PBH,
I was traveling when I last wrote to you and did not have access to my archives. Attached is a picture of the one I mentioned earlier. It is rather short for a panabas, measuring 26 inches overall, and was made in the late 20th C. I purchased it in Davao City in 2005 and was told it was from the Lake Lanao region (i.e., Maranao in manufacture). Note that my example also has evidence of similar file work at its end as does yours, and I suspect they share a common heritage. The finger cut outs on mine are something I have not seen on other panabas or tabas--I think they improve the ergonomics for chopping with this weapon/tool.
Ian.
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