Ilocano Knives (Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines)

[F. de Luzon]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

good point on aluminum, Fernando! i'm not sure about the knife on post #6; i can only vouch on the knife that's shown on post #8: this particular piece was a part of mine collection a few years ago. few things told me it was a later piece: the leather scabbard seems pretty crisp. the older pieces i have that were from the 1st revolutionary era that came with leather scabbards seem to have shrunk a bit. IMHO unless it was taken care of after all these years, these scabbards tend to shrink big time. another tell tale sign is the handle if it's made out of carabao horn. the horn tend to turn into this hazy, amber type. i'm attaching some examples.
hope that helps.

on the sidenote: when i went to Baler about 4 years ago, i went to the palengke and seen some knives with a similar soldier's head and flower bud handles. Also, one of the stories i've heard on what those soldier's head is suppose to represent is a facsimile of General Douglas MacArthur.

Thank you for the information Spunjer! It's very helpful. I'll inspect the fit of the scabbard and the quality of the horn when it arrives. I do not intend to insist that #6 is from the era of the revolution. I just based the assumption on the description of #8 as being from that time. I am open to any possibility and your insights are enlightening. On the origin of #6, it came from a large civil war collection in California. Unfortunately, that's all the information that could be given.

Regarding the side note, attached is a photo I found online. It's part of the collection of a former governor of Ilocos Sur. I think the hat resembles Gen. MacArthur's. Following the times, I suppose? The contemporary examples look very generic.

There's another example I saw but which I was unable to save but it had a dedication that said "from the people of Santa, Ilocos Sur." Right now, all I'm certain of is that the soldiers head pommel has been made in Santa for a long time now.

I hope to visit Baler one of these days. In case I do, I'll try to get information on their knives.

Kind regards,

Fernando

[Battara]

A few things:

1. Thank you Fernando - very helpful.

2. I agree with Ron in that many of these knives were made by non-Ilokanos. In fact, although each group makes various types of knives (especially for different uses) I question what almost looks to me that the Ilokanos made all of these knives on the forum described as Ilokano. Ian and I have wondered about the cross fertilization of aspects of the different groups, Ilokano to Tagalog and visa versa, etc.

3. Ron I think you are on to something regarding horn (especially albino carabao horn) changing look as it ages. Mine seem to. And I will also add that I have a Katipunero scabbard that has shrunk to where I can't get the blade fulling inside. On the other hand, I have another piece of the Katipunero era with a scabbard in near perfect condition without shrinkage. Storage conditions do matter to an extent.

4. It is very likely that aluminum was used more during and after WWII. However, I wonder then if the quality and style of hilt might be an additional and better determination of age rather than just the use of the aluminum alone.

[F. de Luzon]

Originally Posted by Battara

A few things:

2. I agree with Ron in that many of these knives were made by non-Ilokanos. In fact, although each group makes various types of knives (especially for different uses) I question what almost looks to me that the Ilokanos made all of these knives on the forum described as Ilokano. Ian and I have wondered about the cross fertilization of aspects of the different groups, Ilokano to Tagalog and visa versa, etc.

3. Ron I think you are on to something regarding horn (especially albino carabao horn) changing look as it ages. Mine seem to. And I will also add that I have a Katipunero scabbard that has shrunk to where I can't get the blade fulling inside. On the other hand, I have another piece of the Katipunero era with a scabbard in near perfect condition without shrinkage. Storage conditions do matter to an extent.

4. It is very likely that aluminum was used more during and after WWII. However, I wonder then if the quality and style of hilt might be an additional and better determination of age rather than just the use of the aluminum alone.

You're welcome, Battara! I agree with you on all points.