Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1030 - Philippine Machete with Rattan Wrapped Wood Hilt & Scabbard

This small hand-made machete appears to have been primarily intended as a tool, but has been very nicely formed. The single edged blade is 16½ inches (42 cm) in length and tapers from 0.22 inch (0.56 cm) to 0.12 inch (0.31 cm) to where the curved blunt end begins. The back of the blade is very slightly concave and the sharp edge only slightly more convex. A widening towards the end fuller along the back is deepest nearest the edge and regains full thickness at the spine. A few small flaws in the grain attest to forging rather than stock removal; the blade has been burnished bright with a few faint patches of brown discoloration. A simple wooden hilt is wrapped with two bands of plaited rattan. The scabbard is of matching wood with a channel for insertion of a carrying cord and is bound with rattan. The end of the scabbard reflects the style of termination of the blade. Overall length is 20¾ inches (53 cm) with a weight of 14½ ounces (410 grams).

Lew's presentation of this artifact on the forums




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