1st Republic Luzon Bolo

kai · 25th March 2015, 02:42 AM

Hello Ron,

Congrats for obtaining this special piece with supersweet hilt!

Quote:

the second reason i got attracted to this is the blade. it appears that it was a reformed budiak, making it truly unique.

I'm not yet convinced that the blade is a recycled budiak - that would imply removing a lot of metal!

Keeping my thumbs pressed that the pitting is not too deep and am looking forward to seeing it etched!

Regards,
Kai

Spunjer · 25th March 2015, 03:11 AM

Hello Kai,
yes, they would have to remove a lot of metal, but OTOH, that would be much easier than forging a whole new blade, yes?
the overall shape of the blade just throws me off. never seen a Luzon bolo in which the median ridge this pronounced. it has a diamond cross section, much like a budiak. another thing is something that I believed we have discussed before, as in during this time period, there was a strong resurgence on anything Moro (reason you will see kris-like dagger in the Ilocos region; also how some moro krises are rehilted and resheathed, aka visayan krises). a budiak would definitely fit right in...

Battara · 25th March 2015, 04:15 AM

One additional note, Tagalog dagger blades (as well as other Luzon blades) did have diamond cross sections during this period as well.........

Maurice · 25th March 2015, 03:48 PM

Congratulations Ron,

What an awesome piece.
The handle is striking and has a good old patina.
Great carving too...

Regards,
Maurice

kino · 28th March 2015, 07:50 PM

A beautiful hilt, the details of the carvings are amazing.
I'll have to side with Kai on the blade. It seems that the medial ridge veers off center. Like most, I'd like to see the outcome of the polish and etch.

Side note...I've been contemplating the Baltimore show, but I just can't justify shelling out for the plane fare from the West Coast, accommodations, rental car, while that money could be spent towards something that's on the auction block online. On the other hand the camaraderie with fellow members would be priceless.
if you or anyone got photos of the show, post them..

VANDOO · 29th March 2015, 06:07 AM

A GREAT CATCH

IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW WHO MADE THESE, HOW MANY YEARS THEY WERE MADE AND HOW MANY WERE MADE.
JUDGING FROM THE QUALITY OF HORN CARVING, SILVER WORK AND BLADE WORK (SOME WITH FANCY INLAY OR ENGRAVING) AND EVEN THE LEATHER SCABBARDS THAT SOMETIMES ACCOMPANY THEM. THAT MEANS A VERY HIGH QUALITY SHOP WITH SEVERAL HIGHLY SKILLED ARTISTS WORKING IN SEVERAL FIELDS. THESE WERE MADE FOR THE ELITE OR HIGH RANKING OR PRESENTATION SO THERE SHOULD BE RECORDS OF ALL SUCH SHOPS ITS OWNERS AND NOTED CRAFTSMEN.
I ONLY HAVE ONE IN MY COLLECTION AND PHILIPPINE KNIVES OF THIS QUALITY ARE FEW AND COME IN A VARIETY OF FORMS BUT THE WORKMANSHIP ALWAYS LOOKS SIMILAR. I SUSPECT THERE WAS ONLY ONE OR TWO SHOPS MAKING THIS QUALITY OF KNIFE.

carlos · 29th March 2015, 08:46 AM

Congratulations !! This piece is wonderful !!! One of my favoutites types of knives ! Philippines, horn and silver !!
Enjoy the bolo !!
Thanks !!
Carlos

25th March 2015, 03:11 AM	#2
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Hello Kai, yes, they would have to remove a lot of metal, but OTOH, that would be much easier than forging a whole new blade, yes? the overall shape of the blade just throws me off. never seen a Luzon bolo in which the median ridge this pronounced. it has a diamond cross section, much like a budiak. another thing is something that I believed we have discussed before, as in during this time period, there was a strong resurgence on anything Moro (reason you will see kris-like dagger in the Ilocos region; also how some moro krises are rehilted and resheathed, aka visayan krises). a budiak would definitely fit right in...

25th March 2015, 04:15 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	One additional note, Tagalog dagger blades (as well as other Luzon blades) did have diamond cross sections during this period as well.........

25th March 2015, 03:48 PM	#4
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,453	Congratulations Ron, What an awesome piece. The handle is striking and has a good old patina. Great carving too... Regards, Maurice

28th March 2015, 07:50 PM	#5
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	A beautiful hilt, the details of the carvings are amazing. I'll have to side with Kai on the blade. It seems that the medial ridge veers off center. Like most, I'd like to see the outcome of the polish and etch. Side note...I've been contemplating the Baltimore show, but I just can't justify shelling out for the plane fare from the West Coast, accommodations, rental car, while that money could be spent towards something that's on the auction block online. On the other hand the camaraderie with fellow members would be priceless. if you or anyone got photos of the show, post them..

29th March 2015, 06:07 AM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A GREAT CATCH IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW WHO MADE THESE, HOW MANY YEARS THEY WERE MADE AND HOW MANY WERE MADE. JUDGING FROM THE QUALITY OF HORN CARVING, SILVER WORK AND BLADE WORK (SOME WITH FANCY INLAY OR ENGRAVING) AND EVEN THE LEATHER SCABBARDS THAT SOMETIMES ACCOMPANY THEM. THAT MEANS A VERY HIGH QUALITY SHOP WITH SEVERAL HIGHLY SKILLED ARTISTS WORKING IN SEVERAL FIELDS. THESE WERE MADE FOR THE ELITE OR HIGH RANKING OR PRESENTATION SO THERE SHOULD BE RECORDS OF ALL SUCH SHOPS ITS OWNERS AND NOTED CRAFTSMEN. I ONLY HAVE ONE IN MY COLLECTION AND PHILIPPINE KNIVES OF THIS QUALITY ARE FEW AND COME IN A VARIETY OF FORMS BUT THE WORKMANSHIP ALWAYS LOOKS SIMILAR. I SUSPECT THERE WAS ONLY ONE OR TWO SHOPS MAKING THIS QUALITY OF KNIFE.

29th March 2015, 08:46 AM	#7
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 751	Congratulations !! This piece is wonderful !!! One of my favoutites types of knives ! Philippines, horn and silver !! Enjoy the bolo !! Thanks !! Carlos