What species of Philippine bolo is this?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Treeslicer

I thought that the Visayan talibon usually has a straight or concave back, rather than a convex hump, or Bowie profile, like this one does. Is this a specific variety of talibon?

Edit-- Now having the weapon in hand, it's right side chisel ground, and is differentially hardened.

Hello Treeslicer,

in this case, I mean that it has on one side a chisel ground, ACP is correct, it's indeed a talibon. Very unusual with the clipped point.

Regards,
Detlef

[Ian]

Hi TS:

I'm just catching up with your added pictures. Others have pointed to this being a somewhat unusual talibon from the Visayas. The slightly clipped blade and the atypical hilt suggest that this one is not from its usual place of origin in the Eastern Visayas (Samar, Leyte, etc.) but is probably a Western Visayan form. The "eared" pommel resembles some of the 20th C. pommel versions of sundang, tenegre, etc. from Panay. Clipped blades are also more common in the Western Visayas. The chisel grind to the blade pretty much says it is Visayan in origin, although there are blades from Bicol and Batangas with chisel grinds too.

Ian

[Robert]

The chisel grind to the blade pretty much says it is Visayan in origin,

I sorry and maybe it is just my eyesight getting worse in my old age, but I do not see a chisel edge grind on this blade. I do however believe that this piece could very easily be from Bicol or Batangas.

Best,
Robert