Bicol dagger for comment

[colin henshaw]

The blade on Sajen's knife looks like it could be from a US/European fighting knife (see image), or a re-worked bayonet ??

Regards.

[Sajen]

Hi Ian,

first, congratulations that you have your working time behind you! I still have some years in front.
Agree with the most you have written. Hope that we in future get more informations about Bicol blades, it seems to be one of the most unknown areas by Philippine weapons.

I wish you and all others a prosperous and healthy New Year,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

The blade on Sajen's knife looks like it could be from a US/European fighting knife (see image), or a re-worked bayonet ??

Hello Colin,
this assumption seems to be a good one. The other alternative would be that a local blacksmith had copied such a blade.

Regards,
Detlef

[Ian]

Just looking through some older threads and came across post #5 by steeldust on this thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15388

"These photos are of a Dahong Palay (rice leaf) from the town of Tabaco, in Bicol, Philippines. The blade is 17" and the "tabak" was made this year. The scabbard is tied with mono filament fishing line instead of cordage. Thickness of the spine at the handle is 4.5 mm. The short sword weighs 16 oz."

The pictures are here:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...chmentid=86499
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...chmentid=86500

Without the clear attribution from steeldust, I would not have identified this as coming from Bicol. The knife itself looks all Tagalog to me. BTW, I think the classification of this knife as a dahong palay strays quite a long way from the literal meaning of the term, and again points to the frustration (and futility?) of trying to be precise with our terminology.

Ian.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

Just looking through some older threads and came across post #5 by steeldust on this thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15388[indent]"These photos are of a Dahong Palay (rice leaf) from the town of Tabaco, in Bicol, Philippines. The blade is 17" and the "tabak" was made this year. The scabbard is tied with mono filament fishing line instead of cordage. Thickness of the spine at the handle is 4.5 mm. The short sword weighs 16 oz."


Without the clear attribution from steeldust, I would not have identified this as coming from Bicol. The knife itself looks all Tagalog to me. BTW, I think the classification of this knife as a dahong palay strays quite a long way from the literal meaning of the term, and again points to the frustration (and futility?) of trying to be precise with our terminology.

Ian.

Agree, nothing would let me think that this blade coming from Bicol, the scabbard maybe a little bit. Vexing is also that steeldust used two different terms for one sword. Would be interesting if both terms was given to him from the seller. Here we have again the "name game". But it would be great already when we would be able to tell from where a blade has it's origin.

Regards,
Detlef