The bolo isn’t just a blade. It’s a working man’s tool, a farmer’s companion, and a fighter’s last resort. In the Philippines, this thick, curved knife has shaped fields, families, and even history itself. From the jungles of Luzon to the markets of Mindanao, the bolo still stands strong — steel forged for both survival and struggle.
What Is a Bolo?
The Filipino bolo is a long, single-edged knife with a forward-curving blade that widens toward the tip. This design gives it more chopping power, making it ideal for clearing brush, cutting sugarcane, or splitting wood. In short: it’s a multipurpose blade built for tropical life.
Across the Philippines, the bolo goes by many names: itak in Tagalog, binangon in the Visayas, and tabak in some parts of Mindanao. Though there are regional differences in shape and size, the blade’s purpose remains the same — to get the job done.
In the words of anthropologist William Henry Scott, “The bolo is not merely a tool of labor; it is also a symbol of self-reliance and quiet strength.” [Source: Barangay: Sixteenth-Century Philippine Culture and Society, 1994]
A Blade With a Past
The bolo’s history runs deep. During the Philippine Revolution (1896–1898), Filipino fighters under the Katipunan used bolos when firearms were scarce. These revolutionaries became known as the “Bolo Men.” Their speed and familiarity with the blade gave them an edge in close-quarters combat.
In one historical account from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), a Katipunan general named Licerio Gerónimo led a bolo charge that ambushed and overwhelmed a Spanish garrison. While rifles jammed in the rain, bolos didn’t fail. [Source: NHCP Archives, “The Battles of San Mateo,” 1897]
The bolo also played a role in the Philippine-American War (1899–1902). American soldiers described encounters with fighters who wielded blades instead of bullets. The U.S. military was so impressed by the bolo’s utility that they later adopted a bolo-style machete for their engineers and medics. The Model 1910 Bolo Knife became standard issue. [Source: U.S. Army Center of Military History]
During World War II, Filipino guerrilla fighters once again carried bolos. In the jungles, the blade was as valuable as any rifle. General Douglas MacArthur himself praised the guerrillas, noting their “resourcefulness and fierce loyalty,” often citing the bolo as part of their success. [Source: Reports of General MacArthur, Volume 1, 1966]
Crafted by Panday: The Local Blade Makers
Traditionally, bolos are handmade by Filipino blacksmiths called panday. These smiths often work in backyard forges, turning scrap metal — like car springs or old machetes — into functional blades.
An article by the Philippine Daily Inquirer (2016) profiled Mang Fidel, a panday from Taal, Batangas, who has been forging bolos for over 40 years. “Every bolo has a purpose,” he said. “You make one for the jungle, one for the kitchen, one for the field.” [Source: Inquirer.net, “The Last Panday of Taal,” Sept. 2016]
Handles are usually carved from local hardwoods like kamagong or narra, and sometimes fitted with horn from carabao (water buffalo). The blades are sharpened by hand, often on river stones, and no two are exactly alike.
The Bolo in Daily Life and Martial Arts
In many rural communities, the bolo is as common as a hammer or shovel. It’s used for farming, construction, food prep, and even ceremonies. Families often keep a bolo by the door — part tool, part symbol of readiness.
In the Filipino martial arts world, the bolo remains central to training. Systems like Kali, Arnis, and Eskrima use stick fighting to simulate blade movement, but real blades are introduced at advanced levels.
As Guro Dan Inosanto, one of the foremost teachers of Filipino martial arts, put it: “The bolo teaches economy of motion. There’s no wasted energy — just clean, effective cuts.” [Source: Inosanto Academy Interview, 2012]
Cultural Symbol and Living Blade
More than just steel and wood, the bolo represents something deeper. It’s a blade passed from grandfather to grandson, used to till soil, defend land, and shape homes. It’s part of the Filipino identity — not flashy, but reliable.
Even today, bolos are sold at roadside markets or handcrafted by village smiths. Farmers tuck them into their belts. Martial artists keep them in training halls. And in museums and war memorials, they’re remembered as weapons of resistance and pride.
References:
Scott, William Henry. Barangay: Sixteenth-Century Philippine Culture and Society. Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines. “The Battles of San Mateo.” NHCP Archives, 1897.
U.S. Army Center of Military History. Reports of General MacArthur, Volume 1, 1966.
Inquirer.net. “The Last Panday of Taal.” Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sept. 2016.
Inosanto, Dan. Interview, Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts, 2012.
