Kampilan Bolo - Bogobo or T'boli or a mixture?

Sajen · 31st January 2013, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prh345

Sajen,
I see your scabbard has the rice pounder motif carved into the wood that Battara shows in his photo. I suppose this absence on mine reinforces the idea that my scabbard is Bagobo.

Peter,

like yourself, Jose(Battara) and Barry(Vandoo) I think that your tok scabbard look more Bagobo than T'boli.

BTW, a light etch with vinegar wouldn't be wrong, when you don't will like it or don't want it anymore just rub it away with steel wool.

Regards,

Detlef

Battara · 1st February 2013, 03:48 AM

I agree with Detlef (Sajen) - The etch would be original since these were usually etched by both Moro, T'boli and Bagobo. It would give character to the blade and bring it to the original appearance (although these etchings did not last too long). If you use vinegar or lime juice, you will need to heat the blade a little and put it through several washes of these mild acids.

Oh yes the scallops on my T'boli blade were stamped after the forging of the blade.

And one more thing, the Bagobo do not seem to use the rice pounder motif, unlike the T'boli and the Igorot tribes on their shields in the north.

prh345 · 1st February 2013, 02:57 PM

Thanks,

I will try the vinegar etch and see what comes out. I'll post a photo of the results.

Regards,
Peter

prh345 · 3rd February 2013, 02:23 PM

Hi,
Well, I etched with lemon juice and it did reveal figuring structures which I guess is indicative of lamination?

It is particularly evident along the cutting edge. This seems to match up with the report I found that said they split the edge and inserted steel along the cutting edge. The ruler scale where you can see it is graduated in mm.

Is this what you expected to see?

Thanks,
Peter

kai · 4th February 2013, 12:26 AM

Welcome, Peter,

Thanks for your well-researched thread!

Quote:

Well, I etched with lemon juice and it did reveal figuring structures which I guess is indicative of lamination?

Yes, definitely laminated! I think you can improve the eveness of the stain with another round of polishing and etching.

Quote:

It is particularly evident along the cutting edge. This seems to match up with the report I found that said they split the edge and inserted steel along the cutting edge.

Yes, the steel edge usually contrasts well with the lower-carbon iron. Have you checked the back of the blade? It is quite common to see traces of the steel core there, too (sandwich construction rather than inserted edge).

Regards,
Kai

prh345 · 4th February 2013, 01:55 PM

Hi Kai,

I'll follow your suggestion about re-polish and etch again and and see if anything shows up on the back edge.

This sandwich construction you mention is similar to the Japanese Katana fabrication method called "Sanmai" where the harder steel runs right through the middle of the blade. I have a Katana that uses this construction. Its only a modern Chinese version, (sadly the genuine article is way out of my reach) but still very well made and an excellent cutting blade.

Thanks for your input,
Peter

1st February 2013, 02:57 PM	#3
prh345 Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 5	Etching Thanks, I will try the vinegar etch and see what comes out. I'll post a photo of the results. Regards, Peter Last edited by prh345; 2nd February 2013 at 12:26 AM.

3rd February 2013, 02:23 PM	#4
prh345 Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 5	After etching Hi, Well, I etched with lemon juice and it did reveal figuring structures which I guess is indicative of lamination? It is particularly evident along the cutting edge. This seems to match up with the report I found that said they split the edge and inserted steel along the cutting edge. The ruler scale where you can see it is graduated in mm. Is this what you expected to see? Thanks, Peter Attached Images

4th February 2013, 01:55 PM	#6
prh345 Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 5	Etching Hi Kai, I'll follow your suggestion about re-polish and etch again and and see if anything shows up on the back edge. This sandwich construction you mention is similar to the Japanese Katana fabrication method called "Sanmai" where the harder steel runs right through the middle of the blade. I have a Katana that uses this construction. Its only a modern Chinese version, (sadly the genuine article is way out of my reach) but still very well made and an excellent cutting blade. Thanks for your input, Peter

1st February 2013, 03:48 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I agree with Detlef (Sajen) - The etch would be original since these were usually etched by both Moro, T'boli and Bagobo. It would give character to the blade and bring it to the original appearance (although these etchings did not last too long). If you use vinegar or lime juice, you will need to heat the blade a little and put it through several washes of these mild acids. Oh yes the scallops on my T'boli blade were stamped after the forging of the blade. And one more thing, the Bagobo do not seem to use the rice pounder motif, unlike the T'boli and the Igorot tribes on their shields in the north.