All About Pocket Knives

Until this purchase, I had no daggers in my collection. However, I found myself unable to resist the urge to make this purchase, and I'm glad I did. Even though I could not find a maker's mark or identifying mark of any kind, I was still intrigued with the story behind it. Even the seller could not provide any information. Of course, I quickly snapped a few photos and ran it through Google Gemini, and I was told that it was a type of Khukuri (or Kukri) type of knife most commonly used by the Gurkha soldiers of Nepal. The Khukuri daggers that I've since found pics of seem to have a much different curve in the blade. If anyone else has any information pertaining to this type of dagger/knife, I'd appreciate hearing about it. Thanks in advance. As an update: ChatGPT's Assessment: This is not a khukuri. It most closely resembles a hand-forged Bowie-style knife (clip point, brass guard, wood handle) but with some unique custom artistic elements. It could be a blacksmith’s personal creation, rather than a reproduction of a specific historical or cultural blade.
UPDATE TO MY UPDATE: After doing an extensive pic search over the internet, I've actually located my exact knife on Worthpoint: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... 4633711629. It is listed as a Philippine Antique Old Steel Filipino Bowie Bolo Barong Knife Sword.The total length of the knife is 18.5", and the blade is 12". The handle appears to be horn!

The discovery of research make the purchase even more fun.

Here's another. I could have told you it came from the Philippines, that's where my grampa got this one He was stationed there during Nam. Must have been a tourist shop type thing, that's 3 that look very similar. They do still seem hand forged though. Handle is definitely wood.

Fun fact: I just thought these were cool tool marks. It wasn't until just now that I zoomed in close to take a picture that I realized it's just stylised script. It says Philippines

The search for information is definitely the best part for me. Also, mine has the "Phillipines" etched into the blade, as well. I'm not sure if my photos captured it.

doglegg wrote: ↑Wed Oct 01, 2025 11:15 am The discovery of research make the purchase even more fun.

Yes, it is the best part in my opinion!

ThatWeirdKnifeGuy wrote: ↑Wed Oct 01, 2025 12:11 pm Here's another. I could have told you it came from the Philippines, that's where my grampa got this one He was stationed there during Nam. Must have been a tourist shop type thing, that's 3 that look very similar. They do still seem hand forged though. Handle is definitely wood.

Fun fact: I just thought these were cool tool marks. It wasn't until just now that I zoomed in close to take a picture that I realized it's just stylised script. It says Philippines

Thanks for your comments. I'll definitely check out your site, as well.

I've been doing some additional research after finding the listing on Worthpoint. For starters, I did a 7-day free trial to see what the knife sold for, and I came across three that sold. Two of them sold for $85 in 2023, while another sold for $99 dollars in 2023. All were in better shape than mind. Also, I was curious to learn about the carving on the handle.

Here's what Google Gemini says: "In the traditions of some Negrito groups, particularly the Aeta (or Ayta) people of the Philippines, the carved pommel of a bladed weapon often features a stylized animal head.

The particular shape you see, with the fluted or layered, upward-curving elements, is characteristic of the crested head of a cockatoo (or a similar bird).

The overall form, especially in the close-up image, mimics the large, distinctive beak and the layered feathers of the bird's crest.

While flowers are certainly part of Filipino art and culture, this specific style of carving on the handle of a traditional weapon like a Barong is much more commonly associated with the cockatoo or other meaningful animals, which can symbolize things like courage, freedom, or ferocity.

It's a beautiful example of traditional Filipino craftsmanship!"

SonnyD_67 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 9:20 am

ThatWeirdKnifeGuy wrote: ↑Wed Oct 01, 2025 12:11 pm Here's another. I could have told you it came from the Philippines, that's where my grampa got this one He was stationed there during Nam. Must have been a tourist shop type thing, that's 3 that look very similar. They do still seem hand forged though. Handle is definitely wood.

Fun fact: I just thought these were cool tool marks. It wasn't until just now that I zoomed in close to take a picture that I realized it's just stylised script. It says Philippines

Thanks for your comments. I'll definitely check out your site, as well.

I've been doing some additional research after finding the listing on Worthpoint. For starters, I did a 7-day free trial to see what the knife sold for, and I came across three that sold. Two of them sold for $85 in 2023, while another sold for $99 dollars in 2023. All were in better shape than mind. Also, I was curious to learn about the carving on the handle.

Here's what Google Gemini says: "In the traditions of some Negrito groups, particularly the Aeta (or Ayta) people of the Philippines, the carved pommel of a bladed weapon often features a stylized animal head.

The particular shape you see, with the fluted or layered, upward-curving elements, is characteristic of the crested head of a cockatoo (or a similar bird).

The overall form, especially in the close-up image, mimics the large, distinctive beak and the layered feathers of the bird's crest.

While flowers are certainly part of Filipino art and culture, this specific style of carving on the handle of a traditional weapon like a Barong is much more commonly associated with the cockatoo or other meaningful animals, which can symbolize things like courage, freedom, or ferocity.

It's a beautiful example of traditional Filipino craftsmanship!"

Thats cool. My grandfather always called it his head hunter knife, but I was always pretty sure it never did any decapitating.

SonnyD_67 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 01, 2025 8:35 am The handle appears to be horn!

The handle looks more like Kamagong wood. Also called Burmese or Malaysian Blackwood, it is a member of the ebony family and comes from the Philippines where it is prolific and grows into tall trees. Commonly used for knife handles from that region such as yours, which looks very similar to the handle on this Parang I cleaned up for a friend of mine

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 2:53 pm

SonnyD_67 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 01, 2025 8:35 am The handle appears to be horn!

The handle looks more like Kamagong wood. Also called Burmese or Malaysian Blackwood, it is a member of the ebony family and comes from the Philippines where it is prolific and grows into tall trees. Commonly used for knife handles from that region such as yours, which looks very similar to the handle on this Parang I cleaned up for a friend of mine

Thanks for the additional information. I did not realize I said it appeared to be "horn", until you quoted it. I meant to say "wood". But what you stated is pretty much in line with what I read when I found out the pattern was most likely a Cockatoo or other feathered bird.

OK, I had not considered a cockatoo motif; I could see it, though. My friend actually thought the handle on his was a monkey….the Parang being a tool used to slaughter bush meat. Total speculation, but I can see a monkey in his handle, too.