Three new Philippines knives including an Apalit bolo

[wildwolberine]

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]

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

Thanks for posting.

[wildwolberine]

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]

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]

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]

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.