Bonifacio knife?

Ian · 4th August 2024, 03:10 PM

Hi Jeff,

Nice Luzon knife from late 19th C would be my guess. It is what I would call a "double-clipped" blade. If you look at the spine of this knife, there is an angle to the tip preceded by a concave area along the spine, then straight to the guard. this feature is seen on some Ilokano knives and also on some from Pampanga. The quality of finish on this one leads me towards Ilokano manufacture of the late 19th C. The scabbard looks more Pampangan, however, and the tassel on the tip of the scabbard is a known feature on some sheaths from that province.

Personally, I don't think this qualifies as a "Bonifacio" blade. The so-called Bonifacio blade is known also as "San Bartolome" after St Batholomew. There are several versions of this blade in Luzon, depending on province/culture. Most such blades are variants on a falchion style attributed to a sword on a statue of St Bartholomew in Bonifacio's home town. There is more information on the sword on this Forum.

4th August 2024, 03:10 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,167	Hi Jeff, Nice Luzon knife from late 19th C would be my guess. It is what I would call a "double-clipped" blade. If you look at the spine of this knife, there is an angle to the tip preceded by a concave area along the spine, then straight to the guard. this feature is seen on some Ilokano knives and also on some from Pampanga. The quality of finish on this one leads me towards Ilokano manufacture of the late 19th C. The scabbard looks more Pampangan, however, and the tassel on the tip of the scabbard is a known feature on some sheaths from that province. Personally, I don't think this qualifies as a "Bonifacio" blade. The so-called Bonifacio blade is known also as "San Bartolome" after St Batholomew. There are several versions of this blade in Luzon, depending on province/culture. Most such blades are variants on a falchion style attributed to a sword on a statue of St Bartholomew in Bonifacio's home town. There is more information on the sword on this Forum.