Bonifacio knife?

[JeffS]

This bolo was a gamble. I would appreciate opinions before I decide to put any work into it. Large 18.5" blade.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by JeffS

This bolo was a gamble. I would appreciate opinions before I decide to put any work into it. Large 18.5" blade.

Hi Jeff,

It's a nice bolo and I would be glad to add it to my own collection and it's clearly worth putting some effort into it! When you don't like it feel free to send it to me!

Regards,
Detlef

[drac2k]

Nice Bolo indeed, and to me of Philippine configuration, but the scabbard is throwing me off; in my opinion, it doesn't look typical, especially the tassel on the end. I'm not stating that it doesn't belong to the knife, but rather it may have been influenced by another culture.

[Ian]

Hi Jeff,

Nice Luzon knife from late 19th C would be my guess. It is what I would call a "double-clipped" blade. If you look at the spine of this knife, there is an angle to the tip preceded by a concave area along the spine, then straight to the guard. this feature is seen on some Ilokano knives and also on some from Pampanga. The quality of finish on this one leads me towards Ilokano manufacture of the late 19th C. The scabbard looks more Pampangan, however, and the tassel on the tip of the scabbard is a known feature on some sheaths from that province.

Personally, I don't think this qualifies as a "Bonifacio" blade. The so-called Bonifacio blade is known also as "San Bartolome" after St Batholomew. There are several versions of this blade in Luzon, depending on province/culture. Most such blades are variants on a falchion style attributed to a sword on a statue of St Bartholomew in Bonifacio's home town. There is more information on the sword on this Forum.

[JeffS]

Thank you, very helpful. Noted on terminology. I think the spine pattern may indicate this was made from a rather large file. Any suggestions on how to go about repairing the torn scabbard toe?

[Ian]

Hi Jeff,

That scabbard looks pretty far gone at the toe. Apart from a larger metal chape, I'm not sure what else you can do. I did, however, find a picture of San Bartolome de Malabon wielding his big knife (called a tabak by some locals).

Ian.
.