need some help to classify filipino edged weapons

rumpel9 · 8th March 2016, 11:14 AM

Hallo, Falks.
I need some help from Filipino people or anyone, who interesting in filipino edged weapons. I have some Moro and Lumad swords in my collection. Now I try to classify my knowledge of filipino edged weapons, especially non Moros. In English sources a lot of swords named just Sundang or Sudeng. But as I know it is just common terms, means “sword”. I would be very grateful if in this thread posted pictures of different types of old filipino weapons with their original names and places of origin.
Thanks in advance to everyone who will help.

kronckew · 8th March 2016, 03:50 PM

good luck. not only are there very many sword/knife/bolo names, but each style can have many names and origins). similar blades with different grips can have many more names. full photos of l/r side, top/bottom & pommel end,and including scabbard may be required for each as well. a daunting project.

David · 8th March 2016, 04:04 PM

You might be better off posting your own images and asking what it is called. But Wayne is absolutely correct. So many names, often for the same weapon. Names can change from one village to the next. The name game can get very complex when discussing Filipino blades. Right and wrong is highly subjective. Sometimes we are better off simply responding "it's a sundang".

rumpel9 · 8th March 2016, 07:07 PM

kronckew and David, thank you for your replys.
Here is some pics of items I have.
1. Katipunan? Matulis?
2.T’Boli Sword from Mindanao. But what its name? T’Boli kampilan?
3. Bagobo Sword. Idont know its name as well. And I met Bagobo Sword with absolutly the same handle with kampilan-type blade. Is it diffrent type weapon?
4. Karit? Say the truth Im not sure that Filipino sickle.

Battara · 8th March 2016, 08:45 PM

I agree - so many dialects with their own names, varying from tribe to tribe, sometimes even within the same tribe!

You might try to look at the (millions) of threads on this site for insight into the names of these pieces.

That being said:

1. Is a Tagalog bolo/itak in matulis style, but with a Visayan scabbard

2. Is a T'boli tak

3. Is in deed Bagobo, but I will have to look up in my files for the name

4. I think you are right about it being a karit

The bottom 2 look to be early 20c, and the top 2 might be around WWII.

8th March 2016, 11:14 AM	#1
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	need some help to classify filipino edged weapons Hallo, Falks. I need some help from Filipino people or anyone, who interesting in filipino edged weapons. I have some Moro and Lumad swords in my collection. Now I try to classify my knowledge of filipino edged weapons, especially non Moros. In English sources a lot of swords named just Sundang or Sudeng. But as I know it is just common terms, means “sword”. I would be very grateful if in this thread posted pictures of different types of old filipino weapons with their original names and places of origin. Thanks in advance to everyone who will help.

8th March 2016, 07:07 PM	#4
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 68	kronckew and David, thank you for your replys. Here is some pics of items I have. 1. Katipunan? Matulis? 2.T’Boli Sword from Mindanao. But what its name? T’Boli kampilan? 3. Bagobo Sword. Idont know its name as well. And I met Bagobo Sword with absolutly the same handle with kampilan-type blade. Is it diffrent type weapon? 4. Karit? Say the truth Im not sure that Filipino sickle. Attached Images

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8th March 2016, 03:50 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,178	good luck. not only are there very many sword/knife/bolo names, but each style can have many names and origins). similar blades with different grips can have many more names. full photos of l/r side, top/bottom & pommel end,and including scabbard may be required for each as well. a daunting project.

8th March 2016, 04:04 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	You might be better off posting your own images and asking what it is called. But Wayne is absolutely correct. So many names, often for the same weapon. Names can change from one village to the next. The name game can get very complex when discussing Filipino blades. Right and wrong is highly subjective. Sometimes we are better off simply responding "it's a sundang".

8th March 2016, 08:45 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	I agree - so many dialects with their own names, varying from tribe to tribe, sometimes even within the same tribe! You might try to look at the (millions) of threads on this site for insight into the names of these pieces. That being said: 1. Is a Tagalog bolo/itak in matulis style, but with a Visayan scabbard 2. Is a T'boli tak 3. Is in deed Bagobo, but I will have to look up in my files for the name 4. I think you are right about it being a karit The bottom 2 look to be early 20c, and the top 2 might be around WWII.