Puzzling Filipino (?) bolo

Edster · 5th April 2020, 02:40 AM

Could the "inlay" be a piece of torn tape varnished over? Looks like a "shadow" on the blade where the removed tape may have been? Or is it just my old eyes?

Ian · 5th April 2020, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edster

Could the "inlay" be a piece of torn tape varnished over? Looks like a "shadow" on the blade where the removed tape may have been? Or is it just my old eyes?

Ed,

You may be right. When I run a finger over the area it is slightly raised and smooth. Scratching the surface with a finger nail does not remove anything, but the blade appears to have been finished with a hard wax, probably silicone-based, which has hardened the surface and may be obscuring what is happening underneath.

Ian

Sajen · 5th April 2020, 09:36 AM

Agree, the scabbard look very Bicolano.

Intersting piece Ian!

Regards,
Detlef

CharlesS · 5th April 2020, 01:04 PM

Very interesting Ian. I am not sure I've seen a brass insert, aside from wire inlay, on a Filipino blade before.

Sajen · 5th April 2020, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

I am not sure I've seen a brass insert, aside from wire inlay, on a Filipino blade before.

Hello Charles,

You forget examples like this: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=bolo

Regards,
Detlef

asomotif · 5th April 2020, 09:26 PM

I still have my doubts about the inlay.

Look at the parts that I have marked.
There is pitting in the brass ? there is pitting on the edge of the iron/steel and the brass. Where have you ever seen that iron and brass are showing the exact sort of corrosion.
Also the file marks, they go smoothly from the iron into the brass.

Alao the shape of the inlay does not make sense.

I still go for varnish or glue remains.

Best regards,
Willem

Ian · 5th April 2020, 10:43 PM

Thanks Willem. All good points, which are particularly apparent on the blown up picture. As noted previously, the blade has been treated with a hard substance and I can't get to the underlying surface without destroying that coating. Organic solvents have not helped. I think you are correct that it is likely something on the blade rather than an inlay.

5th April 2020, 09:26 PM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	I still have my doubts about the inlay. Look at the parts that I have marked. There is pitting in the brass ? there is pitting on the edge of the iron/steel and the brass. Where have you ever seen that iron and brass are showing the exact sort of corrosion. Also the file marks, they go smoothly from the iron into the brass. Alao the shape of the inlay does not make sense. I still go for varnish or glue remains. Best regards, Willem Attached Images

5th April 2020, 02:40 AM	#1
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 415	Could the "inlay" be a piece of torn tape varnished over? Looks like a "shadow" on the blade where the removed tape may have been? Or is it just my old eyes?

5th April 2020, 09:36 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,212	Agree, the scabbard look very Bicolano. Intersting piece Ian! Regards, Detlef

5th April 2020, 01:04 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Very interesting Ian. I am not sure I've seen a brass insert, aside from wire inlay, on a Filipino blade before.

5th April 2020, 10:43 PM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	Thanks Willem. All good points, which are particularly apparent on the blown up picture. As noted previously, the blade has been treated with a hard substance and I can't get to the underlying surface without destroying that coating. Organic solvents have not helped. I think you are correct that it is likely something on the blade rather than an inlay.