[tanaruz]

Hello Detlef,

Here are some inputs from my contact in Bicol:

1) the blade profile is indeed a 'binakla,'- even in the absence of a 'manok-manok' (serrations on the blade). A minasbad indeed;

2) It might have been forged in the Province of Sorsogon (that's in the Bicol Region). Now looking where Sorsogon is (southernmost part of Bicol)- your blade certainly have a very clear Visayan influence (your third binakla). This 3rd binakla blade has a kinabayo hilt- with, of course, a ginunting blade;

3) But the scabbard on the 3rd binakla is not Bicol. But rather of 'Visayan influence' as made mention in # 3. It would have been much nicer, he says, if the scabbard is Bicol;

Hope this clears the air a little bit. ha ha ha.

All the best,

Yves