View Full Version : what is this knife?
Jeff Pringle
16th December 2007, 07:44 AM
It has a horn grip, silver ferrules and a distinctive blade shape that I don't recognise, any ideas?
Lew
16th December 2007, 03:09 PM
It's a form of Philippine bolo.
Lew
Robert
16th December 2007, 06:57 PM
I believe this is a Tabak with a grip of Spanish influenced styling. Very nice, I really like these.
Robert
Jeff Pringle
17th December 2007, 12:49 PM
Thanks, guys!
;)
Jim McDougall
17th December 2007, 04:02 PM
Thanks guys ! Most interesting discussion, and its great to learn all about new weapons~
Now when I see one of these I'll know exactly where its from :)
Is a Tabak the same as a bolo? Why is the blade shaped like that?
Robert
17th December 2007, 10:18 PM
Hi Jim,
I believe a Tabak is a type or bolo that had its start in Spanish Colonial times. IF I remember right the Spanish had the bright idea that if the people of the Philippines weapons had a blunt tip that it would help to make them less prone to aggressive behavior and the Spanish safer from attack. It didn't work very well though and seems that it was just another example of Military Intelligence at its best. :D
Robert
kronckew
19th December 2007, 10:11 AM
Hi Jim,
I believe a Tabak is a type or bolo that had its start in Spanish Colonial times. IF I remember right the Spanish had the bright idea that if the people of the Philippines weapons had a blunt tip that it would help to make them less prone to aggressive behavior and the Spanish safer from attack. It didn't work very well though and seems that it was just another example of Military Intelligence at its best. :D
Robert
those who do not learn from history are forced to repeat it. the UK is lobbying along these lines now, setting us up for future meaningless and ineffective bans; releasing reports by eminent UK doctors that there is no need for knives to have points and that if only they were mfg. with blunt tips that stabbings would go down. see the existing thread on UK samurai sword ban, when will we ever learn.....
Battara
21st December 2007, 07:41 PM
This is a Pampangan tabak. Yes it is a type of bolo and typical of Pampangas region on Luzon. Robert is right in that this is why there is not a sharpened tip on the piece - Spanish restrictions. It also looks like the hilt is of horn and silver. I would place this at the late 19c.
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