Dagger for id and suggestions for care

[imas560]

Hello all,
a dagger has arrived and I was wondering if I could get an ID on type of blade, origin and age. Also there is script on the blade so was wondering before I got out the 0000 steel wool and oil if any precautions or alternative care should be taken?
Overall length approx 1 foot/30 cm.
I thought Moro Punal/Gunong but the handle I'm not sure about.
thanks

[David]

Well, i'd call it a gunong, but the handle looks more like a badik or something. Could have been added latter or might be original.
What i am more interested in is the engraved script. Your photos don't really help. Can you read it?
I seriously doubt that 0000 steel wool and some WD-40 will do any damage to the engraving.

[Battara]

I wonder if this is Visayan. The blade may have been Moro but the hilt and script I wonder may be Visayan.

[Robert]

I do not know if this will help or not but here is the writing on the blade. I hope I have it right side up.

[imas560]

thanks for the feedback. I am trying to figure out how to bring the script up without touching the blade.
If I may ask, how did you make the script clearer Robert?
thanks

[Robert]

If I may ask, how did you make the script clearer Robert?
I used Photo Editor.

Robert

[Battara]

Although I can't really make out the script, it does look like Spanish to me, thus suggesting Visayan ownership. This also suggests that it comes from the turn if the century at the latest.

Perhaps a pencil rubbing can bring out the words.

[Robert]

This is the best that I can do to bring out the writing without a better photo to work from.

[imas560]

Hello all,
thanks for helping with the script.
I've taken a few more photos but they're not the best.
I'll get on to the steel wool and oil soon.
Hopefully it will yield better results.
thanks again

[Robert]

I'm with Jose, I believe that a pencil rubbing would more than likely produce the best results.

[imas560]

apologies, I missed that bit. I'll give the pencil rubbing a go

[imas560]

Managed to get possibly better photos from the blade side with the most legible script.
Thanks for looking at for me

[Robert]

Here goes.

[imas560]

thanks Robert