Lumad Kampilan aka Cuban Bolo Knife?

kai · 13th February 2023, 03:48 PM

Hello Ray,

It seems to me that Ian was referring to the triangular extensions of the brass grip rather than the wooden pommel. Not sure what the Bagobo view is - it easily could be a tumpal motif.

Ian, I'm pretty sure I have seen quite a few Bagobo swords without these brass triangles - always thought these triangular extensions to be mainly found on datu-level pieces.

Albert's example certainly has an unusual pommel configuration though: While it starts out with the typical concave curved facets (which usually extend downwards to the tip of the curved pommel), this piece exhibits a kind of horizontal separation with a considerably thicker part of the wood at the lower end of the pommel. While there appear to be minor losses or wear to the wood, the additional material can't result from smoothening things out (it doesn't appear to be be a separate piece of wood added during a restoration attempt). A Bagobo variant or from one of the neighbouring groups?

Regards,
Kai

kino · 14th February 2023, 01:26 AM

Thanks for your assessment Ian.

I agree with you that the label could be entirely wrong. I can’t place much value on it being correct. The label is just like a story attached to the sword. I acquired it because of the unusual blade, not the story.
With that said, here’s a brief info on the person mentioned on the label.

13th February 2023, 03:48 PM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Ray, It seems to me that Ian was referring to the triangular extensions of the brass grip rather than the wooden pommel. Not sure what the Bagobo view is - it easily could be a tumpal motif. Ian, I'm pretty sure I have seen quite a few Bagobo swords without these brass triangles - always thought these triangular extensions to be mainly found on datu-level pieces. Albert's example certainly has an unusual pommel configuration though: While it starts out with the typical concave curved facets (which usually extend downwards to the tip of the curved pommel), this piece exhibits a kind of horizontal separation with a considerably thicker part of the wood at the lower end of the pommel. While there appear to be minor losses or wear to the wood, the additional material can't result from smoothening things out (it doesn't appear to be be a separate piece of wood added during a restoration attempt). A Bagobo variant or from one of the neighbouring groups? Regards, Kai Attached Images

14th February 2023, 01:26 AM	#2
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	Thanks for your assessment Ian. I agree with you that the label could be entirely wrong. I can’t place much value on it being correct. The label is just like a story attached to the sword. I acquired it because of the unusual blade, not the story. With that said, here’s a brief info on the person mentioned on the label. Attached Images