A luzon(?) kris for comment.

Rafngard · 13th August 2015, 04:17 AM

Hello all,

A new ebay acquisition. I'm pretty sure it's from the Philippines, and I think, based on the guard that it's from Luzon, but I really don't know much about these.

Seller says that the handle is horn, I'm not certain. The fittings seem like brass.

Clearly it needs some love, and apparently has spent most, if not all of my life time in a box among dozens of other knives. I'm glad it could come out and see the light.

I'm more than happen to hear any comments, opinions, etc that people more knowledgeable than I have on this.

Have fun,
Leif

Ian · 13th August 2015, 04:34 AM

Yes. This is a Luzon kris. Probably mid-20th C in manufacture. There are quite a few of these around and they were made largely for American service men and others as souvenirs of their visit to the Philippines. The quality of workmanship on the blades and hilts is often good and they are functional daggers, not pieces of junk.

Ian

Rafngard · 13th August 2015, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

they were made largely for American service men and others as souvenirs of their visit to the Philippines.
Ian

So not necessarily ethnographic?

Have fun,
Leif

Rick · 13th August 2015, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafngard

So not necessarily ethnographic?

Have fun,
Leif

No, Ethnographic .

Horn handle looks nice; the blade is a bit roughly finished, but that's okay .
Maybe the style was influenced by the Southern Philippines; but quite a long time ago .

Definitely Ethnographic .

Rafngard · 13th August 2015, 04:58 AM

I thought "produced for local use" was one of the criteria. Am I incorrect on this?

Thanks,
Leif

Rick · 13th August 2015, 05:01 AM

Pretty sure someone around here can produce a Katipunan wavy dagger; but it's not me .

That might serve the criteria .

The piece looks pre-wwar II to me .

The interesting thing about your horn handle is that it looks radially cut; not lengthwise as is usual .

If you don't like it .... I'm here .

David · 14th August 2015, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Yes. This is a Luzon kris.

Well, not to stir the pot too much here, but i wouldn't call it a kris.

Ian · 14th August 2015, 02:18 AM

David, you are correct of course. It is a flambé style of dagger which has likely been adapted from the Moro gunong to the south. Unfortunately, it is often referred to as a "Luzon kris," both in Luzon and among collectors. In fact, I have never heard a Tagalog describe it otherwise. Perhaps there is a particular term in Ilocano or one of the other Luzon dialects.

Ian.

Battara · 15th August 2015, 05:57 AM

I agree with Ian and Sajen so far. I might add that usually this type of wavy blade is seen in Ilocos Norte, northwest Luzon.

Roland_M · 13th August 2015, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafngard

Seller says that the handle is horn, I'm not certain. The fittings seem like brass.

Have fun,
Leif

Hello Leif,

you can check whether horn or not by holding the handle under halogen light or with a flashlight. Horn is often a little translucent like a brown finger nail. Check the edges for this effect.

Regards

Rafngard · 13th August 2015, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roland_M

Hello Leif,

you can check whether horn or not by holding the handle under halogen light or with a flashlight. Horn is often a little translucent like a brown finger nail. Check the edges for this effect.

Regards

Thanks! I'll have to give that a try when I get home tonight.

Thanks,
Leif

13th August 2015, 04:17 AM	#1
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 340	A luzon(?) kris for comment. Hello all, A new ebay acquisition. I'm pretty sure it's from the Philippines, and I think, based on the guard that it's from Luzon, but I really don't know much about these. Seller says that the handle is horn, I'm not certain. The fittings seem like brass. Clearly it needs some love, and apparently has spent most, if not all of my life time in a box among dozens of other knives. I'm glad it could come out and see the light. I'm more than happen to hear any comments, opinions, etc that people more knowledgeable than I have on this. Have fun, Leif Attached Images

13th August 2015, 04:34 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Yes. This is a Luzon kris. Probably mid-20th C in manufacture. There are quite a few of these around and they were made largely for American service men and others as souvenirs of their visit to the Philippines. The quality of workmanship on the blades and hilts is often good and they are functional daggers, not pieces of junk. Ian

13th August 2015, 04:58 AM	#5
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 340	I thought "produced for local use" was one of the criteria. Am I incorrect on this? Thanks, Leif

13th August 2015, 05:01 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Pretty sure someone around here can produce a Katipunan wavy dagger; but it's not me . That might serve the criteria . The piece looks pre-wwar II to me . The interesting thing about your horn handle is that it looks radially cut; not lengthwise as is usual . If you don't like it .... I'm here .

14th August 2015, 02:18 AM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	David, you are correct of course. It is a flambé style of dagger which has likely been adapted from the Moro gunong to the south. Unfortunately, it is often referred to as a "Luzon kris," both in Luzon and among collectors. In fact, I have never heard a Tagalog describe it otherwise. Perhaps there is a particular term in Ilocano or one of the other Luzon dialects. Ian.

15th August 2015, 05:57 AM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	I agree with Ian and Sajen so far. I might add that usually this type of wavy blade is seen in Ilocos Norte, northwest Luzon.