Atkinson Swords

Code IN30

This is a very small Visayan garab from the central Philippines. The curving hilt is the most unusual part of this knife.  The shape of the blade, with a large convex "belly", is typical for a tailbon. The blade of a garab is similar to the tailbon.  Total length 6 ½  inches.  Garab is a name used for older talibon knives.  The three-lobed pommel in the shape of a flower is typical of the older form.  The garab were favored by insurrectionist groups on Samar and Leyte around the turn of the 20th century.  The scabbard has made of hardwood secured by rattan wrapping.  Typically, the end of the scabbard is upturned and that is the case with this example.