1st Republic Luzon Bolo

VANDOO · 29th March 2015, 06:07 AM

A GREAT CATCH

IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW WHO MADE THESE, HOW MANY YEARS THEY WERE MADE AND HOW MANY WERE MADE.
JUDGING FROM THE QUALITY OF HORN CARVING, SILVER WORK AND BLADE WORK (SOME WITH FANCY INLAY OR ENGRAVING) AND EVEN THE LEATHER SCABBARDS THAT SOMETIMES ACCOMPANY THEM. THAT MEANS A VERY HIGH QUALITY SHOP WITH SEVERAL HIGHLY SKILLED ARTISTS WORKING IN SEVERAL FIELDS. THESE WERE MADE FOR THE ELITE OR HIGH RANKING OR PRESENTATION SO THERE SHOULD BE RECORDS OF ALL SUCH SHOPS ITS OWNERS AND NOTED CRAFTSMEN.
I ONLY HAVE ONE IN MY COLLECTION AND PHILIPPINE KNIVES OF THIS QUALITY ARE FEW AND COME IN A VARIETY OF FORMS BUT THE WORKMANSHIP ALWAYS LOOKS SIMILAR. I SUSPECT THERE WAS ONLY ONE OR TWO SHOPS MAKING THIS QUALITY OF KNIFE.

carlos · 29th March 2015, 08:46 AM

Congratulations !! This piece is wonderful !!! One of my favoutites types of knives ! Philippines, horn and silver !!
Enjoy the bolo !!
Thanks !!
Carlos

Spunjer · 29th March 2015, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Side note...I've been contemplating the Baltimore show, but I just can't justify shelling out for the plane fare from the West Coast, accommodations, rental car, while that money could be spent towards something that's on the auction block online. On the other hand the camaraderie with fellow members would be priceless. if you or anyone got photos of the show, post them..

it's one a year event, Al. definitely worth it. attaching pictures (sorry, kinda biased. i wished i have taken more pics, but wasn't sure how the committee people would think about it)

good point on some luzon with diamond cross section, jose! i will definitely post once i get it back.
barry, i'm with you that this type is an enigma. we do know this particular style is from luzon, but specifically what part, we don't know.
it has been postulated that the decoration on the handle of these blades corresponds with the rank of the owner in the first republic army.
thanks carlos! i was wondering if you can post yours as well? i can't seem to find it in the archives.

kino · 29th March 2015, 04:23 PM

Thanks for sharing the photos. I see nothing biased about them

.

VANDOO · 29th March 2015, 04:38 PM

THE KAMPILIANS MUST HAVE KNOWN I WAS NOT GOING TO BE THERE AND IT WAS SAFE TO COME OUT OF HIDING.

I CAN SEE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXPENSIVE TRIP JUST FROM THESE PICTURES.

NOT KNOWING THE SHOP WHO MADE THESE FANCY EDGED WEAPONS IS KIND OF LIKE NOT KNOWING THE NAME OR COMPANY WHO MADE ROLLSROYCE CARS. VERY STRANGE !! THE INFORMATION MUST BE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE AND THE COMPANY AND ITS ARTISTS DESERVE RECOGNITION AND A PLACE IN HISTORY.

Spunjer · 15th April 2015, 05:48 PM

finally got this piece back from Philip Tom. he did such an excellent job on removing the crud, polishing, and finally, etching the blade. i stand corrected in that the blade is purely Luzon. thank you guys! i took the liberty in placing it next to a barung for comparison. note the bulk on this beast. you could also see the hardened edge on it.

Spunjer · 15th April 2015, 05:53 PM

here it is compared to another itak, although the latter is more of a knife. i also notice that the smaller one has a tad more intricate decoration on the handle. the blade on the smaller piece has busier lamination pattern as well...

Sajen · 15th April 2015, 06:09 PM

Hello Ron,
again, it's a beauty beast!

It has now received the care that was needed. I am green with envy.

Regards,
Detlef

15th April 2015, 05:48 PM	#6
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	finally got this piece back from Philip Tom. he did such an excellent job on removing the crud, polishing, and finally, etching the blade. i stand corrected in that the blade is purely Luzon. thank you guys! i took the liberty in placing it next to a barung for comparison. note the bulk on this beast. you could also see the hardened edge on it. Attached Images

15th April 2015, 05:53 PM	#7
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	here it is compared to another itak, although the latter is more of a knife. i also notice that the smaller one has a tad more intricate decoration on the handle. the blade on the smaller piece has busier lamination pattern as well... Attached Images

29th March 2015, 06:07 AM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A GREAT CATCH IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW WHO MADE THESE, HOW MANY YEARS THEY WERE MADE AND HOW MANY WERE MADE. JUDGING FROM THE QUALITY OF HORN CARVING, SILVER WORK AND BLADE WORK (SOME WITH FANCY INLAY OR ENGRAVING) AND EVEN THE LEATHER SCABBARDS THAT SOMETIMES ACCOMPANY THEM. THAT MEANS A VERY HIGH QUALITY SHOP WITH SEVERAL HIGHLY SKILLED ARTISTS WORKING IN SEVERAL FIELDS. THESE WERE MADE FOR THE ELITE OR HIGH RANKING OR PRESENTATION SO THERE SHOULD BE RECORDS OF ALL SUCH SHOPS ITS OWNERS AND NOTED CRAFTSMEN. I ONLY HAVE ONE IN MY COLLECTION AND PHILIPPINE KNIVES OF THIS QUALITY ARE FEW AND COME IN A VARIETY OF FORMS BUT THE WORKMANSHIP ALWAYS LOOKS SIMILAR. I SUSPECT THERE WAS ONLY ONE OR TWO SHOPS MAKING THIS QUALITY OF KNIFE.

29th March 2015, 08:46 AM	#2
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 748	Congratulations !! This piece is wonderful !!! One of my favoutites types of knives ! Philippines, horn and silver !! Enjoy the bolo !! Thanks !! Carlos

29th March 2015, 04:23 PM	#4
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	Thanks for sharing the photos. I see nothing biased about them .

29th March 2015, 04:38 PM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE KAMPILIANS MUST HAVE KNOWN I WAS NOT GOING TO BE THERE AND IT WAS SAFE TO COME OUT OF HIDING. I CAN SEE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXPENSIVE TRIP JUST FROM THESE PICTURES. NOT KNOWING THE SHOP WHO MADE THESE FANCY EDGED WEAPONS IS KIND OF LIKE NOT KNOWING THE NAME OR COMPANY WHO MADE ROLLSROYCE CARS. VERY STRANGE !! THE INFORMATION MUST BE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE AND THE COMPANY AND ITS ARTISTS DESERVE RECOGNITION AND A PLACE IN HISTORY.

15th April 2015, 06:09 PM	#8
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Hello Ron, again, it's a beauty beast! It has now received the care that was needed. I am green with envy. Regards, Detlef