Philippine Axe

Conogre · 16th April 2005, 10:05 PM

Thanks Ian.....that was my basic assumption as to origin as well, while I sat here wondering as the discussion deepened.
Of course, it stands to reason that mine would end up being slightly odd (I sometimes feel that I have an entire collection of "almosts"**grin**).
I drool over the "fingered" hilt pieces whenever I see one as they always seem to have an elegant air to them, those with exceptionally thin and elongated heads in particular.
Is there any special significance to those?

Mike

Ian · 16th April 2005, 11:42 PM

Mike:

I think yours is a good "odd." Most of the Bontoc axes we see are of the standard tool/utility variety. Nice to see the weapon-grade version.

Ian.

Federico · 17th April 2005, 02:06 AM

Mike got an axe almost exactly the same as yours (a little longer ferrule). Which when I got it, it screamed bontoc, but then it had the concave head. Im wondering if the distinction has to be more complete between bontoc and kalinga, involving more than concave and convex, to include shaft (little finger on Kalinga no finger on Bontoc), and head shape (Ive noticed the kalinga heads are longer/thinner). Does this strike everyone as a decent distinction between the two? Any other oddities that throws this off? In Krieger's plates there is a Bontoc warrior with a concave head axe, but then Ive seen other plates (eg. the earlier book that I mentioned) with the convex head. Im wondering if some convex heads were not just utilitarian. Anyways, like you Ive always drooled over the kalinga heads, definitely seen more fancier Kalinga axes (more brass decor, etc...) whereas almost all the Bontoc axes Ive seen have been far more utilitarian in look.

tom hyle · 17th April 2005, 05:58 AM

We discussed this on the old forum (hey, the search function works for me there.....); I'm not sure what the outcome was, but I THINK it was that the convex ones are tools, and all Igorot tribes had different versions (length to height ratio for blade, "nose" length.....). Maybe I'll try to check. How do I find the old forum? I forget.......Mike, the finger is great; you gotta grab the finger; you'll love it

Ian · 17th April 2005, 01:09 PM

Tom:

Go to our new Home Page and click on UBB Forum at the bottom.

Ian.

tom hyle · 17th April 2005, 02:10 PM

Thanks.

tom hyle · 17th April 2005, 03:10 PM

I read some interesting old threads, some of which hinted at there being a system of tribal distinguishment to do with straighter/more beaked cutting edge, shape of backspike, height and length of blade, but not the one I was looking for where someone actually kind of layed out at least their theory of it......

17th April 2005, 01:09 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	Finding the Old Forum Tom: Go to our new Home Page and click on UBB Forum at the bottom. Ian.

17th April 2005, 03:10 PM	#7
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	nothing to report I read some interesting old threads, some of which hinted at there being a system of tribal distinguishment to do with straighter/more beaked cutting edge, shape of backspike, height and length of blade, but not the one I was looking for where someone actually kind of layed out at least their theory of it......

16th April 2005, 10:05 PM	#1
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Thanks Ian.....that was my basic assumption as to origin as well, while I sat here wondering as the discussion deepened. Of course, it stands to reason that mine would end up being slightly odd (I sometimes feel that I have an entire collection of "almosts"grin). I drool over the "fingered" hilt pieces whenever I see one as they always seem to have an elegant air to them, those with exceptionally thin and elongated heads in particular. Is there any special significance to those? Mike

16th April 2005, 11:42 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	Mike: I think yours is a good "odd." Most of the Bontoc axes we see are of the standard tool/utility variety. Nice to see the weapon-grade version. Ian.

17th April 2005, 02:06 AM	#3
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Mike got an axe almost exactly the same as yours (a little longer ferrule). Which when I got it, it screamed bontoc, but then it had the concave head. Im wondering if the distinction has to be more complete between bontoc and kalinga, involving more than concave and convex, to include shaft (little finger on Kalinga no finger on Bontoc), and head shape (Ive noticed the kalinga heads are longer/thinner). Does this strike everyone as a decent distinction between the two? Any other oddities that throws this off? In Krieger's plates there is a Bontoc warrior with a concave head axe, but then Ive seen other plates (eg. the earlier book that I mentioned) with the convex head. Im wondering if some convex heads were not just utilitarian. Anyways, like you Ive always drooled over the kalinga heads, definitely seen more fancier Kalinga axes (more brass decor, etc...) whereas almost all the Bontoc axes Ive seen have been far more utilitarian in look.

17th April 2005, 05:58 AM	#4
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	We discussed this on the old forum (hey, the search function works for me there.....); I'm not sure what the outcome was, but I THINK it was that the convex ones are tools, and all Igorot tribes had different versions (length to height ratio for blade, "nose" length.....). Maybe I'll try to check. How do I find the old forum? I forget.......Mike, the finger is great; you gotta grab the finger; you'll love it

17th April 2005, 02:10 PM	#6
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Thanks.