Probably from the Philippines

RobT · 30th March 2005, 03:50 AM

I find the notches at the base of the blade curious. Nothing in my admittedly small Philippine collection has this feature. Are they characteristic of Negrito blades? They look like they might be uncomfortable if the blade was used in a thrust. Were they put there to stop the hand from sliding up the blade? Are they be sufficiently large to do so? The blade also seems thinner at the spine than the typical Philippine knife and, on top of that, appears to have a fuller. Why so thin? Is this common in Negrito blades?

Ian · 30th March 2005, 05:24 AM

I think this is a "trench knife" from WW II.

The hilt seems to have been made for the blade, but is not "culturally" appropriate for that blade. Does anyone else think the brass ferrule looks like a shell case? Likewise the scabbard has elements of Visayan composition but just does not come together as it should and is not recognisable as any particular native production. I don't think the blade is Visayan.

This is a knife that needs a small guard if it is to be used for anything more strenuous than cutting food.

fearn · 30th March 2005, 05:25 AM

I wonder if it's missing a disk guard?

Personally, that hilt reminds me of that infamous T-hilted bolo that showed up a few months ago. Obviously it's not the same thing, but that long brass ferrule looks familiar for some reason. Makes me wonder if a guard was taken off at some point.

Fearn

Conogre · 30th March 2005, 08:25 PM

A trench knife is a distinct possibility, but in remote regions blades were regularly re-hilted and not necessarily by the people that made them......while I get a Negrito feel for this piece I'd almost bet the blade originated elsewhere.
Likewise, shell casings were often used on a village level for almost everything....my only experience in this was in Vietnam, but over there shell casing were eagerly sought after and the brass highly valued.
As to "throwing the old scabbard away and making a new one" that was almost NEVER done on a tribal level.....if you've ever tried to make anything with only rudimentry hand tools out of trees rather than lumber you'd understand entirely, with a scabbard such as this taking literally days to fashion.
Mike

30th March 2005, 03:50 AM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 594	what are the notches? I find the notches at the base of the blade curious. Nothing in my admittedly small Philippine collection has this feature. Are they characteristic of Negrito blades? They look like they might be uncomfortable if the blade was used in a thrust. Were they put there to stop the hand from sliding up the blade? Are they be sufficiently large to do so? The blade also seems thinner at the spine than the typical Philippine knife and, on top of that, appears to have a fuller. Why so thin? Is this common in Negrito blades?

30th March 2005, 05:24 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,613	I think this is a "trench knife" from WW II. The hilt seems to have been made for the blade, but is not "culturally" appropriate for that blade. Does anyone else think the brass ferrule looks like a shell case? Likewise the scabbard has elements of Visayan composition but just does not come together as it should and is not recognisable as any particular native production. I don't think the blade is Visayan. This is a knife that needs a small guard if it is to be used for anything more strenuous than cutting food.

30th March 2005, 05:25 AM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	I wonder if it's missing a disk guard? Personally, that hilt reminds me of that infamous T-hilted bolo that showed up a few months ago. Obviously it's not the same thing, but that long brass ferrule looks familiar for some reason. Makes me wonder if a guard was taken off at some point. Fearn

30th March 2005, 08:25 PM	#4
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	A trench knife is a distinct possibility, but in remote regions blades were regularly re-hilted and not necessarily by the people that made them......while I get a Negrito feel for this piece I'd almost bet the blade originated elsewhere. Likewise, shell casings were often used on a village level for almost everything....my only experience in this was in Vietnam, but over there shell casing were eagerly sought after and the brass highly valued. As to "throwing the old scabbard away and making a new one" that was almost NEVER done on a tribal level.....if you've ever tried to make anything with only rudimentry hand tools out of trees rather than lumber you'd understand entirely, with a scabbard such as this taking literally days to fashion. Mike