Laminated Luzon Daga

Robert · 2nd November 2009, 02:36 AM

"Can you please describe for us how it is triangular-sectioned?"

The blade is flat on the side not showing while the side shown has a raised median ridge with only the lower edge being sharpened starting from about an inch or so from the hilt. The top section has a false edge that starts about an inch or so from the hilt and continues to the tip of the blade. The picture shown in the plate is not to clear and the description is rather vague so I posted this piece to see if you thought it might be close to what you were asking for.

Robert

Battara · 2nd November 2009, 04:04 AM

Both Robert's and Dimasalang's pieces in blade shape are similar to mine which I attribute to Tagalog (and in this case Katipunan). I also feel that your's are as well. Migueldiaz brings up a good source for this in his book. Again, Dimasalang's is more laminated than mine:

migueldiaz · 2nd November 2009, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Both Robert's and Dimasalang's pieces in blade shape are similar to mine which I attribute to Tagalog (and in this case Katipunan). I also feel that your's are as well. Migueldiaz brings up a good source for this in his book. Again, Dimasalang's is more laminated than mine:

Battara, isn't it interesting to note that these Luzon swords' blade shape is very similar to the traditional Visayan (Cebu-Samar-Leyte) talibong? (i.e., straight spine, and convex cutting edge).

My own guess as to why is that is because it's inevitable -- Luzon trades with and occasionally raids the Visayans (and vice versa), even before the colonial times. Thus, cross-pollination is bound to happen

Robert · 2nd November 2009, 08:02 PM

Dimasalang,
Very nice dagger! First one I've seen with a checkered grip.

Here is another knife that might be of interest to you. Median ridge on one side only (opposite side is flat) with only lower edge sharpened. Blade seems to be laminated but I have yet to try vinegar to bring it out. Brought back by American Serviceman Joseph Latterty and was supposedly captured during the Battle of Manila. The total length is 16-1/2 inches with a blade length of 12-3/4 inches. Sorry about the poor picture quality.

Robert

Dimasalang · 2nd November 2009, 11:56 PM

Thanks all for sharing!

Following Miguels assessment. Agreed, the ethnic groups within the Philippines during this time were not truly separated. Transportation and traveling by boat was as common as flying now-a-days, and Manila(as it is now) was seen as a city of opportunity. Some of the revolutionary leaders were from other regions of the Philippines. Gen Jose Paua was full chinese, Gen Juan Cailles was half french and half indian(from India). Not to hard to believe a panday from the middle and southern regions may have worked his way up to Luzon. Pandays must have been in high demand during the time of the revolution and the Phil-Am war. Very interesting none-the-less.

Robert, interesting piece and history you got there. Not to go off on a tangent, but this reminded me of a sword I tried to attain a few months back. It was listed as a Manila sword and inscribed was the date and a persons name. That was all. I did my own research and found the person to be a sailor of the McColloch. The McColloch took a small part in the Battle of Manila Bay, but it was not a warship. After the battle, it was this ship that Aguinaldo and his Generals rode back on when they returned from self-exile from Hong Kong...for the longest time I thought they came back on the Olympia w/ Dewey. The date was a month or so after the battle of Manila, it was acquired during peace time. Given Aguinaldo and his generals were the only armed filipinos on board that ship, it led me to believe this had to be a sword that belonged to one of Aguinaldos generals. The sword was on the site for a good year and I was gradually saving up for it...once I had the funds I sent a email, the next day I got a reply and they just sword sold the sword two weeks prior.

migueldiaz · 2nd November 2009, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Coleman

"Can you please describe for us how it is triangular-sectioned?"

The blade is flat on the side not showing while the side shown has a raised median ridge with only the lower edge being sharpened starting from about an inch or so from the hilt. The top section has a false edge that starts about an inch or so from the hilt and continues to the tip of the blade. The picture shown in the plate is not to clear and the description is rather vague so I posted this piece to see if you thought it might be close to what you were asking for.

Robert

Robert, many thanks sir

Looks like it's exactly what I've been looking for.

By the way, that dagger of yours is very interesting because its leather scabbard points to a Luzon origin ... but the parallel engraved lines on the ricasso suggest a Visayan influence, if not origin.

I recently got a piece which has similar features (below) -- it's a Luzon sword but I think those parallel lines in the ricasso hints on Visayan influence ...

2nd November 2009, 04:04 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,341	Both Robert's and Dimasalang's pieces in blade shape are similar to mine which I attribute to Tagalog (and in this case Katipunan). I also feel that your's are as well. Migueldiaz brings up a good source for this in his book. Again, Dimasalang's is more laminated than mine: Attached Images

2nd November 2009, 08:02 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Dimasalang, Very nice dagger! First one I've seen with a checkered grip. Here is another knife that might be of interest to you. Median ridge on one side only (opposite side is flat) with only lower edge sharpened. Blade seems to be laminated but I have yet to try vinegar to bring it out. Brought back by American Serviceman Joseph Latterty and was supposedly captured during the Battle of Manila. The total length is 16-1/2 inches with a blade length of 12-3/4 inches. Sorry about the poor picture quality. Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert Coleman; 2nd November 2009 at 08:15 PM.

2nd November 2009, 02:36 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	"Can you please describe for us how it is triangular-sectioned?" The blade is flat on the side not showing while the side shown has a raised median ridge with only the lower edge being sharpened starting from about an inch or so from the hilt. The top section has a false edge that starts about an inch or so from the hilt and continues to the tip of the blade. The picture shown in the plate is not to clear and the description is rather vague so I posted this piece to see if you thought it might be close to what you were asking for. Robert

2nd November 2009, 11:56 PM	#5
Dimasalang Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 264	Thanks all for sharing! Following Miguels assessment. Agreed, the ethnic groups within the Philippines during this time were not truly separated. Transportation and traveling by boat was as common as flying now-a-days, and Manila(as it is now) was seen as a city of opportunity. Some of the revolutionary leaders were from other regions of the Philippines. Gen Jose Paua was full chinese, Gen Juan Cailles was half french and half indian(from India). Not to hard to believe a panday from the middle and southern regions may have worked his way up to Luzon. Pandays must have been in high demand during the time of the revolution and the Phil-Am war. Very interesting none-the-less. Robert, interesting piece and history you got there. Not to go off on a tangent, but this reminded me of a sword I tried to attain a few months back. It was listed as a Manila sword and inscribed was the date and a persons name. That was all. I did my own research and found the person to be a sailor of the McColloch. The McColloch took a small part in the Battle of Manila Bay, but it was not a warship. After the battle, it was this ship that Aguinaldo and his Generals rode back on when they returned from self-exile from Hong Kong...for the longest time I thought they came back on the Olympia w/ Dewey. The date was a month or so after the battle of Manila, it was acquired during peace time. Given Aguinaldo and his generals were the only armed filipinos on board that ship, it led me to believe this had to be a sword that belonged to one of Aguinaldos generals. The sword was on the site for a good year and I was gradually saving up for it...once I had the funds I sent a email, the next day I got a reply and they just sword sold the sword two weeks prior.