Some new acquisitions

wildwolberine · 23rd December 2023, 06:10 PM

Sharing a few recent finds. These aren’t rare or remarkable but I thought I’d post them for reference.

Plamingko knife. Not old, maybe 60s-70s? Clean, unmarked tapered blade with false edge. Brass ferrule. The hilt is brownish hardwood. Pommel has deity/monster carving almost like a tenegre. The scabbard also resembles a tenegre’s, with hide near the throat and rattan wraps. Both the scabbard and hilt are heavily varnished. The blade is loose but overall it’s a nice knife. OAL 33cm, blade is 23cm by 5cm. Not chisel-ground.

Heavy bolo. Possibly WWII era? Long, thick blade with squarish tip. Faint parentheses-shaped maker marks near base. Carabao hilt with ferrous components. Extensive insect damage to horn. Tang extends through the hilt and is peened over a metallic plate. There’s tape residue or some other material on the ferrule and some of the horn. Wood scabbard with cord baldric still present. The zig-zag or lightning bolt shaped carving is interesting - I know I’ve seen this on other Philippines scabbards on the forum. OAL 57cm, blade is about 43cm by 3.5cm at base. Spine tapers from almost 1cm to 2-3mm. Not chisel-ground.

Heavy utilitarian knife with concave edge. Probably postwar vintage. Blade is marked APALIT near base. The blade is actually double concave with the widest part near the middle. Carabao hilt with brass fittings, insect damage. No sheath, it probably originally had a leather sheath. OAL 45cm, blade 31cm x 5.5cm. Not chisel-ground.

I believe these are all central Philippines items. Curious to know what local names for these might be? Thanks!

wildwolberine · 23rd December 2023, 06:13 PM

More photos of the bolo and plamingko

Ian · 23rd December 2023, 06:30 PM

Hi WW,

Nice collection of Filipino knives.

The top one, as you say, is a plamingko from the Visayas.

The middle one is from Luzon, and that distinctive scabbard comes from a specific location which I am struggling to recall. Xasterix may be able to help. The blade shape resembles a katana from Central Luzon.

The last one, which you didn't describe, is a recognized pattern from the town of Apalit in the Central Luzon province of Pampanga. It's name has not been determined here, but several examples have been discussed on the Forum.

SanibelSwassa · 23rd December 2023, 07:20 PM

Question on the bolo… do you think it was made with a square tip or cut that way later as part of a prohibition on weapons?

Ian · 24th December 2023, 04:49 AM

Hi WW. That style comes with a squared off end. For the Negritos, this was a fighting knife.

SanibelSwassa · 24th December 2023, 07:34 PM

Ian,

Maybe they were into the Princess Bride fighting style…

To the Pain

SS

23rd December 2023, 06:10 PM	#1
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 89	Some new acquisitions Sharing a few recent finds. These aren’t rare or remarkable but I thought I’d post them for reference. Plamingko knife. Not old, maybe 60s-70s? Clean, unmarked tapered blade with false edge. Brass ferrule. The hilt is brownish hardwood. Pommel has deity/monster carving almost like a tenegre. The scabbard also resembles a tenegre’s, with hide near the throat and rattan wraps. Both the scabbard and hilt are heavily varnished. The blade is loose but overall it’s a nice knife. OAL 33cm, blade is 23cm by 5cm. Not chisel-ground. Heavy bolo. Possibly WWII era? Long, thick blade with squarish tip. Faint parentheses-shaped maker marks near base. Carabao hilt with ferrous components. Extensive insect damage to horn. Tang extends through the hilt and is peened over a metallic plate. There’s tape residue or some other material on the ferrule and some of the horn. Wood scabbard with cord baldric still present. The zig-zag or lightning bolt shaped carving is interesting - I know I’ve seen this on other Philippines scabbards on the forum. OAL 57cm, blade is about 43cm by 3.5cm at base. Spine tapers from almost 1cm to 2-3mm. Not chisel-ground. Heavy utilitarian knife with concave edge. Probably postwar vintage. Blade is marked APALIT near base. The blade is actually double concave with the widest part near the middle. Carabao hilt with brass fittings, insect damage. No sheath, it probably originally had a leather sheath. OAL 45cm, blade 31cm x 5.5cm. Not chisel-ground. I believe these are all central Philippines items. Curious to know what local names for these might be? Thanks! Attached Images Last edited by wildwolberine; 23rd December 2023 at 06:42 PM. Reason: Changed order of paragraphs to match photo

23rd December 2023, 06:13 PM	#2
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 89	More photos More photos of the bolo and plamingko Attached Images

24th December 2023, 04:49 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,034	Hi WW. That style comes with a squared off end. For the Negritos, this was a fighting knife. Last edited by Ian; 25th December 2023 at 07:30 AM.

23rd December 2023, 06:30 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,034	Hi WW, Nice collection of Filipino knives. The top one, as you say, is a plamingko from the Visayas. The middle one is from Luzon, and that distinctive scabbard comes from a specific location which I am struggling to recall. Xasterix may be able to help. The blade shape resembles a katana from Central Luzon. The last one, which you didn't describe, is a recognized pattern from the town of Apalit in the Central Luzon province of Pampanga. It's name has not been determined here, but several examples have been discussed on the Forum.

23rd December 2023, 07:20 PM	#4
SanibelSwassa Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Sanibel Florida Posts: 104	Question on the bolo… do you think it was made with a square tip or cut that way later as part of a prohibition on weapons?

24th December 2023, 07:34 PM	#6
SanibelSwassa Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Sanibel Florida Posts: 104	Ian, Maybe they were into the Princess Bride fighting style… To the Pain SS