Marbel, thanks for the information about how these hilts were decorated. Some time ago while in southern Mindanao I had the opportunity to visit a Tboli smith. His tools were fairly standard for a village smith although his forge had a western style bellows rather than a more traditional type. His mother was involved with the making of hilts (he had no sisters and was unmarried) but I did not see her at work. I did see some of her tools, many of which were fine iron needles, and she had a few pieces of well worn paper with hand drawn designs to work from. Unfortunately, they were very superstitious people who did not allow me to photograph them or their home. I don't recall seeing the copper wire forms that you mention, but these could have been in a number of small containers lying on the floor next to the low table where she worked.
Have you visited Mindanao? You seem to know quite a lot about weapons of the area.
Ian.
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