LUMAD BAGOBO BOLO

Ian · 19th May 2020, 02:53 PM

Yves:

Your blade may well be T'boli based on the shape. Their tok, or more precisely kafilan, often have these shaped blades. If so, then you are in luck because the T'boli blades are generally very good and renowned for being well tempered, sharp and durable. The hilts on the swords shown in Detlef's post (#2) are most likely Tagakaolu/Kaolu or from a closely related group (e.g., Kalagan). Your incomplete scabbard is not typical of Bagobo work, and could well be B'laan (but hard to tell from the pictures).

The short tang is not necessarily broken. Close up pictures would help, but I think these relatively short tangs tend to be the norm. I've only disassembled a few Lumad hilts, so I really have no good idea of the length of their tangs.

Ian.

19th May 2020, 02:53 PM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Yves: Your blade may well be T'boli based on the shape. Their tok, or more precisely kafilan, often have these shaped blades. If so, then you are in luck because the T'boli blades are generally very good and renowned for being well tempered, sharp and durable. The hilts on the swords shown in Detlef's post (#2) are most likely Tagakaolu/Kaolu or from a closely related group (e.g., Kalagan). Your incomplete scabbard is not typical of Bagobo work, and could well be B'laan (but hard to tell from the pictures). The short tang is not necessarily broken. Close up pictures would help, but I think these relatively short tangs tend to be the norm. I've only disassembled a few Lumad hilts, so I really have no good idea of the length of their tangs. Ian.