Luzon or Panay?

Ian · 19th December 2024, 10:53 PM

Thanks for the comments Rob. Yes, this does seem to be a recognized style of Philippines knife. Triangular cross-section blades are also found on swords. I have one from roughly the same period that has an inscription, Recuerdo Republicano, at forte. There was some debate about what this actually meant, but the consensus was it probably stood for "Recuerdo el Republicano," or Remember the Republican. So there may be a link to the Katipuneros. The marks on the ricasso of the knife above are not specific to the Katipunan or the Philippines revolution AFAIK.

Blades of triangular cross-section were probably made in Manila and surrounding provinces during the Spanish era. I have nothing specific to point to for this notion, other than it was the major area of Spanish concentration and the nice knife I show above likely would have belonged to a rich Spaniard or perhaps a rich Mestizzo. The yellow metal areas appear to be gilded.

The blade on that knife is pretty convincing for being about 100+ years old. It has a nice patina and the "spidery" marks of an old high carbon steel blade.

19th December 2024, 10:53 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,362	Thanks for the comments Rob. Yes, this does seem to be a recognized style of Philippines knife. Triangular cross-section blades are also found on swords. I have one from roughly the same period that has an inscription, Recuerdo Republicano, at forte. There was some debate about what this actually meant, but the consensus was it probably stood for "Recuerdo el Republicano," or Remember the Republican. So there may be a link to the Katipuneros. The marks on the ricasso of the knife above are not specific to the Katipunan or the Philippines revolution AFAIK. Blades of triangular cross-section were probably made in Manila and surrounding provinces during the Spanish era. I have nothing specific to point to for this notion, other than it was the major area of Spanish concentration and the nice knife I show above likely would have belonged to a rich Spaniard or perhaps a rich Mestizzo. The yellow metal areas appear to be gilded. The blade on that knife is pretty convincing for being about 100+ years old. It has a nice patina and the "spidery" marks of an old high carbon steel blade. Last edited by Ian; 19th December 2024 at 11:12 PM.