Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Ian · 3rd November 2006, 09:01 PM

Hi Zel:

I was interested to see you use the term "tabak" to describe this blade. As I recall, "tabak" refers to a blade mainly for chopping or cutting, whereas "tusok" or "matulis" refers to pointed blades better adapted for stabbing.

The word "tabak" also means tobacco in a couple of European languages, and I wonder whether this blade style was originally popular among Filipino tobacco farmers (who are mostly from the northern areas of Luzon), hence a "tabak," which later came to mean a bolo for chopping. Seems plausible. Any thoughts?

BTW, in some southern areas of the US where tobacco is grown a machete is often termed a "tobacco knife."

Ian.

3rd November 2006, 09:01 PM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,065	Origin of "tabak" Hi Zel: I was interested to see you use the term "tabak" to describe this blade. As I recall, "tabak" refers to a blade mainly for chopping or cutting, whereas "tusok" or "matulis" refers to pointed blades better adapted for stabbing. The word "tabak" also means tobacco in a couple of European languages, and I wonder whether this blade style was originally popular among Filipino tobacco farmers (who are mostly from the northern areas of Luzon), hence a "tabak," which later came to mean a bolo for chopping. Seems plausible. Any thoughts? BTW, in some southern areas of the US where tobacco is grown a machete is often termed a "tobacco knife." Ian.