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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
I'm going to the Philippines....
- Thread starter Gary007
- Start date
If you check the street markets you will find various sized bowie-type blades made from Jeep springs with buffaloe horn handles. They are somewhat crude but very efficient.
I have a big one in by garage for general chopping purposes when I forgot where I left my machete. About once a year I put it on the wire wheel on my grinder to polish off the rust and give it a sharpening then back into the corner of the garage. It is over 30 years old and I have never had to tighten the water buffaloe horn handle. I don't think I paid more than $5 for it. It even came with a buffaloe skin sheath. I bought it in northern Luzon not Manilla but I would think if you look you'll find something. The better shops probably have an international selection from Victorinox to Gerber.
I have a big one in by garage for general chopping purposes when I forgot where I left my machete. About once a year I put it on the wire wheel on my grinder to polish off the rust and give it a sharpening then back into the corner of the garage. It is over 30 years old and I have never had to tighten the water buffaloe horn handle. I don't think I paid more than $5 for it. It even came with a buffaloe skin sheath. I bought it in northern Luzon not Manilla but I would think if you look you'll find something. The better shops probably have an international selection from Victorinox to Gerber.
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2004
- Messages
- 476
Does anyone know how dificult this stuff would be to get back through customs? I ask this only because I hope to take a trip with my wife and in-laws to visit some of thier family there in the next year or so. Just curious.
Mike
Mike
The only good production knives I've seen being sold in Manila are Victorinox, Gerber and Buck. Rare are Spydies and Benchmades.
If you want to buy your brother in law a Buck knife, go to Robinsons Manila Mall near the U.S. Embassy and Luneta Park. If I remember correctly, there is a Solingen store inside Robinsons Manila, 2nd or 3rd floor of the mall right beside a Guess clothing shop. They stock Victorinox, few Gerbers and a good selection of Bucks. In case you want more, go to the Megamall in Mandaluyong City. (a lot of cabbies know where this is, being the biggest mall in the country) When inside the mall, look for the Hahn store. I know this is one of the biggest sporting goods distributors in Manila. They stock Spydercos, Benchmades, and again Bucks, Gerbers and Victorinox. Another distributor of Benchmades is P.B. Dionisio. They sell firearms primarily and carry Surefires and Benchmades on the side. I don't know if you can find their retail store anymore. If they have not moved yet, it should be along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.
My question is, why worry with the Customs officials? As long as your purchases are inside the check in luggage, no problem with that, right?
If you want to buy your brother in law a Buck knife, go to Robinsons Manila Mall near the U.S. Embassy and Luneta Park. If I remember correctly, there is a Solingen store inside Robinsons Manila, 2nd or 3rd floor of the mall right beside a Guess clothing shop. They stock Victorinox, few Gerbers and a good selection of Bucks. In case you want more, go to the Megamall in Mandaluyong City. (a lot of cabbies know where this is, being the biggest mall in the country) When inside the mall, look for the Hahn store. I know this is one of the biggest sporting goods distributors in Manila. They stock Spydercos, Benchmades, and again Bucks, Gerbers and Victorinox. Another distributor of Benchmades is P.B. Dionisio. They sell firearms primarily and carry Surefires and Benchmades on the side. I don't know if you can find their retail store anymore. If they have not moved yet, it should be along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.
My question is, why worry with the Customs officials? As long as your purchases are inside the check in luggage, no problem with that, right?
As long as your knives are in check thru luggage you should be cool with airport security. Make sure you keep receipts handy for all your souveneirs as U.S. customs will charge you a nominal amount for anything over, IIRC, $400 (this is the part when returning home, US customs asks if "you have anything to declare"). I could be wrong on that figure, but the important thing is to keep your receipts ready.
BTW, some people say that Philippine rum, or rhum, is pretty good. I remember spending the equivelant of a U.S. buck for a 750ml bottle of Tanduhay rum. To my unsophisticated taste, it pretty dam smooth. My brother who has a more discerning taste only favors aged Puerto Rican rums, but what do I know. If you're interested, try some while you're there, and bring some back if it works for you. Also, if you get a bottle or two, or three, I suggest you take this as carry on (you never know if a security guard decides to get a sudden thirst), and pad the bottles to prevent breakage.
The local cigars there are excellent, and according to one friend who enjoys the occasional Macanudo, compares very well to cigars made in the Dominican Republic, and...maybe even Havana?? You can get some for a song compared to the cost of cigars in the U.S. One brand I recommend is Tabacalera. Again, if you're into cigars, try some, and bring some back if they work for you.
The gift shop at Manila airport sells both cigars and rum if you forgot to get some while in town. If you forget to get balisongs or bolos, don't expect to find those at the airport though.
BTW, if you do get some knives in the Philippines, just remember they are rarely made of anything remotely "stain less." I suggest you apply some Tuff Cloth or other rust treatment on whatever you get as soon as you get back.
BTW, some people say that Philippine rum, or rhum, is pretty good. I remember spending the equivelant of a U.S. buck for a 750ml bottle of Tanduhay rum. To my unsophisticated taste, it pretty dam smooth. My brother who has a more discerning taste only favors aged Puerto Rican rums, but what do I know. If you're interested, try some while you're there, and bring some back if it works for you. Also, if you get a bottle or two, or three, I suggest you take this as carry on (you never know if a security guard decides to get a sudden thirst), and pad the bottles to prevent breakage.
The local cigars there are excellent, and according to one friend who enjoys the occasional Macanudo, compares very well to cigars made in the Dominican Republic, and...maybe even Havana?? You can get some for a song compared to the cost of cigars in the U.S. One brand I recommend is Tabacalera. Again, if you're into cigars, try some, and bring some back if they work for you.
The gift shop at Manila airport sells both cigars and rum if you forgot to get some while in town. If you forget to get balisongs or bolos, don't expect to find those at the airport though.
BTW, if you do get some knives in the Philippines, just remember they are rarely made of anything remotely "stain less." I suggest you apply some Tuff Cloth or other rust treatment on whatever you get as soon as you get back.
Arthur Washburn
Knifemaker and AMC Freak
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2000
- Messages
- 1,653
You should be able to find something on the web about what is legal to bring into the states. Any auto would be illegal, bailisongs or butterfly knives are probably illegal. Checked baggage is not safe people steal from it all the time. Why would you buy a Buck Knife in the PI when you live in Cali?
Are you here already?
Branded knives such as spydies, benchies, and others are priced at retail so there is no logic about getting them here.
The better balis and bolos are made of spring steel. I don't know of a retailer in Manila that sell the better ones.
If there is no need then don't buy. Just enjoy your stay and drink several bottles of San Miguel.
Branded knives such as spydies, benchies, and others are priced at retail so there is no logic about getting them here.
The better balis and bolos are made of spring steel. I don't know of a retailer in Manila that sell the better ones.
If there is no need then don't buy. Just enjoy your stay and drink several bottles of San Miguel.