Philippines

Hombre · 22nd December 2015, 08:35 PM

These were bought in the Philippines.
Tourist thing or what? Every information at all should be very much appreciated.

Best,
Stefan
Sweden

Battara · 23rd December 2015, 12:04 AM

These look like forms of Ifugao pinahig to me. Some info can be found here for you:

http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/ifugao/index.html

Robert · 23rd December 2015, 05:30 AM

Hombre, I am by no means an expert on pinahigs, but these look to be made in the traditional style and are not overly decorative so I would guess that they were made to be sold to about anyone who needed a good chopping tool. The first one however has had the monkey skull added to it and I believe that would have been done to make it more attractive to "those who travel". Having the skull added does not necessarily make it exclusively a tourist item and it would be a simple thing to remove it. I'm sure that others members with more knowledge on these can answer your question better and be able to give you more information on these than I have.

Best,
Robert

Hombre · 25th December 2015, 11:30 AM

Thank you very much for your opinions. I really appreciate it.

Merry Christmas!

Best,
Stefan
Sweden

JeffS · 9th September 2020, 03:02 AM

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Ian · 9th September 2020, 04:59 AM

Hi Hombre,

These items appear frequently in craft shops in Manila and Makati, and other popular tourist locations.They are aimed at the tourist trade, BUT they are legitimate cultural items. Robert is correct in saying that these items are very usable as tools. The rattan work on the hilts is done by hand, mostly in the traditional manner, and many have tempered blades.

Your example looks recently made.

Ian

22nd December 2015, 08:35 PM	#1
Hombre Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 232	Philippines These were bought in the Philippines. Tourist thing or what? Every information at all should be very much appreciated. Best, Stefan Sweden Attached Images

9th September 2020, 03:02 AM	#5
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 441	.................. Last edited by JeffS; 9th September 2020 at 03:04 AM. Reason: accidentally posted

23rd December 2015, 12:04 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	These look like forms of Ifugao pinahig to me. Some info can be found here for you: http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/ifugao/index.html

23rd December 2015, 05:30 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hombre, I am by no means an expert on pinahigs, but these look to be made in the traditional style and are not overly decorative so I would guess that they were made to be sold to about anyone who needed a good chopping tool. The first one however has had the monkey skull added to it and I believe that would have been done to make it more attractive to "those who travel". Having the skull added does not necessarily make it exclusively a tourist item and it would be a simple thing to remove it. I'm sure that others members with more knowledge on these can answer your question better and be able to give you more information on these than I have. Best, Robert

25th December 2015, 11:30 AM	#4
Hombre Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 232	Thank you very much for your opinions. I really appreciate it. Merry Christmas! Best, Stefan Sweden

9th September 2020, 04:59 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,522	Hi Hombre, These items appear frequently in craft shops in Manila and Makati, and other popular tourist locations.They are aimed at the tourist trade, BUT they are legitimate cultural items. Robert is correct in saying that these items are very usable as tools. The rattan work on the hilts is done by hand, mostly in the traditional manner, and many have tempered blades. Your example looks recently made. Ian