Unidentified Filipino blade
 

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...

One vote for Luzon via email... ;)

maker two votes :D

And a third one via PM - thanks, folks!

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

Regards,
Kai

And a fourth for Luzon. The hilt looks horn to me.

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

Its the infamous Inihaw Balaraw from Luzon. :):)

Seriously folks, it looks like a very good Luzon fighting knife (balaraw).

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.

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

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!

Yeah, I meant regional differences rather than it coming from any ethnic minority group. Pointers, anyone?

Regards,
Kai

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