Why is it called a "Bolo" knife?

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Nov 8, 2000
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I have one. A Springfield Arsenal with the canvas scabbard. I always thought it was named for some kind of tribe in wherever it was used and sort of a nickname.

However, in the latest edition of Shooter's Bible, they have an article on the type 96 Mauser pistol. There is also a "Bolo" Mauser.
They state that the name came from the fact that it was such a popular gun with the Bolsheviks.

How about the knife? Same derivation? Anyone know?

P.S. My knife scabbard still has the grease pencil price on it that I got my father to pop for at an army surplus store back in the '50's.

..................$1.95............... :eek:
 
I thought that bolo was filipino in origin, but I really do not know... during my travels in the philippines I came across a town on siquijor island called "bolos" probably just a coincidence, but I would be curious in finding out the origin also! never really thought about it. bolo in spanish also means bowling ball I believe
 
A bolo machete is the style used in the Philipines. I assumed that the style came into the American military system after the Spanish American War. The US occupied the Philipines and had considerable trouble with rebels. One result was that the US went back to .45 caliber pistols (the .45 auto). Another need was for a machete that was moderate in size and capable of cutting the hardwood brush found in the islands. The bolo style is philipine and possibly derived from the barong. It is heavier and more point-heavy than a simple machete designed for soft jungle and grasses. The blade is thick, broad near the tip and narrow by the handle. It is optimized for solid growth that holds up to impact. The thickness helps prevent the blade from wedging into thick material. The Collins machetes of that era are similarly balanced, but longer.
 
sounds like a perfect description of my Ontario Bolo, which seems to have a lot in common to a kukri.
 
Good Question.

The term "bolo knife" is of Spanish/Philippines origins and refers to a broad range of traditional jungle knives like the parang. The US produced a variety of these knives including the Collins 1005 Engineers Bolo, the US 1904 Hospital Bolo, and the US 1909 & 1910 bolo knives. It enters the English language from the Spanish American War (1898), but I am unclear on its original meaning. Was the term "bolo" a collective reference to population of the Philippines, something like the word "Yankee"? Or, is it derived from the similarity in appearance of the recurved blades, to a bowling pin; since the term is also Spanish for bowling pin?

I suspect it's the latter.

n2s
 
This is a "Bolo" from the Central part of the Phillipines !! It comes from one of the Oldest Island's There !! Founded By the Spaniard's after They "Took Over " Back in the 18 th Centuary !! This Knife has Been "Americanized" by me !! But I Assure you it is a Original Beacuse I Got it "Over There ! The Name i think is a Phillipino / Spanish Thing !!

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http://www.pinoyknife.com :) :D
 
Hope not to piss off too many by resurrecting this thread but I think it does merit some clarification.

^ Going with Pinoyknife's and others' description there. Strictly speaking, the word "bolo" is of foreign origin, possibly Spanish, and had just entered the language and consciousness of Filipinos and later on with American English thru the coming of the G.I.'s/troops.

The more common Filipino/Tagalog term for the largish, all-around cutter and chopper is itak or tabak and gulok (with a "u" instead of "o" on the first vowel, phonetically similar to the Malaysian/Indonesian blade).

As you go down further south away from the main island of Luzon (to the Visayas and Mindanao), with the myriad of islands and dialects of the rest of the country, it is called by other names. Variation in design becomes apparent in terms of the handle, the length and height: longer and more slender and thus becomes more related with the Latin American machete. This affords two things - first, to cut down overgrowth and soft vegetation and second, increases its "weapon potential". A popular design is the "talibong". All are from high-carbon steel and tempered I estimate in the mid-50's RC.

Having handled a Tramontina machete however, the more apparent difference, at least to me, is that the Filipino blade seems heavier and thicker (traditionally they are 1/8" to only slightly thicker).
 
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Old thread or not, Good information is always a pleasure to read.
 
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