Filipino Bush Knives

[bearthedog]

A few months ago I was visiting the Philippines hiking, hunting for bolos, and doing some photography. As my sights were set on big choppers, I wasn’t expecting to find these very able small fixed blades. In some regions (visayas region), knives of this size are called Slamingkos with a 5-7 inch-long blade that serves as an all around fishing/bush knife. It was explained to me that it’s also used as a pig sticker and a table knife. I just wanted to share a few of these hand forged bush knives with you guys.

Maybe Untamed or Ray Laconica could comment and add or correct me on some of this stuff.

-RB

This is how they started out. Old leaf springs, most likely 5160 steel.

The final product

A bush knife from the mountains of Banaue near the rice terraces.

With wooden sheath

This is what I look like melting in 42C

This is from a little further down south in the Visayas region, Bohol to be exact.
A pretty rough looking blade that cuts like a scalpel. Also with a convex edge.

 

[Fonly]

wow, there is something very appealing about them isn't there?

Cool, thanks for the pics.:thumbup:

 

[bearthedog]

Dude used these stones for the convex

 

[Mentor]

Very cool indeed. It's great to see the making of a bush knife, especially a user. Thanks for posting.

I think that 42 C would be the end of me. I get uncomfortable just imagining it!

All the best,

- Mike

 

[Rockywolf]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing your adventures!

 

[bearthedog]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing your adventures!

Steve,

I'd like to see you try to buy one of these.

-RB

 

[tknife]

Those look really nice. I have always been interested in knives of other cultures because they tend to use the hell out of their knives as part of every day life. That knife from trace looks pretty sweet too.

 

[DWK2]

Nice rugged looking blades! I spent quite a few years at a Filipino Martial Arts Academy and that country definitely has the heritage of a blade culture. Lots of varieties. The one thing you don't see too often is a double-edged knife.

Thanks for enduring that oven to get the images.

DancesWithKnives

 

[Nightshifter]

Thanks for the nice photos. I too like to see working knives from other parts of the world. I believe these are some of the same knives you had in a Tactical Knife article. Correct me if I'm wrong. Great article there also.

 

[leon08]

Hi, nice tools you have there.
I have a friend who practice Pekiti Tirsia kali and he is a fan of all South Asia martial arts.
At his idea I forge this two parangs. A little bit too fine finish but they work great in forest.
I guess You dont mind if I post some pictures.

I added some european flavor in design.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

wow... great stuff Reuben.. :thumbup: i would love to have witnessed those being made, and also would have loved to bring one home too..

 

[bearthedog]

Thanks for the nice photos. I too like to see working knives from other parts of the world. I believe these are some of the same knives you had in a Tactical Knife article. Correct me if I'm wrong. Great article there also.

The TK story was on the big bad ass bolo style blades. The two big golok looking monsters above were in there. These small bushy blades were tucked into peoples wais bands. If I didn't mention it before, I meant to. These knives are super sharp. Think David Farmer sharp and then you get an idea. For looking so rough, the convex is dead on.

Those look really nice. I have always been interested in knives of other cultures because they tend to use the hell out of their knives as part of every day life. That knife from trace looks pretty sweet too.

Trace makes a sweet tool! Hey now that I think of it, we are all from CA!

wow... great stuff Reuben.. :thumbup: i would love to have witnessed those being made, and also would have loved to bring one home too..

They were hard to get back here. I tried to send my big bolos for the article to Terrill for photos. but they said they were illegal to send from the Manila post. I did it the old fashioned way...no, I didn't keister them. I added them to my check-in bags and thought happy thoughts!

-RB

 

[bearthedog]

I am uploading pictures from the forge!

-RB

 

[Shotgun]

What are the specs on these as far as thickness? Cool knives. I really like that first one.

 

[bearthedog]

 

[bearthedog]

These were in the TK article

 

[lmalterna]

Bear,
My trip to Bohol was touristy and only included The Chocolate Hills and Panglao Island. Having a personal security can be a very good idea. I do wish I could have hit some smaller places like you saw. Tagbiliran airport can be tricky for flying knives out of. Just ask if they sell the "special permit" there....
Mabuhay!
2Door

 

[bearthedog]

Bear,
My trip to Bohol was touristy and only included The Chocolate Hills and Panglao Island. Having a personal security can be a very good idea. I do wish I could have hit some smaller places like you saw. Tagbiliran airport can be tricky for flying knives out of. Just ask if they sell the "special permit" there....
Mabuhay!
2Door

Special permit huh? I will ask next time. I got a funny Tagiliran airport story for you. I walked up to the check in counter to fly back to Manila and gave them my name. As I was reaching for my passport to show them I am who I say and all that, they just gave me my boarding pass and said, "Next."

Manila airport is the heaviest security I have seen in about 20 countries. That place is tighter than my snare drum. I remember putting my bags through and watching the nice lady look at the monitor and then me. All she asked was if I was going to be checking them in. It went smooth, but if it didn't I would have to pull out an Abe Lincoln!

-RB

 

[raylaconico]

Very cool pictures. I haven't been to the Philipines since I left the country back in 1982.

 

[bearthedog]

Very cool pictures. I haven't been to the Philipines since I left the country back in 1982.

Ray, anything you want to add?
I met the coolest couple on the planet in Bohol, they were from Cebu. I think you said you were from there too.

-RB