Asian (or Indian??) billhook

[Billman]

Hi

Can anyone identify the origins of this billhook for me?? The query was sent to me via my website in the hope I could identify it. My best guess is Indian or SE Asia - it has features common to both. The gold (??) inlay of an arrow and a billhook(?) may be a clue...

The blade shape is similar to those from Kerala in India - the handle shape is not (the cord binding appears a user addition to cover a split in the wood... )

Thanks in advance....

[Gavin Nugent]

An interesting piece. It has a Coorg feel to it, sort of an Ayda Katti type blade that displays the lug on the spine too...but the hilt it bound in typical Philippine style and almost looks like a plain Kris type hilt.

Gav

[fearn]

Does the arrow mean, "this edge towards target?"

[Billman]

Coorg would go well with my thoughts of Kerala - both in south west India... Handles get replaced over time - you would not imagine that even on a European billhook the variation in shapes, so I would concentrate on the blade shape and detail to identify it...

[kronckew]

i love the inbuilt instruction manual :) how many of the intended users tried sharpening & cutting with the other side, i wonder, to prompt that, and gold inlay to boot.