Tboli Kampilan for Assessment

[xasterix]

Hullo Ian thanks very much for the thorough assessment- I agree this is somewhat recent, the previous owner acquired this in the 80s, so your estimate is spot-on. I was also thinking it's recent since it's non-laminated (would lamination be a good indicator for age in lumad weaps?). The scabbard is indeed atypical- I had a load of swords to choose from, but I chose this because it fit my hand nicely (again, probably another indicator of recent-ness). Most of the older-looking ones seem to have smaller grips.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by xasterix

... I was also thinking it's recent since it's non-laminated (would lamination be a good indicator for age in lumad weaps?). ...

After about 1935, and definitely post-WWII, leaf springs from cars and trucks became more readily available leading to fewer blades with laminated patterns. However, in the late 20th C, there were still village panday who could forge weld and fold pieces of steel and iron, to create laminated patterns in their blades. This was especially true in more remote areas, including parts of Mindanao and neighboring islands. Sadly, as we have discussed before, those skills are dwindling.

... I chose this because it fit my hand nicely (again, probably another indicator of recent-ness). Most of the older-looking ones seem to have smaller grips.

Yes, I would agree that the older ones often had slimmer (and maybe shorter) grips than more recent examples.

[Marbel]

Hello Ian & Xas,

In terms of the textile, it's abaca but doesn't appear Tboli. It actually looks like Subanen. I'd be interested in seeing what's underneath the textile and if the scabbard has any markings or carvings.

Your thoughts on the hilt are quite accurate I think. While he's not likely too old, he was crafted and cast very well, nicely detailed. It's nice to find the old ones, which as you both noted seem a bit thinner and smaller and usually show nice wear or patina from use.

One thing to keep in mind on these Tboli hilts is that the availability of different metals or alloys was always changing. Softer bronze or brass blends created better casts and lovely patina after use. Harder or more coarse alloys created rough casts and didn't wear well over time. In the mountains, the brasscasters did their best with what they had at the time.

[Battara]

Very nice example.

Based on the patina I would say that there is a mix of bronze dots on the bottom and silver dots on the top.

Ian and Marbel - would you say that the addition of beads on T'boli hilts like this are a later 20c development? Have never seen this on older pieces.

[Marbel]

I personally don't think much information can be gathered from anything attached to a Tboli hilt - chains, beads, bells, etc. They are obviously easy to attach and detach any time. Traditionally, brass chains and bells would be used. I think the use of beads - with or without bells attached - is probably meant to make a Tboli hilt look more attractive or authentic to a buyer, but in actuality makes it less so.

[drac2k]

The blade could be an indicator of its age. I have a panabas with a similar pattern on the blade; it was made from a huge rasp file as yours may be as well. As a result of the Spanish and the American presence in the Philippines, a large chunk of good steel taken off one of their ships would certainly be tempting. Ships needing a wood rasp probably pre WW2, so in my completely uninformed opinion, the blade could date between 1890-1939; after that, there were plenty of leaf springs as already mentioned.

[Battara]

Thank you Marbel for confirming my suspicions.