An Oddball Moro Knife/Golok

VANDOO · 3rd July 2013, 07:43 PM

THE HANDLE AND FERRULE APPEAR PURE MORO BUT THE BLADE IS MORE LIKE WHAT YOU WOULD SEE IN BORNEO AND MALAYSIA REGIONS. THE FANCY CUT OUT WORK AT THE TIP AND BELLY OF THE BLADE AND THE SCABBARD MAKE ME THINK SO. THE BAGOBO AND TIBOLI SOMETIMES DO THE CUT OUT FILE WORK ON THE BLADE TIP BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN IT DONE ON THE BELLY OF THE BLADE BEFORE. A NICE LOOKING KNIFE HOWEVER IT CAME TOGETHER. THE MORO TRAVELED WIDELY SO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD.

Robert · 5th July 2013, 05:00 AM

Hello CharleS, The blade on your example "minus the fancy file-work" looked very similar to the blade on this Visayan piece I have, but now that I have them together there seems to be a difference in the angle of the hilt also.

Best,
Robert

VVV · 5th July 2013, 09:52 AM

Interesting combination.
I vote for a trade blade, too.
It's really strange that it has a Junggayan Barong hilt???

Michael

Battara · 6th July 2013, 04:32 AM

Michael you have a good point, so I wonder if it was purchased by a datu. It might appear unique and exotic to a Moro, or perhaps a gift?

Pure speculation of course.

VVV · 6th July 2013, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Michael you have a good point, so I wonder if it was purchased by a datu. It might appear unique and exotic to a Moro, or perhaps a gift?

Pure speculation of course.

Maybe. That would explain the odd hilt.

Michael

CharlesS · 6th July 2013, 11:40 AM

Of course it could be a trade blade, but it looks and feels like the Moro steel found on bangkungs and barongs(but these can, of course have trade blades too). The only other area in the Philippines that I am aware of that would made anything similar in weight and thickness would be Visayan, but I believe the Visayan example shown really illustrates as many differences as similarities to Moro blades.

Bangkaya · 13th July 2013, 01:18 AM

I'm surprised no one here has seen an utak janap....

....now you have

Regards,
Bangkaya

5th July 2013, 05:00 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello CharleS, The blade on your example "minus the fancy file-work" looked very similar to the blade on this Visayan piece I have, but now that I have them together there seems to be a difference in the angle of the hilt also. Best, Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert; 5th July 2013 at 05:24 AM.

3rd July 2013, 07:43 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE HANDLE AND FERRULE APPEAR PURE MORO BUT THE BLADE IS MORE LIKE WHAT YOU WOULD SEE IN BORNEO AND MALAYSIA REGIONS. THE FANCY CUT OUT WORK AT THE TIP AND BELLY OF THE BLADE AND THE SCABBARD MAKE ME THINK SO. THE BAGOBO AND TIBOLI SOMETIMES DO THE CUT OUT FILE WORK ON THE BLADE TIP BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN IT DONE ON THE BELLY OF THE BLADE BEFORE. A NICE LOOKING KNIFE HOWEVER IT CAME TOGETHER. THE MORO TRAVELED WIDELY SO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD.

5th July 2013, 09:52 AM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Interesting combination. I vote for a trade blade, too. It's really strange that it has a Junggayan Barong hilt??? Michael

6th July 2013, 04:32 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,270	Michael you have a good point, so I wonder if it was purchased by a datu. It might appear unique and exotic to a Moro, or perhaps a gift? Pure speculation of course.

6th July 2013, 11:40 AM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Of course it could be a trade blade, but it looks and feels like the Moro steel found on bangkungs and barongs(but these can, of course have trade blades too). The only other area in the Philippines that I am aware of that would made anything similar in weight and thickness would be Visayan, but I believe the Visayan example shown really illustrates as many differences as similarities to Moro blades.

13th July 2013, 01:18 AM	#7
Bangkaya Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 38	I'm surprised no one here has seen an utak janap.... ....now you have Regards, Bangkaya