please help me identify these antique knives

The longer blade is a kris from the Philippines. I'm no expert, so I can't tell specifically where it was made or by whom. (Each island there seems to have it's own unique style.)

The second blade is a Gaucho knife called a Facon, possibly from Argentina, but similar knives are made in other countries.

As to their age and value, I am not qualified to guess.
 
Now that I'm home and can check my books, it would seem that your Kris is actually of the Indonesian variety, probably from Sumatra. Still can't give you an age or value though.
 
I believe that punal is just the Spanish word for dagger.

Here is the Wikipedia definition of facón:

A facón is a dagger of goodly length, worn at the back and tucked into the belt of the gaucho in order to be quickly drawn with the right hand. Used in the South American pampas, especially in Argentina and Uruguay, they are often seen with a decorated metal hilt and sheath. The facón tends to be some fifty centimeters in length, though there are examples of knives up to seventy five centimeters long.

The facón was the primary tool of the gaucho and the main article of combat for the duelo criollo. When used in this context, the right hand held the knife, and the poncho was wrapped about the left arm to absorb cuts and stabs, as seen in the photograph to the right.

GauchosvonALE.jpg
 
You're sure thorough! I think much of any civilation's history can be traced through it's weapons, which often times lead to its advancements. How common are these knives? I see a few on eBay but I can't tell if they are new or copies, etc. Neil
 
I don't know how common they are but I would think that the quality of the blades would be inversely proportional to the number available; with numerous crappy ones and few good ones. Bernard Levine reports that in the 1970's a large number of small, badly worn krisses were dumped into the US market at relatively cheap prices. Yours does not appear to be one of those to me but, again, I am no expert on the subject.

The blades on your weapons have seen better days and need to be oiled at the very least. I don't know who could tell you what they are worth, but I would try to find out so that you can decide what to do with them. If they turn out to be valuable, it might pay to have a professional restore them for you. I learned the hard way that you shouldn't just put valuable antiques on a wire wheel and clean them up. (I also learned that your run of the mill antique dealers don't know much about old weapons, nor how to restore them.) Indiscriminate buffing, polishing, etc. can quickly ruin their value. Of course, if their value isn't important to you, have at them. If that facon is fitted in actual silver it would certainly be nice to see it cleaned up.

Good luck.
 
A bit off topic but you guys started it. One of my customers is Argentinian. In a recent discusion I learned that up untill 1962 it was legal for two men to duel to the death as depicted in Chris's photo. The blades were held with the edge up, the aim being to stick your oponent very low in the abdomen and then slice up spilling his intestines. He remembers seeing such a fight as a 6 or 7 year old, cluching his fathers leg as he watched.

Peter
 
actually the kris looks to be Indonesian...BUT looking at the wooden sheath it looks to be made in Philippines. sorry to say but it might be a tourist piece or a knock off. again it's hard to judge just going by pictures. but the sheath is what made me think that it could be a recent addition or a tourist piece.
 
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