Newly acquired off ebay, more info pls
 

I just won this off ebay yesterday. Just a bit over $50US. Amazes me how these Talibon/Garab style swords are so underrated. Doesn't come with a scabbard and the handle looks to be broken. I don't care though, still looks like an excellent example to me, and I'll treasure it.

Let me know what you guys think. Additional info would be highly appreciated!:D

ebay pics:
http://fototime.com/B26AC7AD6785D8E/standard.jpg

http://fototime.com/97DC77BB074EF9A/standard.jpg

http://fototime.com/AB2D09A9B788967/standard.jpg

http://fototime.com/17E02384DE6B1EE/standard.jpg

http://fototime.com/C7EE89B9C7ECCD3/standard.jpg

Hello Dimasalang, I'm very happy to see that you won this. If I remember right this is of sword length too. :eek: The damage to the hilt should be easy enough to fix. My opinion on why these are so underrated is that there were so many tourist grade ones made that the real ones just go unnoticed most of the time. I was watching this and was going to bid on it ( I'm glad now that I didn't) but I had found something else that's coming up on epray that I would rather have and wanted to save my money for it. Congratulations on your new acquisition.

Robert

Good buy, nice project, and the Falcata shape is just lovely!

Not to mention the Western sword style carving on the inside of the grip !
Quite unusual IMO .

Will you try some restoration/conservation with the hilt ?
What is thar stuff in the pics ?
Tape, or metal ?? :confused:

I agree that Samar/Leyte area blades... actually Visayan blades in general (aside from various kinds of Tenegre), are very underrated. Many Phillippine edged weaponry collectors prefer Moro/Mindanao or Luzon pieces.

I think what can attribute to that, aside from what has been said of the tourist market, is that there is considerably less knowledge about the regions blades. The talibung style being one of the more obscure.

Very fortunate for you, however! This piece looks great, and what a steal at $50!

Thanks guys.
I haven't got the piece yet, so Im still not sure what to do with it. I do want to fix that handle piece. That black strip looks to be electric tape. HAHA

I'll post up better pics once I get it.

Ironic really...sad that they are underrated, good that they are under priced and over looked by others..which gives us folks a chance to swoop them up. I also think it is because most people are so unfamiliar with and less knowledgeable about Samar/Leyte type blades. There really is no good reference material that is easily available. :D

Definitely beneficial for you as a collector, but I do agree that it is sort of disheartening for you as a hobbyist, as the passion you have for such a blade seems not to be shared by very many.

The knowledge on my part is not there, but I love to read about the Talibung and acquire more knowledge of P.I. weaponry beyond what I hear from other eskrimadors. There's only so much FMA half-truth hearsay I can take before wanting to find out myself the reason behind the forms of my homeland's edged weapons.

Got the sword in a couple days ago. The handle is completely broken and the previous owner tried to fix it by driving nails in to it. haha And yes that is black "electric" tape holding it together. :D Either way, Im not disappointed with it...it is still all there(minus the scabbard). I never planned on swinging the thing anyways. It'll make a great wall hanger. :)

Here are a few other pics.
http://fototime.com/1922B5B8D37C244/standard.jpg

http://fototime.com/C5F505FFF65AD1C/standard.jpg

http://fototime.com/74822F6A497A808/standard.jpg

http://fototime.com/625725B836488B7/standard.jpg

Nice and unsusual Talibon. The handle can be fixed easily, very good grab!

I saw this, and I sort of kick myself for not bidding, but....
I ended up spending my money on groceries, soap, and drinks. :shrug:


That talibon looks great in your photos. I would agree that there is little known about them, and there is definitely a lot more hype regarding Moro swords. It might make bidding easier but it also means people are more ignorant about the Visayan area's weaponry. In my opinion, talibon are some of the most graceful and less well understood blades of the region. In practical use, they are very useful, having a heavy belly that can chop, a sharp point for thrusting, a heft allowing for deep wounds, but lively enough for energetic slashing. They excel as machetes also.

Thanks for NOT bidding guys! :D hehe

As true enthusiasts to these types of blades, we really know their worth...and as long as they end up in good hands of people who really appreciate them, then that is all that matters for now. Im sure one day people will wake up and realize their history and importance. Maybe someone just needs to write a book about them.
Until then, I could still use a few more.

"I could still use a few more."

Couldn't we all!! :D :) :D


Robert