Ethnic/Historic Blades

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
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Oct 19, 2005
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Recently there was a thread on the Sgian Dubh (sp) and a South American knife I cannot remember. I am interested in these ethnic knives. Or knives with historical value like the HI Seax. You guys are the experts. Please discuss and direct me to places where I can read about or buy these types of blades. What are your favorites. Why?

Also I want to buy one of those Sgian Dubh knives. Does Sarge make them for sale? I looked online and they were mas expensive. I don't want to give up a khuk for a tiny little knive, but I'd like to carry one.

Andy
 
Don't do it Andy.:p First khukuris, then Philippine bolos, then Philippine Kris, then.......

You think HIKV is bad? Wait til it mutates.;)

Here's a link and a few pics.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/

krisoverall2.jpg


Bolo.jpg


Philippine_800x600.jpg


gunongoverall.jpg


Boloetched.jpg
 
Steve, that's a great collection. May God help me when I handle a bolo or Kris. There'll be no stopping it...

Nam
 
Steve - great pics.

What's the top knife in the third pic? Looks like a long nessmuk style to me. I have designed something similar for a camp knife. It would be great if it had an ethnic origin (my preference for all my knives).


The bottom one in that same pic is a style I've wanted to make for a long time. Guess it's about time...




(how come this thread is in the Cantina?)
 
I think you're right Steve. I love all the ones you showed. Right now I don't have "room" to expand my obsession, but its been lifelong. My father and grandfather got it too and passed it to me. My wife is aware and hasn't run for the hills. I think when we are more comfortable financially I will allow a certain expansion of the virus. Right now I gotta stick to Khuks. Except that Sign Dubh, anybody got a source for a nice little Sign Dubh?

Andy
 
Daniel Koster said:
Steve - great pics.

What's the top knife in the third pic? Looks like a long nessmuk style to me. I have designed something similar for a camp knife. It would be great if it had an ethnic origin (my preference for all my knives).
Click to expand...

Hi Dan,
Here's what I got from Zelbone on the Ethnographic forum.
"It appears to be a typical old bolo commonly found on Luzon in the Philippines. WWII does seem about right for the age. I believe this bolo might be from Batangas province and would actually be called a binakoko."

Thanks,
Steve
 
This is great reading guys. I'll be able to keep myself "busy" at work for a week on this. More!!!!
 
"binakoko" a la Google Image Search gets me this:

397b.jpg



This post on vikingsword.com
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1277&postcount=5

likens the binakoko to the bangkung. similar blades, but different hilt/scabbard....(?)

I believe the third knife in this pic is along bangkung:
Barong_Bangkung%20large.jpg


All of them share that "sheepsfoot" blade style.

A martial arts website says:

"...binakoko...named after the bakoko fish"

A quick search on bakoko fish...says it's like the Porgy.

Porgy:
red%20porgy.JPG


Which is clearly the inspiration for your piece above...gently curved underbelly, rounded "nose" down to a dropped tip.




Awesome! This is why I love ethnic blades. They always come back to nature. They are visceral....designed by instinct and necessity rather than by machine. Just beautiful.

Thanks, Steve....you've made my day.
 
ferguson said:
Don't do it Andy.:p First khukuris, then Philippine bolos, then Philippine Kris, then.......

You think HIKV is bad? Wait til it mutates.;)

<snip>
Click to expand...

Very nice collection, Steve. Beautiful!

You do need to add a barong though, and some dha/darb:p

;)
 
anything special about the fourth one in that pic I mentioned?
 
jmings said:
Very nice collection, Steve. Beautiful!

You do need to add a barong though, and some dha/darb:p

;)
Click to expand...


I second that emotion heartily! Had a barong, but it left me in one of the raffles we hold to raise money for Sgt. Khadka's son Ram. I'm always looking for a replacement, and I'm sure I'll find one!

Steve
 
This thread having good knife content would be better served in the other HI Forum, will move it shortly.:D

Great pix as usual Steve. Although I've seen some of them before I never tire of seeing them again.
I guess I should save them to my hard drive under the "Other people's knives" folder.;)
 
Daniel Koster said:
anything special about the fourth one in that pic I mentioned?
Click to expand...

Pretty much a standard Luzon bolo (I think). Horse hoof shaped handle. I picked that one up on Ebay for <$40. You see them fairly often.
 
Pretty cool stuff on here.

I picked up a Cold Steel Barong on sale some time ago and it actually turned out to be pretty nice, despite the price.

barong.jpg


I'm not finished working the handle yet but as you can see on the scabbard, the wood is rather nice.

The biggest shock came when I etched it. I know, I know, it's a through hardened production piece and doesn't need to be etched, but you know me...I'd etch my damned car if the body panels weren't made from aluminum. Oddly enough, there was something there to see - I'm not exactly sure what it is but it looks kind of neat, dunnit?

I've been looking at those kampilans that Kris Cutlery is selling. Well, those, and the espada y daga, and the barongs, and...well, everything, really.

So many swords, so little time. (And money.)

Who's up for an HI barong? ;)
 
Dave Rishar said:
Who's up for an HI barong? ;)
Click to expand...

I'd absolutely *love* an HI Barong!!!! Have a full stick tang like the standard khukuris and between 1/4" and 5/16" thick.:thumbup: :D :cool:

One of the main reasons I don't have one yet is that the antique Barongs are pure weapon and not multi-purpose and from what I can gather the modern day Barongs are the same.
I like my collection to mostly have a dual purpose at least in some manner.

I don't have many that aren't dual purpose.:thumbup:
 
What's the second knife down in Steve's post called again? My father bought a very very poor version of that kind if knife at an auction for me a few weeks ago. it's been slathered in glue, the handle is loose, and there are forging flaws all along the edge to where it has wobbled and warped. Tis an ugly knife to be sure. Might take a pic of it later.

Jake
 
Jake, I'm just learning, but I think....

1st pic is a Sundang, Sondang or Kris.
2nd pic is a bolo (don't know the exact region)
3rd pic is Binakoko, then 2 Visayan Bolos from island of Panay, then Luzon Bolo.
4th pic is Gunong or Punal
5th pic is Tenegre.

Steve
 
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