Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1128 - Philippine Bolo Knife with a Wooden Dog's Head Profile Hilt

The single edge blade has been forged flat on one side, while the opposite tapers convexly to a very narrow bevel more recently ground on both sides. The blade has been rough forged and shaped with many remaining forging marks and striations and has a length of 10 inches (25.3 cm) with a maximum thickness at the spine of 0.15 inch (0.38 cm). The carved wooden hilt has two ribs on the central grip and terminates with a profile reminiscent of a dog's head. The knife is just under 14 inches (35.5 cm) in length with a weight of 6.9 ounces (195 grams). A carved wooden sheath composed of two sides of unequal thickness bound together by three woven rattan bands accompanies the knife. The change in wood color near the tip that is seen on one side is where the thicker side becomes full thickness. A raised area on the mouth end of the scabbard accommodates a hole for a cord. Within the sheath, the length is 15½ inches (39.5 cm) with an overall weight of 9.9 ounces (280 grams).


Philippine Bolo Knife

Philippine Bolo Knife

Philippine Bolo Knife

Philippine Bolo Knife



Return to item index page