Three new Philippines knives including an Apalit bolo

wildwolberine · 8th May 2024, 02:02 AM

Sharing these three new acquisitions. Really pleased with these items. They’re finely made and well preserved utilitarian items.

1) Large APALIT marked Bowie-form bolo with large carabao hilt, brass ferrule. It’s marked PHILIPPINES but it doesn’t feel like a decorative piece. Aged leather sheath with remnants of a belt. Not sure what the digits under APALIT signify?

2) Bolo from Pampanga. Carabao hilt, unmarked blade with sharp point. Steel ferrule. Really nice hardwood scabbard.

3) Another bolo from Pampanga, with “palang” blade profile. Hardwood hilt with brass ferrule. Unmarked blade with concave edge. Tooled leather sheath with rosette.

I don’t believe these are old items or uncommon forms, but I thought I’d add them for reference (especially the Apalit bolo as there have been a number posted already)

Rafngard · 8th May 2024, 04:37 PM

The hilt form on the Apalit bolo is unusual (for Apalit). It's a cool example.

Thanks for posting.

wildwolberine · 8th May 2024, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafngard

The hilt form on the Apalit bolo is unusual (for Apalit). It's a cool example.

Thanks for posting.

Thanks! I thought the hilt was unusual as well.

Ian · 9th May 2024, 12:43 AM

ww, would you mind posting a picture of the hilt of your No. 1 in the above picture? Preferably on a plain, light-colored background so we can see the profile clearly. Thanks.

wildwolberine · 9th May 2024, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

ww, would you mind posting a picture of the hilt of your No. 1 in the above picture? Preferably on a plain, light-colored background so we can see the profile clearly. Thanks.

Of course! Here are some better photos of the hilt.

Ian · 19th May 2024, 03:50 PM

Thanks for the additional picture. I believe all three are from Pampanga, although they may not all have been assembled in Apalit. The wooden scabbard of No. 2 is of the general form of an Apalit one but I think it is a replacement perhaps made elsewhere (? USA). The hilt and leather sheath of No. 1 resemble Pampangan knives sold in Angeles City adjacent to the old U.S. Clark Air Force Base. The Base was abandoned after the eruption of Mt Pinatubo. The leather sheath for No. 3 also does not look like it comes from Apalit. I'm not sure where it's from.

8th May 2024, 02:02 AM	#1
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 110	Three new Philippines knives including an Apalit bolo Sharing these three new acquisitions. Really pleased with these items. They’re finely made and well preserved utilitarian items. 1) Large APALIT marked Bowie-form bolo with large carabao hilt, brass ferrule. It’s marked PHILIPPINES but it doesn’t feel like a decorative piece. Aged leather sheath with remnants of a belt. Not sure what the digits under APALIT signify? 2) Bolo from Pampanga. Carabao hilt, unmarked blade with sharp point. Steel ferrule. Really nice hardwood scabbard. 3) Another bolo from Pampanga, with “palang” blade profile. Hardwood hilt with brass ferrule. Unmarked blade with concave edge. Tooled leather sheath with rosette. I don’t believe these are old items or uncommon forms, but I thought I’d add them for reference (especially the Apalit bolo as there have been a number posted already) Attached Images

8th May 2024, 04:37 PM	#2
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 342	The hilt form on the Apalit bolo is unusual (for Apalit). It's a cool example. Thanks for posting.

9th May 2024, 12:43 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	ww, would you mind posting a picture of the hilt of your No. 1 in the above picture? Preferably on a plain, light-colored background so we can see the profile clearly. Thanks.

19th May 2024, 03:50 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	Thanks for the additional picture. I believe all three are from Pampanga, although they may not all have been assembled in Apalit. The wooden scabbard of No. 2 is of the general form of an Apalit one but I think it is a replacement perhaps made elsewhere (? USA). The hilt and leather sheath of No. 1 resemble Pampangan knives sold in Angeles City adjacent to the old U.S. Clark Air Force Base. The Base was abandoned after the eruption of Mt Pinatubo. The leather sheath for No. 3 also does not look like it comes from Apalit. I'm not sure where it's from.