1st Republic Luzon Bolo

Spunjer · 24th March 2015, 07:27 PM

got back from my first ever Timonium trip, and was rewarded with this 1st Republic piece that is so hard to find. a couple things attracted me to this particular piece:
one, the intricacy on how the handle was carved out of carabao horn. there are numerous silver pins accentuating the dark background, giving it a stunning contrast. there are two or three pins missing, but it's small enough to not distract the look. also, a silver strip is missing, but from the way it looks, it must have been gone for awhile, since the patina is pretty uniform throughout.
the second reason i got attracted to this is the blade. it appears that it was a reformed budiak, making it truly unique. it does have some rough spots towards the tip, but talking to a fellow forumite, he doesn't have a problem smoothing this out. can't wait to see the final outcome. another thing is, this piece is a beast! it's about the same size as a barung...
there were some other good stuff at Timonium, something i have been missing out all these years, lol. Met some new friends as well, which is a big plus!! for sure, there will be a next time!!!

Robert · 24th March 2015, 08:04 PM

What a beautiful piece Spunjer. I can see why you were attracted to it. Can you tell me the actual weight of this piece? I cannot wait to see it again after you have had the restoration done to it. My congratulations to you on this rare and wonderful new addition to your collection.

Best,
Robert

Sajen · 24th March 2015, 09:47 PM

Hello Ron,

beautiful addition to your collection, like Robert I am curious to see it again after the blade polish. When you ever get tired to look at it.....

Regards,
Detlef

Spunjer · 24th March 2015, 11:29 PM

thanks!
as for your inquiry, Robert, it weighs a little over 2 pounds.
yes, I'm interested as well on the outcome. I will definitely post pics once I get it back. another curiosity: there were some actions going on the blade, which made us think it's laminated.

Battara · 25th March 2015, 12:17 AM

So you finally did get it! Good! Better in person and heavy (I was debating on this as well and was at his table).

mdp10003 · 25th March 2015, 12:39 AM

Beautiful!

Spunjer · 25th March 2015, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

So you finally did get it! Good! Better in person and heavy (I was debating on this as well and was at his table).

literally on the very last second! he was putting it away, and he was about to close the lid, lol. I could see it slipping away very slowly.
yeah, I've been contemplating hard about it all weekend...

kai · 25th March 2015, 02:42 AM

Hello Ron,

Congrats for obtaining this special piece with supersweet hilt!

Quote:

the second reason i got attracted to this is the blade. it appears that it was a reformed budiak, making it truly unique.

I'm not yet convinced that the blade is a recycled budiak - that would imply removing a lot of metal!

Keeping my thumbs pressed that the pitting is not too deep and am looking forward to seeing it etched!

Regards,
Kai

Spunjer · 25th March 2015, 03:11 AM

Hello Kai,
yes, they would have to remove a lot of metal, but OTOH, that would be much easier than forging a whole new blade, yes?
the overall shape of the blade just throws me off. never seen a Luzon bolo in which the median ridge this pronounced. it has a diamond cross section, much like a budiak. another thing is something that I believed we have discussed before, as in during this time period, there was a strong resurgence on anything Moro (reason you will see kris-like dagger in the Ilocos region; also how some moro krises are rehilted and resheathed, aka visayan krises). a budiak would definitely fit right in...

Battara · 25th March 2015, 04:15 AM

One additional note, Tagalog dagger blades (as well as other Luzon blades) did have diamond cross sections during this period as well.........

Maurice · 25th March 2015, 03:48 PM

Congratulations Ron,

What an awesome piece.
The handle is striking and has a good old patina.
Great carving too...

Regards,
Maurice

kino · 28th March 2015, 07:50 PM

A beautiful hilt, the details of the carvings are amazing.
I'll have to side with Kai on the blade. It seems that the medial ridge veers off center. Like most, I'd like to see the outcome of the polish and etch.

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..

24th March 2015, 07:27 PM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	1st Republic Luzon Bolo got back from my first ever Timonium trip, and was rewarded with this 1st Republic piece that is so hard to find. a couple things attracted me to this particular piece: one, the intricacy on how the handle was carved out of carabao horn. there are numerous silver pins accentuating the dark background, giving it a stunning contrast. there are two or three pins missing, but it's small enough to not distract the look. also, a silver strip is missing, but from the way it looks, it must have been gone for awhile, since the patina is pretty uniform throughout. the second reason i got attracted to this is the blade. it appears that it was a reformed budiak, making it truly unique. it does have some rough spots towards the tip, but talking to a fellow forumite, he doesn't have a problem smoothing this out. can't wait to see the final outcome. another thing is, this piece is a beast! it's about the same size as a barung... there were some other good stuff at Timonium, something i have been missing out all these years, lol. Met some new friends as well, which is a big plus!! for sure, there will be a next time!!! Attached Images

24th March 2015, 08:04 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	What a beautiful piece Spunjer. I can see why you were attracted to it. Can you tell me the actual weight of this piece? I cannot wait to see it again after you have had the restoration done to it. My congratulations to you on this rare and wonderful new addition to your collection. Best, Robert Attached Images

24th March 2015, 09:47 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,494	Hello Ron, beautiful addition to your collection, like Robert I am curious to see it again after the blade polish. When you ever get tired to look at it..... Regards, Detlef

24th March 2015, 11:29 PM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	thanks! as for your inquiry, Robert, it weighs a little over 2 pounds. yes, I'm interested as well on the outcome. I will definitely post pics once I get it back. another curiosity: there were some actions going on the blade, which made us think it's laminated.

25th March 2015, 12:17 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	So you finally did get it! Good! Better in person and heavy (I was debating on this as well and was at his table).

25th March 2015, 12:39 AM	#6
mdp10003 Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 28	Beautiful!

25th March 2015, 03:11 AM	#9
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Hello Kai, yes, they would have to remove a lot of metal, but OTOH, that would be much easier than forging a whole new blade, yes? the overall shape of the blade just throws me off. never seen a Luzon bolo in which the median ridge this pronounced. it has a diamond cross section, much like a budiak. another thing is something that I believed we have discussed before, as in during this time period, there was a strong resurgence on anything Moro (reason you will see kris-like dagger in the Ilocos region; also how some moro krises are rehilted and resheathed, aka visayan krises). a budiak would definitely fit right in...

25th March 2015, 04:15 AM	#10
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	One additional note, Tagalog dagger blades (as well as other Luzon blades) did have diamond cross sections during this period as well.........

25th March 2015, 03:48 PM	#11
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	Congratulations Ron, What an awesome piece. The handle is striking and has a good old patina. Great carving too... Regards, Maurice

28th March 2015, 07:50 PM	#12
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 973	A beautiful hilt, the details of the carvings are amazing. I'll have to side with Kai on the blade. It seems that the medial ridge veers off center. Like most, I'd like to see the outcome of the polish and etch. 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..