USD 8,000.00
Blade: Damasteel
Handle:
- Spalted Mango
- Carbon Fiber
Bolster:
- Blackened Titanium
Scabbard:
- Spalted Mango
- Black Burlap Micarta
- Leather
The history surrounding St. Bartholomew is rich with cultural tradition. Every August, bolos were blessed in honor of the saint’s martyrdom, symbolizing resilience in the face of his suffering.
The Katipunan, the revolutionary group during the Philippine struggle for independence, used this tradition to gather discreetly, carrying bolos under the guise of religious participation, avoiding the suspicion of Spanish patrols.
This historical nuance inspired me to create a piece that both honors and embodies this spirit.
In honoring the unique heritage of St. Bartholomew's veneration in the Philippines, I crafted a custom bolo named the Sinanbartolome, the Sinanbartolome bolo is made from a slab of Damasteel, selected for its resilience and beauty.
The blade itself, formed from a single piece of this steel, was shaped with a recurve silhouette along its spine, leading to a fine tip that accentuates the Damascus pattern and honors the aesthetic traditions of Philippine bolos.
The blade is tethered to a sculpted handle made from Stabilized Mango Wood, sourced from our native mango tree. Between the blade and handle sits a blackened matte titanium bolster, offering a sense of balance, while a titanium inlay disc flows seamlessly with the wood grain for added depth.
The matching scabbard, crafted from the same mango wood branch, integrates layers of black burlap Micarta liners that create two sleek lines along the scabbard’s edge, a refined detail that enhances its clean silhouette. Designed for both display and function, the scabbard is outfitted with leather straps and mango wood button pins for easy attachment outdoors.
This set is a tribute to both history and heritage, an embodiment of my dedication to honoring the craftsmanship and meaning behind traditional Filipino blades.ment outdoors.
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