Visayan Knife

Robert · 2nd June 2016, 04:01 PM

I thought that I would post a few photos of a rather different Visayans knife that I have. It has a total length of 11 inches. a laminated blade 7-1/8 inches in length, 1-1/2 inches at its widest point and the spine is 1/4 inch thick at the hilt. The hilt is carved buffalo horn in the form of possibly a demon or a lion? I will have to make a rawhide throat piece and brass plate (now missing) that were originally held by the two copper nails that are still in their original positions on the front of the scabbard. I would very much like to hear your thoughts on this piece, especially on what this style of knife might have been called, its age and what the hilt carving might represent.

Best,
Robert

Sajen · 2nd June 2016, 07:25 PM

Hello Robert,

a nice and interesting little knife and it will have for sure a local name which I don't know. Hope that someone else will be able to tell more about it as I am able to do. I would call the pommel figure Anito and not Bakunawa, see here, post 4: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=bakunawa
I think that it is a village made personal utility/fighting knife. Much to less is known special about the small Visayan knives.

Best regards,
Detlef

Robert · 3rd June 2016, 03:02 AM

Hello Detlef,
Thank you for your interest and observations on this unusual piece as well as the the link that you have provided to the very informative posting by Bangkaya. After reading what he had to say I must agree this knife would have what he has described as a figural anito head pommel. At least if the same terminology covers the hilts used on knives as well as sword hilts. Like you I am still hoping that someone here on the forum will be able to supply a local name or term for this particular style of knife.

Best,
Robert

Battara · 3rd June 2016, 03:48 AM

Interesting piece. The blade sort of looks plamenko-ish.

Wish I could be of more help. I do agree that it does not look like a Bakunawa head, so an anito or an engkanto head could be right.

Spunjer · 3rd June 2016, 10:58 PM

it is a plamenko

Sajen · 3rd June 2016, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

it is a plamenko

Hello Ron,

isn't the blade form not very unusual for a plamenko, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=plamenko

Best regards,
Detlef

2nd June 2016, 04:01 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Visayan Knife I thought that I would post a few photos of a rather different Visayans knife that I have. It has a total length of 11 inches. a laminated blade 7-1/8 inches in length, 1-1/2 inches at its widest point and the spine is 1/4 inch thick at the hilt. The hilt is carved buffalo horn in the form of possibly a demon or a lion? I will have to make a rawhide throat piece and brass plate (now missing) that were originally held by the two copper nails that are still in their original positions on the front of the scabbard. I would very much like to hear your thoughts on this piece, especially on what this style of knife might have been called, its age and what the hilt carving might represent. Best, Robert Attached Images

2nd June 2016, 07:25 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,516	Hello Robert, a nice and interesting little knife and it will have for sure a local name which I don't know. Hope that someone else will be able to tell more about it as I am able to do. I would call the pommel figure Anito and not Bakunawa, see here, post 4: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=bakunawa I think that it is a village made personal utility/fighting knife. Much to less is known special about the small Visayan knives. Best regards, Detlef

3rd June 2016, 03:02 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Detlef, Thank you for your interest and observations on this unusual piece as well as the the link that you have provided to the very informative posting by Bangkaya. After reading what he had to say I must agree this knife would have what he has described as a figural anito head pommel. At least if the same terminology covers the hilts used on knives as well as sword hilts. Like you I am still hoping that someone here on the forum will be able to supply a local name or term for this particular style of knife. Best, Robert

3rd June 2016, 03:48 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Interesting piece. The blade sort of looks plamenko-ish. Wish I could be of more help. I do agree that it does not look like a Bakunawa head, so an anito or an engkanto head could be right.

3rd June 2016, 10:58 PM	#5
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	it is a plamenko