Alan,
Sorry, my misuse of "tool steel." I did not wish to imply tool steel of the quality produced by European foundries, etc. Rather the iron/steel that the locals used for tools, which (as you note) was whatever reasonable material they could get their hands on. Weapons were no different. Whatever materials were at hand seemed to be the norm. In India, railroad tracks were often a good source of iron, to the annoyance of the British.
In the Philippines, the Spanish did import iron from Europe. The iron came as ballast in trading ships and was replaced by local goods going back. To what extent such iron contributed to local blades is unknown.
Regards, Ian.
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