Tourist Or Child's Knife

Robert · 8th September 2010, 07:31 PM

Hello everyone, This is something else that I just found again while cleaning up. I don't really remember when I acquired it for sure. My question is, do you think that this small (barong ?) was made for those who travel or for a child? The overall length of the knife is 8-3/4 inches with a 5 inch blade. It is very nicely carved and looks to have some age to it. The way the two halves of the scabbard are held together is something I have not seen before. Any and all help with this will be very welcome.

Robert

tunggulametung · 8th September 2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Coleman

... looks to have some age to it....

Hello, I'm sorry but in my opinion the patina is not natural. I hope I'm wrong, and the knowledgable gentleman below me knows something about your child's knife.

David · 8th September 2010, 09:51 PM

I can only guess Robert, but my inclination is to say that this is something meant to attract the eye of the tourist in the marketplace.

Battara · 8th September 2010, 10:25 PM

Carvings on this are recent and made for tourists.

Robert · 9th September 2010, 12:38 AM

Hello, and thank you all for your help on identifying what this was made for. Tourist it is then.

Oh well, it will still make a nice letter opener.

Again my thanks to you all.

Rlobert

Rick · 9th September 2010, 01:15 AM

Moro piece with a Pig on the scabbard !?!?

Berkley · 9th September 2010, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

a Pig on the scabbard !?!?

Malayan tapir perhaps?

Rick · 9th September 2010, 02:24 AM

Indeed, maybe .

Still it violates the proscriptions in the Koran, no ?

kai · 9th September 2010, 02:27 AM

Hello Robert,

I'm not sure this really is an el-cheapo tourist ripp-off. Maybe made for local use but possibly post WW2?

If hard pressed, I'd guess that it may come from Palawan (or, less likely, Sabah) where non-Muslim groups have adapted Moro blade styles.

Regards,
Kai

Berkley · 9th September 2010, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Indeed, maybe .

Still it violates the proscriptions in the Koran, no ?

Not halal for dietary purposes. Since art containing figural representation of any sort is generally proscribed, it would seem that the depiction of any animal would be inconsistent with an item designed to appeal to the local market. OTOH, an image of an unusual type of local fauna would be of greater interest to transient buyers.

Robert · 9th September 2010, 06:05 PM

Hello Kai,
I think you are right about this being from Palawan. I used the search function and did a search on Palawan and found some very interesting pictures of other barongs from there. The carving, the double banding on the hilt and the unique way the scabbard is held together all point to this small knife being from there also. Migueldiaz has a full sized one that is very similar at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=palawan post#5 Now as to whether this small barong is a tourist item or for a child

??? There is also a blowgun with the same pig/tapir carved on it that is from Palawan in another thread.

Robert

8th September 2010, 07:31 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Tourist Or Child's Knife Hello everyone, This is something else that I just found again while cleaning up. I don't really remember when I acquired it for sure. My question is, do you think that this small (barong ?) was made for those who travel or for a child? The overall length of the knife is 8-3/4 inches with a 5 inch blade. It is very nicely carved and looks to have some age to it. The way the two halves of the scabbard are held together is something I have not seen before. Any and all help with this will be very welcome. Robert Attached Images

8th September 2010, 09:51 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,025	I can only guess Robert, but my inclination is to say that this is something meant to attract the eye of the tourist in the marketplace.

8th September 2010, 10:25 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Carvings on this are recent and made for tourists.

9th September 2010, 12:38 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello, and thank you all for your help on identifying what this was made for. Tourist it is then. Oh well, it will still make a nice letter opener. Again my thanks to you all. Rlobert

9th September 2010, 01:15 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Moro piece with a Pig on the scabbard !?!?

9th September 2010, 02:24 AM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Indeed, maybe . Still it violates the proscriptions in the Koran, no ?

9th September 2010, 02:27 AM	#9
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,218	Hello Robert, I'm not sure this really is an el-cheapo tourist ripp-off. Maybe made for local use but possibly post WW2? If hard pressed, I'd guess that it may come from Palawan (or, less likely, Sabah) where non-Muslim groups have adapted Moro blade styles. Regards, Kai

9th September 2010, 06:05 PM	#11
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Kai, I think you are right about this being from Palawan. I used the search function and did a search on Palawan and found some very interesting pictures of other barongs from there. The carving, the double banding on the hilt and the unique way the scabbard is held together all point to this small knife being from there also. Migueldiaz has a full sized one that is very similar at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=palawan post#5 Now as to whether this small barong is a tourist item or for a child ??? There is also a blowgun with the same pig/tapir carved on it that is from Palawan in another thread. Robert