture and found it in an old book on the PI. This is the reason I first thought that the fist was a sign of the Katipunan. Recently I found out that members would identify themselves to each other in the street with a fist to the chest.

If you'll have the chance to see that pic again, can you please post it here? Thanks :)

I have this photo also, somewhere on one of my computers. Ill try and find it and post it, if Battara doesn't before me. :)

Salamat :)

My Katipunan bolo
 

I had no idea Filipino weapons and even utilitarian edged instruments were so complex and interesting.

This is a fantastic and rich history. I was so happy to find this very informative thread. I have one of these knives too. Sword?
Big knife, let's say mine is. 15 1/2 inches for the blade, 22 inches overall.
Bolo. I always thought.

I'd be very interested to hear what you all think of this one.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...olo/sword-.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...sword-1413.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...sword-1412.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...sword-1411.jpg