What is it?

mross · 31st July 2007, 06:42 PM

I was browsing ebay and this caught my eye and I won it, but what exactly is it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=140140667745

I'm pretty sure it's not a kukri.

It looks like a working knife but I have no idea as to province, looks like it could be from the Philippines. What do you all think?

David · 31st July 2007, 07:21 PM

It is most definitely from the Philippines, i would guess from the northern regions and you will probably run into much debate as to what to call it exactly.

.... maybe it's a sundang

josh stout · 31st July 2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mross

I was browsing ebay and this caught my eye and I won it, but what exactly is it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=140140667745

I'm pretty sure it's not a kukri.

It looks like a working knife but I have no idea as to province, looks like it could be from the Phillipines. What do you all think?

Yeah, I think it is a talibon from the Philippines, but there are so many small variations in styles that I don't know for sure. Probably someone with more knowledge will help you out soon.
Josh

Lew · 31st July 2007, 08:32 PM

If you look the tang is peened through the hilt. My guess is that it is from Batangas I would not consider it a talibon this looks more like a worker than a fighter. I would think this is a bolo and not a talibon.

Lew

kai · 31st July 2007, 09:47 PM

Congrats, good grab!

Quote:

If you look the tang is peened through the hilt. My guess is that it is from Batangas

Possibly a good guess: peened tang points to Luzon; round ferrule is atypical though and seems to suggest southern influences.

Quote:

this looks more like a worker than a fighter.

Nah, no "banana knife" as related by the seller - I bet the balance will prove this to be a really nice fighting blade! I'd keep my banana out of reach for sure...

Regards,
Kai

Lew · 31st July 2007, 10:29 PM

OK let me clarify. Most if not all bolos pull double duty as both a utility/worker and if need be a fighter. Most talibon are strictly offensive weapons and not meant to be used as utility knives.

Lew

kai · 31st July 2007, 11:46 PM

Hello Lew,

I wasn't assuming you were referring to the seller's blurb. However, the working bolos tend to be much more basic than blades primarily intended as weapons. The edge of the former is also less hardened AFAIK.

Here are some related examples from Luzon:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1735
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1699

Despite the differences in blade shape, they are fast, lively blades. While my example has a blade shape which is closest to a utility bolo, there are no signs of wear from daily chores...

Regards,
Kai

Lew · 1st August 2007, 12:03 AM

Kai

These are two of mine and I consider them working bolos the one on top is similar to yours.

Lew

Battara · 1st August 2007, 07:38 PM

I would also put this piece at around WWII.

31st July 2007, 06:42 PM	#1
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	What is it? I was browsing ebay and this caught my eye and I won it, but what exactly is it? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=140140667745 I'm pretty sure it's not a kukri. It looks like a working knife but I have no idea as to province, looks like it could be from the Philippines. What do you all think? Last edited by mross; 31st July 2007 at 07:40 PM.

1st August 2007, 12:03 AM	#8
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Kai These are two of mine and I consider them working bolos the one on top is similar to yours. Lew Attached Images

31st July 2007, 07:21 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	It is most definitely from the Philippines, i would guess from the northern regions and you will probably run into much debate as to what to call it exactly. .... maybe it's a sundang

31st July 2007, 08:32 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	If you look the tang is peened through the hilt. My guess is that it is from Batangas I would not consider it a talibon this looks more like a worker than a fighter. I would think this is a bolo and not a talibon. Lew

31st July 2007, 10:29 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	OK let me clarify. Most if not all bolos pull double duty as both a utility/worker and if need be a fighter. Most talibon are strictly offensive weapons and not meant to be used as utility knives. Lew

31st July 2007, 11:46 PM	#7
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Lew, I wasn't assuming you were referring to the seller's blurb. However, the working bolos tend to be much more basic than blades primarily intended as weapons. The edge of the former is also less hardened AFAIK. Here are some related examples from Luzon: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1735 http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1699 Despite the differences in blade shape, they are fast, lively blades. While my example has a blade shape which is closest to a utility bolo, there are no signs of wear from daily chores... Regards, Kai

1st August 2007, 07:38 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I would also put this piece at around WWII.