African or Philippine ??

drac2k · 27th October 2017, 03:00 AM

Will do and thanks for your imput.The total length was given to be 19".

Battara · 27th October 2017, 11:13 PM

Detlef, I considered the carving being Bicolano, but again the style and motif don't fit well at all in my opinion.

Ian · 28th October 2017, 12:10 AM

Hi drac2K:

I don't think this one is Filipino. Battara has given the same reasons that I would for thinking it came from elsewhere. Maybe African or from somewhere else.

Interesting knife.

Ian.

Sajen · 28th October 2017, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Detlef, I considered the carving being Bicolano, but again the style and motif don't fit well at all in my opinion.

Hello Jose,

like said, I don't say that it is Bicolano but before I rule it out I would like to see better pictures. In the meanwhile I post a picture from a very interesting Bicol bolo which Rick sold recently for comparison. Let's wait until Drac2k will be able to show better pictures. I am special curious to see pictures from the cleaned blade since I think that the execution of forging can give us hints if the "bolo" in question could come from Africa or somewhere else. But agree with you and Ian that the pommel carving would be more as unusual for a Bicol carving.

Best regards,
Detlef

drac2k · 28th October 2017, 12:08 PM

Very interesting Detlef; is the blade similar?

Sajen · 28th October 2017, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Very interesting Detlef; is the blade similar?

Hello Drac2k,

no, not. But I want to show why I don't want to rule out Bicol.

Regards,
Detlef

Jim McDougall · 28th October 2017, 04:13 PM

This is really interesting, and I know little on Philippines weapons other than just comparative references and I would be torn between African and those archipelagos in Philippine regions.
However, for the hilt I think Detlef has shown compelling comparison for Bicolano, and the similarity is enough that subtle deviation might be attributed to artisan styling.

As far as the blades, there is so much remounting of blades into local hilts and generational refurbishing I would think it would be hard to conclusively classify a weapon by focus on either component. The best we can estimate is possibly a proclivity to the hilt region as that is usually the determining factor as a local preference, while blades travelled considerably.

Looking forward to what you guys, whose knowledge of these weapons is fascinating, will determine.

drac2k · 28th October 2017, 05:08 PM

I think close-ups of the cleaned blade and the material that the handle is wrapped in will help in the determination of origin.

27th October 2017, 03:00 AM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,186	Will do and thanks for your imput.The total length was given to be 19".

27th October 2017, 11:13 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Detlef, I considered the carving being Bicolano, but again the style and motif don't fit well at all in my opinion.

28th October 2017, 12:10 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,043	Hi drac2K: I don't think this one is Filipino. Battara has given the same reasons that I would for thinking it came from elsewhere. Maybe African or from somewhere else. Interesting knife. Ian.

28th October 2017, 12:08 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,186	Very interesting Detlef; is the blade similar?

28th October 2017, 04:13 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,785	This is really interesting, and I know little on Philippines weapons other than just comparative references and I would be torn between African and those archipelagos in Philippine regions. However, for the hilt I think Detlef has shown compelling comparison for Bicolano, and the similarity is enough that subtle deviation might be attributed to artisan styling. As far as the blades, there is so much remounting of blades into local hilts and generational refurbishing I would think it would be hard to conclusively classify a weapon by focus on either component. The best we can estimate is possibly a proclivity to the hilt region as that is usually the determining factor as a local preference, while blades travelled considerably. Looking forward to what you guys, whose knowledge of these weapons is fascinating, will determine.

28th October 2017, 05:08 PM	#8
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,186	I think close-ups of the cleaned blade and the material that the handle is wrapped in will help in the determination of origin.