LUMAD BAGOBO BOLO

[tanaruz]

My dear friends,

I've recently acquired this piece. It is a bolo kampilan from a lumad tribe in Mindanao. There's no handle; the blade was rusted and some issues on the scabbard.

But it is an old piece and I would like to have it restored.

1) is this a Bagobo bolo? without the handle, my only reference would be the scabbard's style (which is somewhat similar to a Bagobo bolo I have) and the cloth (scabbard's mouth).

2) issues: I soaked it overnight on white vinegar and in the morning, most of the rust just melted away- except for some areas on the blade (blackened areas) I was trying to distinguish if these spots are pitted areas, and yes, there's little pitting. But why is it the rust won't go away? what's best to remove this? would sanding help?

3) what handle design would fit this lovely piece have when it was pristine?

4) I have noticed that the tang is a bit short?

Thank you in advance and be safe

Yves