PDA

View Full Version : Unidentified Filipino blade

kai
8th January 2006, 08:18 PM
Hello!

This blade (19" long, no scabbard) seems to have a horn hilt. I guess it's Visayan but have to admit that I have yet to wade through the archives for all postings on non-Moro stuff. :o I'd greatly appreciate if fellow forumites could me get up to speed on this piece!

Sorry for the thumbnail quality - I'll add better pics once it arrives...
kai
8th January 2006, 11:40 PM
One vote for Luzon via email... ;)
Federico
9th January 2006, 05:38 AM
maker two votes :D
kai
9th January 2006, 06:48 PM
And a third one via PM - thanks, folks!

Any other pertinent information like local name? (Other than sundang, that is :rolleyes: :D )

Regards,
Kai
Battara
9th January 2006, 09:44 PM
And a fourth for Luzon. The hilt looks horn to me.
kai
9th January 2006, 10:12 PM
The seller was stating wood but I was also betting on horn for this piece.

BTW, Luzon is a pretty vast area - are there identifiable local subcultures as far as weapons are concerned? (I reckon this is more of a weapon rather than a plain working bolo.)

Regards,
Kai
LabanTayo
10th January 2006, 10:55 PM
Its the infamous Inihaw Balaraw from Luzon. :):)

Seriously folks, it looks like a very good Luzon fighting knife (balaraw).
Spunjer
11th January 2006, 12:05 AM
kai,

i think i found a brother for your piece. i believe it's the same one i have on this thread:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1699

as far as subculture, i doubt if it's a tribal weapon per se; the question would be from what province it came from. i guess the term itak would suffice. here are some close ups. tho the blade shape is different, the handle is strikingly similar, and yes, mine is made out of carabao horn.
kai
11th January 2006, 11:09 PM
Seriously folks, it looks like a very good Luzon fighting knife (balaraw).
Thanks, LabanTayo!

At 19" this would be a Balaraw Mahaba, I guess? Which also comes under the name Itak (as suggested by Spunjer)?

Regards,
Kai
kai
11th January 2006, 11:26 PM
i think i found a brother for your piece.
Nice coincidence, Spunjer! The hilt is of quite similar form and construction including the brass cap (how is that secured in your piece?) and, especially, the hexogonal brass ferrule. Now, the blade is a different beast... It would certainly be interesting to directly compare their "feel" in action!

as far as subculture, i doubt if it's a tribal weapon per se; the question would be from what province it came from.
Yeah, I meant regional differences rather than it coming from any ethnic minority group. Pointers, anyone?

Regards,
Kai
Spunjer
12th January 2006, 04:12 AM
the brass cap apears to be held by a small pin, and the tang also appears to go all the way thru (as seen on the picture). as far as the spine on yours, how thick is it? mine starts off pretty thick, around 3/8 of an inch, making this a pretty hefty blade for its size...






edited for spelling