Large Philippines knives/swords

Timo Nieminen · 22nd April 2012, 01:03 PM

Here is the first bolo I ever got, which encouraged me to get more Philippine stuff. I forgot to photograph this one last time. The blade is 9.5mm thick at the guard, and tapers quite uniformly to the point.

Timo Nieminen · 20th May 2012, 03:17 AM

A few more recently acquired ones. The first one I only got last Friday; it was a bit filthy so I cleaned it this morning. Was still very sharp, except for about 1cm near the point. A light touch with block+sandpaper, and it cut nicely. (The seller seemed to think it might be a Civil War Confederate knife.)

The 3rd one was from here; the other side is cleaner and less pitted.

The last one has very bug-eaten horn grips rivetted on. I need to fill the holes one day.

VANDOO · 20th May 2012, 04:20 AM

A VERY NICE COLLECTION OF PHILIPPINE EDGED WEAPONS WHICH HAVE NOT RECCEIVED MUCH ATTENTION FROM COLLECTORS OVER THE YEARS.
I DODGED THE SWORD OR KNIFE

WELL DIDN'T I

TO ME AT 5 FOOT 11 IN. I WOULD CLASSIFY THESE AS SHORT SWORDS DUE TO THEIR SIZE IN RELATION TO MY SIZE. OR AS MACHETE OR BUSH KNIVES DUE TO THE USE THEY ARE PUT TO IN THEIR ORIGINAL SOCIETY. IF A MAN IS 7 FOOT TALL THESE WOULD LIKELY BE SEEN AS KNIVES IF 5 FOOT TALL IS BIG IN THE GROUP THAT MADE THEM ITS A SWORD. SEEMS SIZE IS RELATIVE.

IN COLDER OR OPEN CLIMATES A SMALL KNIFE WILL SERVE WELL FOR EVERDAY USE AS YOU DON'T NEED TO CHOP YOUR WAY THRU JUNGLE OR HEAVY BRUSH SO A LARGE WORK KNIFE/ MACHETE IS NOT NEEDED. SO I WOULD ASSUME IN SUCH AREAS THE LONG SWORD WOULD ONLY BE A WEAPON. THE VIKINGS SEEMED TO USE THE AX AS A WEAPON QUITE A LOT PERHAPS THAT HAD TO DO WITH THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND THE TOOLS THAT WERE USEFUL THERE. A MAN WHO USED AN AX EVERY DAY MIGHT PREFER TO USE SOMETHING HE WAS VERY SKILLED WITH AS A WEAPON AS A RESULT. IRON WAS ALWAYS EXPENSIVE SO A SMALL KNIFE, AX HEAD OR SPEAR HEAD WAS MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE THAN A LARGE KNIFE OR SWORD. " JUST CONJECTURE MY SPECIALTY"

THE CARVED SCABBARD ON ONE OF THE LAST EXAMPLES IS VERY WELL CARVED AND INTERESTING IT APPEARS TO HAVE TWO PEOPLE EITHER DANCING OR FIGHTING. PERHAPS A CLOSEUP HINT HINT

Robert · 20th May 2012, 04:48 AM

The forth one down with the nicely carved sheath I think is a bolo/palang from Pampangas. I remember seeing pictures of this or one very similar to it somewhere before and if I remember right it shows what appears to be two soldiers facing each other. Nice collection you are putting together, my congratulations.

Robert

Timo Nieminen · 20th May 2012, 05:42 AM

Yes, it's two soldiers facing each other, with shouldered rifles.

22nd April 2012, 01:03 PM	#1
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Here is the first bolo I ever got, which encouraged me to get more Philippine stuff. I forgot to photograph this one last time. The blade is 9.5mm thick at the guard, and tapers quite uniformly to the point. Attached Images

20th May 2012, 03:17 AM	#2
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	A few more recently acquired ones. The first one I only got last Friday; it was a bit filthy so I cleaned it this morning. Was still very sharp, except for about 1cm near the point. A light touch with block+sandpaper, and it cut nicely. (The seller seemed to think it might be a Civil War Confederate knife.) The 3rd one was from here; the other side is cleaner and less pitted. The last one has very bug-eaten horn grips rivetted on. I need to fill the holes one day. Attached Images

20th May 2012, 05:42 AM	#5
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Yes, it's two soldiers facing each other, with shouldered rifles. Attached Images

20th May 2012, 04:20 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A VERY NICE COLLECTION OF PHILIPPINE EDGED WEAPONS WHICH HAVE NOT RECCEIVED MUCH ATTENTION FROM COLLECTORS OVER THE YEARS. I DODGED THE SWORD OR KNIFE WELL DIDN'T I TO ME AT 5 FOOT 11 IN. I WOULD CLASSIFY THESE AS SHORT SWORDS DUE TO THEIR SIZE IN RELATION TO MY SIZE. OR AS MACHETE OR BUSH KNIVES DUE TO THE USE THEY ARE PUT TO IN THEIR ORIGINAL SOCIETY. IF A MAN IS 7 FOOT TALL THESE WOULD LIKELY BE SEEN AS KNIVES IF 5 FOOT TALL IS BIG IN THE GROUP THAT MADE THEM ITS A SWORD. SEEMS SIZE IS RELATIVE. IN COLDER OR OPEN CLIMATES A SMALL KNIFE WILL SERVE WELL FOR EVERDAY USE AS YOU DON'T NEED TO CHOP YOUR WAY THRU JUNGLE OR HEAVY BRUSH SO A LARGE WORK KNIFE/ MACHETE IS NOT NEEDED. SO I WOULD ASSUME IN SUCH AREAS THE LONG SWORD WOULD ONLY BE A WEAPON. THE VIKINGS SEEMED TO USE THE AX AS A WEAPON QUITE A LOT PERHAPS THAT HAD TO DO WITH THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND THE TOOLS THAT WERE USEFUL THERE. A MAN WHO USED AN AX EVERY DAY MIGHT PREFER TO USE SOMETHING HE WAS VERY SKILLED WITH AS A WEAPON AS A RESULT. IRON WAS ALWAYS EXPENSIVE SO A SMALL KNIFE, AX HEAD OR SPEAR HEAD WAS MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE THAN A LARGE KNIFE OR SWORD. " JUST CONJECTURE MY SPECIALTY" THE CARVED SCABBARD ON ONE OF THE LAST EXAMPLES IS VERY WELL CARVED AND INTERESTING IT APPEARS TO HAVE TWO PEOPLE EITHER DANCING OR FIGHTING. PERHAPS A CLOSEUP HINT HINT

20th May 2012, 04:48 AM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	The forth one down with the nicely carved sheath I think is a bolo/palang from Pampangas. I remember seeing pictures of this or one very similar to it somewhere before and if I remember right it shows what appears to be two soldiers facing each other. Nice collection you are putting together, my congratulations. Robert