Philippine Axes , Bontok

drac2k · 10th May 2015, 08:41 PM

I am just getting to some of the things that I bought in Baltimore,and I rediscovered a small collection of Philippine axes which I bought. I have purchased other axes in the past, but they have all been Kalinga axes and in retrospect, these were the first Bontok axes that I've encountered, which I would have thought would have been more prevalent .
They are wonderfully balanced and sharp; most are heavy and it appears that the edges are case hardened if that is possible.A couple have museum catalog
numbers on the edges and I would guess that they are at least WW2 vintage.

Ian · 11th May 2015, 10:46 PM

These small axes are certainly different from the Kalinga "head axes," and I think most of the ones you show are probably tools rather than weapons. I have attached pictures of three other examples that were also used primarily as tools.

Ian.

drac2k · 12th May 2015, 01:02 AM

http://class.csueastbay.edu/anthropo...rafts/Axes.htm
Many Philippine weapons have a dual purpose such as the panabas, etc., and I have no doubt that these could as well.Four of the five have quite heavy blades.The above web site has items similar to mine.

drac2k · 12th May 2015, 01:19 AM

Here is an example of a warrior holding a similar ax.

Battara · 12th May 2015, 03:25 AM

In the first picture at the bottom, that axe I have seen attributed to the Ifugao.

drac2k · 12th May 2015, 03:32 AM

Thanks for the information; I wasn't sure on that one.

VANDOO · 17th May 2015, 12:22 AM

ITS UNUSUAL TO FIND A GROUP OF AXES TOGETHER AND NO DOUBT IRRESISTIBLE IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT. (INSTANT COLLECTION)

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF AXES THAT APPEAR TO BE BONTOK. ONE PICTURE IS OF ONE OF THE SMALL AXES PERHAPS MADE FOR A MINITURE PHILIPPINES WEAPON SET.

drac2k · 17th May 2015, 04:56 PM

All things are possible in Baltimore.
I think I know what the small ax is for ; I have a wonderful , approx. 3 ' statue carved from wood of an Igorot warrior, straddled over a headless body, holding the trophy(severed head in one hand), and an ax(about the size of yours), in the other.The statue is in the office ; despite all of the weird and scary items that I have brought home, this is the only one my wife has requested that I don't.Fair enough and maybe in time...............

10th May 2015, 08:41 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,175	Philippine Axes , Bontok I am just getting to some of the things that I bought in Baltimore,and I rediscovered a small collection of Philippine axes which I bought. I have purchased other axes in the past, but they have all been Kalinga axes and in retrospect, these were the first Bontok axes that I've encountered, which I would have thought would have been more prevalent . They are wonderfully balanced and sharp; most are heavy and it appears that the edges are case hardened if that is possible.A couple have museum catalog numbers on the edges and I would guess that they are at least WW2 vintage. Attached Images

11th May 2015, 10:46 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,034	These small axes are certainly different from the Kalinga "head axes," and I think most of the ones you show are probably tools rather than weapons. I have attached pictures of three other examples that were also used primarily as tools. Ian. Attached Images

12th May 2015, 01:02 AM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,175	http://class.csueastbay.edu/anthropo...rafts/Axes.htm Many Philippine weapons have a dual purpose such as the panabas, etc., and I have no doubt that these could as well.Four of the five have quite heavy blades.The above web site has items similar to mine. Last edited by drac2k; 12th May 2015 at 01:30 AM.

12th May 2015, 01:19 AM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,175	Here is an example of a warrior holding a similar ax. Attached Images

17th May 2015, 12:22 AM	#7
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	ITS UNUSUAL TO FIND A GROUP OF AXES TOGETHER AND NO DOUBT IRRESISTIBLE IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT. (INSTANT COLLECTION) HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF AXES THAT APPEAR TO BE BONTOK. ONE PICTURE IS OF ONE OF THE SMALL AXES PERHAPS MADE FOR A MINITURE PHILIPPINES WEAPON SET. Attached Images

12th May 2015, 03:25 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	In the first picture at the bottom, that axe I have seen attributed to the Ifugao.

12th May 2015, 03:32 AM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,175	Thanks for the information; I wasn't sure on that one.

17th May 2015, 04:56 PM	#8
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,175	All things are possible in Baltimore. I think I know what the small ax is for ; I have a wonderful , approx. 3 ' statue carved from wood of an Igorot warrior, straddled over a headless body, holding the trophy(severed head in one hand), and an ax(about the size of yours), in the other.The statue is in the office ; despite all of the weird and scary items that I have brought home, this is the only one my wife has requested that I don't.Fair enough and maybe in time...............