Identifying Tortoise Shell Knife

apolaki · 2nd June 2012, 12:05 AM

Hello, can anyone help in identifying this Tortoise Shell Knife? Is it Filipino by chance & what do you think about its authenticity or is it a tourist piece?

Thanks!

VANDOO · 2nd June 2012, 12:19 AM

I SUSPECT IT IS MADE OF HORN RATHER THAN TURTLE SHELL EVEN ON THE LARGEST SEA TURTLES THE SCALES (SECTIONS/PLATES) WHICH COVER THE BONE SHELL BENEATH ARE NOT VERY LARGE OR THICK. I HAVE A COUPLE OF DECORATIVE HORN KNIVES FROM THE PHILIPPINES AROUND SOMEWHERE BUT THEY ARE NOT THE SAME AS YOUR EXAMPLE.
SO I HESITATE TO SAY PHILIPPINE FOR CERTIAN. WHAT SIZE IS IT?

Rick · 2nd June 2012, 03:11 AM

The fretwork on the blade looks sort of Dyak ...

Agree; it's horn .

As for not being a souvenir; what else could it be ?

Maybe I'm running low on imagination tonight ..

Indianajones · 2nd June 2012, 11:04 AM

Hi guys, I think its Philippine too (and horn) and specificly from South Luzon, as I recognize the metal studding in X , and the shape handle; the swords like these with metal blade ("the real stuff") are actually very rare, large and belly-shaped blade with no deco on the bluntside (for the 2 examples I know/have seen).
This would be a stil quite old (1915's?) souvenir; nice n rare.
<have looked for the museumcollection sword I remember, but cant find it >

2nd June 2012, 12:05 AM	#1
apolaki Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 160	Identifying Tortoise Shell Knife Hello, can anyone help in identifying this Tortoise Shell Knife? Is it Filipino by chance & what do you think about its authenticity or is it a tourist piece? Thanks! Attached Images

2nd June 2012, 12:19 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I SUSPECT IT IS MADE OF HORN RATHER THAN TURTLE SHELL EVEN ON THE LARGEST SEA TURTLES THE SCALES (SECTIONS/PLATES) WHICH COVER THE BONE SHELL BENEATH ARE NOT VERY LARGE OR THICK. I HAVE A COUPLE OF DECORATIVE HORN KNIVES FROM THE PHILIPPINES AROUND SOMEWHERE BUT THEY ARE NOT THE SAME AS YOUR EXAMPLE. SO I HESITATE TO SAY PHILIPPINE FOR CERTIAN. WHAT SIZE IS IT?

2nd June 2012, 03:11 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,268	The fretwork on the blade looks sort of Dyak ... Agree; it's horn . As for not being a souvenir; what else could it be ? Maybe I'm running low on imagination tonight ..

2nd June 2012, 11:04 AM	#4
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Hi guys, I think its Philippine too (and horn) and specificly from South Luzon, as I recognize the metal studding in X , and the shape handle; the swords like these with metal blade ("the real stuff") are actually very rare, large and belly-shaped blade with no deco on the bluntside (for the 2 examples I know/have seen). This would be a stil quite old (1915's?) souvenir; nice n rare. <have looked for the museumcollection sword I remember, but cant find it >