Philippine Cuchillo?

Conogre · 8th March 2005, 06:00 PM

Based upon the blade shape, style and scabbard, my first impulse is to think that it's Visayan, from the Philippines, but then you come to the hilt and pommel and my certainty evaporates.
I've seen heads and deities carved out horn, but never a woman's head, nor one that's finished off to this degree or with inserts of other materials.
Additionally, rather than being peened over, it appears to be a piece of brass or bronze somewhat reminiscent of a lamp filial.
I almost forgot....the throat treatment of the sheath on this one is actually a second seperate piece to make an actual frog as opposed to the attached leather collar normally/commonly seen with Visayan knives.
Any thoughts, facts or opinions are welcomed.
Mike

Tim Simmons · 8th March 2005, 06:25 PM

A really nice Knife with a beautiful pommel.Now I know where these chaps are from.Thanks Mike

Conogre · 8th March 2005, 06:41 PM

Now THOSE are strange! LOL!
Don't jump too fast as I'm not SURE that this is a Philippine knife......I THINK it is, but it's got a lot of Indonesion qualities to it as well, the reason I posted it here for other opinions, just to be sure.

Mike

Lew · 8th March 2005, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conogre

Now THOSE are strange! LOL!
Don't jump too fast as I'm not SURE that this is a Philippine knife......I THINK it is, but it's got a lot of Indonesion qualities to it as well, the reason I posted it here for other opinions, just to be sure.

Mike

Hi Mike

It is most definately Philippine the sailor head motif is quite common often found on Luzon bolos. Yours seems to have some age to it very nice acquisition!

Lew

Ian · 8th March 2005, 07:33 PM

Hi Mike:

Definitely from the Philippines. I would suggest that it is most likely Ilocano from northern Luzon. The narrow "waist" to the hilt just below the pommel seems to be fairly typical of Ilocano work. The blade shape, with a slight flaring in width next to the hilt, is also an Ilocano feature but seen as well on some other blades from Luzon. Full tang hilt indicates Luzon too.

Ian.

Conogre · 9th March 2005, 12:06 AM

Thank you to all that have contributed so far.....in my absense there are a whole crop of terms, most of which I believe are either types of swords/knives or else are the factor(s) that categorize a blade, for instance, and set it aside in a particular group rather than just left general.

I've tried doing searches on the words, but keep coming up with threads that deal WITH the word, but usually in the context of whatever piece is being discussed and still not explaining why it's this or that.....with that thoroughly garbled, may I ask a huge favor?
I'll list the terms/words and if anyone who has or is willing to take the time could e-mail me with the definition of either the word or with what makes a weaoun fall into that category would be truly appreciated.
Mr Moderator, my e-mail addy is listed here intentionally and if any fallout results, it's entirely my problem:
mdandane@knology.net
OK...here are the terms:Binagong, Ginunting, Tenegre, Bangkung, and Junggayans
I THINK I worked out SHANDIGAN as a blade, usually Moro, that flares just slightly as a clear dividing line between the body of the blade and the sharpened (hardened?) edge, correct?
If it's just me, I apologize, but in a year or two these terms suddenly appear in common usage here in the forum while they were rare to non-existant previously.
The reason I suggested e-mail replies is to 1) keep from boring everyone to death, and 2)to keep from tying up space.
Dumb question and perhaps I just haven't found it yet, but is there dictionary or term reference in the FAQs?
If not, would it be worthwhile to compile one?
Thanking everyone in advance,
Mike

8th March 2005, 06:00 PM	#1
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Philippine Cuchillo? Based upon the blade shape, style and scabbard, my first impulse is to think that it's Visayan, from the Philippines, but then you come to the hilt and pommel and my certainty evaporates. I've seen heads and deities carved out horn, but never a woman's head, nor one that's finished off to this degree or with inserts of other materials. Additionally, rather than being peened over, it appears to be a piece of brass or bronze somewhat reminiscent of a lamp filial. I almost forgot....the throat treatment of the sheath on this one is actually a second seperate piece to make an actual frog as opposed to the attached leather collar normally/commonly seen with Visayan knives. Any thoughts, facts or opinions are welcomed. Mike Attached Images

8th March 2005, 06:25 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	A really nice Knife with a beautiful pommel.Now I know where these chaps are from.Thanks Mike Attached Images

8th March 2005, 07:33 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,197	Hi Mike: Definitely from the Philippines. I would suggest that it is most likely Ilocano from northern Luzon. The narrow "waist" to the hilt just below the pommel seems to be fairly typical of Ilocano work. The blade shape, with a slight flaring in width next to the hilt, is also an Ilocano feature but seen as well on some other blades from Luzon. Full tang hilt indicates Luzon too. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 9th March 2005 at 12:31 AM.

8th March 2005, 06:41 PM	#3
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Now THOSE are strange! LOL! Don't jump too fast as I'm not SURE that this is a Philippine knife......I THINK it is, but it's got a lot of Indonesion qualities to it as well, the reason I posted it here for other opinions, just to be sure. Mike

9th March 2005, 12:06 AM	#6
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Thank you to all that have contributed so far.....in my absense there are a whole crop of terms, most of which I believe are either types of swords/knives or else are the factor(s) that categorize a blade, for instance, and set it aside in a particular group rather than just left general. I've tried doing searches on the words, but keep coming up with threads that deal WITH the word, but usually in the context of whatever piece is being discussed and still not explaining why it's this or that.....with that thoroughly garbled, may I ask a huge favor? I'll list the terms/words and if anyone who has or is willing to take the time could e-mail me with the definition of either the word or with what makes a weaoun fall into that category would be truly appreciated. Mr Moderator, my e-mail addy is listed here intentionally and if any fallout results, it's entirely my problem: mdandane@knology.net OK...here are the terms:Binagong, Ginunting, Tenegre, Bangkung, and Junggayans I THINK I worked out SHANDIGAN as a blade, usually Moro, that flares just slightly as a clear dividing line between the body of the blade and the sharpened (hardened?) edge, correct? If it's just me, I apologize, but in a year or two these terms suddenly appear in common usage here in the forum while they were rare to non-existant previously. The reason I suggested e-mail replies is to 1) keep from boring everyone to death, and 2)to keep from tying up space. Dumb question and perhaps I just haven't found it yet, but is there dictionary or term reference in the FAQs? If not, would it be worthwhile to compile one? Thanking everyone in advance, Mike