And Yet Another Bolo

Battara · 3rd February 2011, 04:07 AM

It is a Tagalog piece. The tang should go through and the blade shape is Tagalog. The hilt is horn, perhaps albino carabao horn?

Congratulations!

Robert · 3rd February 2011, 04:54 AM

Hello Jose, And thank you very much for the information. The tang does extend through the hilt and as far as the horn on the hilt goes, it is very light in color but not as light as some that I have seen and have on other items. I thought it might be albino carabao horn but wasn't quite sure until you made your comment about it. One of the things that impressed me about this was how well that it had been taken care of, except for the scabbard.

The ones that I normally find are almost always covered in rust and the blades are usually bent and pretty well beaten up. I would guess that this must have been a valued keepsake to the owner. Thank you again.

Robert

Pukka Bundook · 3rd February 2011, 02:30 PM

Very nice clean piece Robert!

May I ask a question?
A Bolo and talibon, ...Is the difference the guard?..or are the terms interchangeable?
Thanks for your time!

Richard.

Lew · 3rd February 2011, 03:37 PM

Some how this does not strike me as a late 1800s piece seems newer 1930s-45 I would think?

Robert · 3rd February 2011, 07:50 PM

Hello Richard, I believe that bolo is a kind of a covers all name. While a talibon has chisel ground blade and is from the Visayans the one that I posted above has a V ground blade and from Luzon. I do believe however that it would be acceptable to call a talibon a bolo. I'm not sure if the correct name for the item that I posted would be an Itak or Matulis? If I am incorrect with my explanation I am sure that someone with a better understanding of the correct terms for these will correct me.

Lew, As far as age goes I am was only going by the information that I received from the seller. If it is true or not, who knows for sure?

I have seen this style of knife/sword before that were attributed to the late 1890s but who knows for sure if they were dated correctly? Thank you both for your interest and comments.

Robert

Battara · 4th February 2011, 12:02 AM

I think that some would call this an itak. Bolo works as well though.

The Talibon however has a pronounced "bellie", chiseled edge, and the hilt varies, but often of a particular shape, especially the early ones.

Rick · 4th February 2011, 01:19 AM

Robert, I had one of these that was provenanced to that era; it was in pretty good shape like yours .
It came with two other pieces that were definitely of the proper age .
So it's a possibility .

Bill M. wound up with them .

(that's not pitting; it's a crudely forged pattern welded blade)

4th February 2011, 01:19 AM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,348	Robert, I had one of these that was provenanced to that era; it was in pretty good shape like yours . It came with two other pieces that were definitely of the proper age . So it's a possibility . Bill M. wound up with them . (that's not pitting; it's a crudely forged pattern welded blade) Attached Images

3rd February 2011, 04:07 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	It is a Tagalog piece. The tang should go through and the blade shape is Tagalog. The hilt is horn, perhaps albino carabao horn? Congratulations!

3rd February 2011, 04:54 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Jose, And thank you very much for the information. The tang does extend through the hilt and as far as the horn on the hilt goes, it is very light in color but not as light as some that I have seen and have on other items. I thought it might be albino carabao horn but wasn't quite sure until you made your comment about it. One of the things that impressed me about this was how well that it had been taken care of, except for the scabbard. The ones that I normally find are almost always covered in rust and the blades are usually bent and pretty well beaten up. I would guess that this must have been a valued keepsake to the owner. Thank you again. Robert

3rd February 2011, 02:30 PM	#3
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Very nice clean piece Robert! May I ask a question? A Bolo and talibon, ...Is the difference the guard?..or are the terms interchangeable? Thanks for your time! Richard.

3rd February 2011, 03:37 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Some how this does not strike me as a late 1800s piece seems newer 1930s-45 I would think?

3rd February 2011, 07:50 PM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Richard, I believe that bolo is a kind of a covers all name. While a talibon has chisel ground blade and is from the Visayans the one that I posted above has a V ground blade and from Luzon. I do believe however that it would be acceptable to call a talibon a bolo. I'm not sure if the correct name for the item that I posted would be an Itak or Matulis? If I am incorrect with my explanation I am sure that someone with a better understanding of the correct terms for these will correct me. Lew, As far as age goes I am was only going by the information that I received from the seller. If it is true or not, who knows for sure? I have seen this style of knife/sword before that were attributed to the late 1890s but who knows for sure if they were dated correctly? Thank you both for your interest and comments. Robert

4th February 2011, 12:02 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	I think that some would call this an itak. Bolo works as well though. The Talibon however has a pronounced "bellie", chiseled edge, and the hilt varies, but often of a particular shape, especially the early ones.