How Blacksmiths make Buffalo Horn Machete Handles
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- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2025
- Machete handles made from the horns of carabao! Carabao are a type of water buffalo found mainly in the Philippines.
Across the world machete handles are generally made from wood or plastic, in the Philippines carabao is a source of beef and they don't let the tough fibres of the horns go to waste. On a recent hiking trip in Ilocos Norte Province I was very interested to see that 99% of the machetes I saw the natives using had carabao horn handles. These Carabao water buffalos are everywhere in Philippines :-) But I'd never seen so many carabao horned machete handles in one province. Because of the similarities in the craftsmanship I suspected that all these blades were coming from one blacksmith!
With Christina as Filipino translator we asked around, "do you know where the blacksmith is located?" At the remote mountain village of Adams we met a local native who had purchased his bolo (Filipino machete) directly from the blacksmith; he said, "the blacksmith is located at San Nicolas in Laoag City"
Knowing that we had reliable directions was exciting because I've always wanted to see this trade in practice. About 3 days later we were riding a motorbike around San Nicolas in Laoag City, after about 30 minutes we found the blacksmith factory!
In Philippines the blacksmiths always use old leaf springs from cars for the blades. Watching the head blacksmith make the full tang handle pins from the aluminium of a security door was very interesting. But most of all, the carving of the buffalo horns was my favourite part. Who would think they could use a machete to make another machete!
Hope you enjoy our video :-)
TIME STAMPS
Blacksmith's wife brings out the horns 1:46
Heating & Shaping handle 3:21
Melting the handle onto steel 5:33
Carving partial tang handle 6:21
Drilling the holes 8:02
Cutting the aluminium pins 8:54
Pins in full tang handle 9:21
Final filing of full tang handle 11:20
End Card 12:39
Blacksmith's address: Barangay 10, San Paulo, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte Province, Philippines
GPS coordinates: 18'10'06.3"N 120'35'39.3E
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that was the coolest drill i've ever seen
+Saigun X (Saito) yup
yea fuckin A. k want one so bad.
lol
Hand made as well as the drill bit that was used. These people are quite industrious
must be
Wow, that is just incredible. I love seeing how these blacksmiths use such rudimentary methods to making incredible machetes. And they are just using basic tools, even reusing other machetes, to make their blades, and by the look of it, there machetes probably perform a hell of a lot better than the machetes you can get over here. Absolutely incredible, I wish only I could see these guys in action.
Hello Hunter Duncan You could see them in action no problem :-) Their full address and GPS coordinates is in the description of this video!
Awesome. :D
+Bush Channel these people should be able to get there own shop and better tools if this is the quality you get from them when they use those tools \ materials .I want to see what they will make with better tools bloody good craftsmanship.
Pretty cool. I find it interesting that the tools and methods used could really be from any time in the last 500 years. Proof that you don't need a super hi-tech facility to make quality knives.
Yes they're awesome! Welcome to Bush Channel M Ekelmann. We have a few other blacksmith videos you may like!!!
Bush Channel
As I watched the video, I noticed that no one seems to have any fingers missing. The level of craftsmanship is simply amazing....
Hey Julius M, one hazard I've never mentioned are the fumes from the carabao horn. It was quite nauseous being there for an hour while I made this video. Not only the smoke from the burning horns but also the dust particles of horn coming off with the file work was shocking. I hope these guys have developed an immunity because I suspect the lung damage could be worse than heavy smoking.
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Truly authentic and passionate craftsmen! Carabao horn handles has always been a thing before colonization I'm proud that blacksmith traditions survived in my country. They are true hard-working people and I salute them. Mabuhay kababayan!
It's fascinating watching these guys at work. Their level of skill and patience is what defines a craftsman.
Swamp Yankee Hello Swamp Yankee, we have a few more Bush Channel videos with blacksmiths making machetes, hope you enjoy!
im proud of my fellow filipino craftsmen... amazing skills w/out electricity and high powered tools totaly unbelievable!
+Basti ll I make knives and the only power tool I have is a drill. You don't need them for the job that require skill, only for the rough shaping to take less time..
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Much respect to the craftsmen like this...it's always remarkable to see just creative a making person can be!
★ Hi there, make sure you hit the SUBSCRIBE button to be notified of our next machete video, "How Blacksmiths Carve Wooden Machete Handles." The new video is already filmed and should publish either late Feb or early March! Hope u enjoy :)
This is amazing...I would love to learn their techniques. It's so different from a regular industrial work, this guys just take their time and do their job.
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Impressive! The only apparent store bought tool was a file and it may have been hand forged as well. Both the drill and the bit used were hand made. These guys are awesome!
kevin Tucker bet there sturdy and probley last longer than a mass produced one .
Excellent craftsmanship. Great attention to detail. Love the old school hand drill too.
Here in the phillipines tuguegarao cty cagayan
Amazing skills! People like that are masters of their craft and whatever they charge is too little. They deserve so much more.
Usually, the people have no interest on what is going on at the blacksmiths shop but due to the presence of the foreigner vlogging, bystander are now present, of course to be part of the video.
I am amazed at the fact that the blacksmith had no power tools (No electricity I suppose). So much labor. I wonder how much one of his machetes would cost and can he make more than one in a day? Great video!
Electricity rates are inflated in the Philippines. Once they invest in power tools, their overhead goes up so does their product. The locals would not buy from them.
Primitive and brilliant at the same time. No power, everything by hand. True craftsmen.
if you see this craftship with only some old handtools, it's just amazing. here everybody works with big machines and cnc and 3D printer. but if we would get those tools, most would probably suck at it. instead of poor they, i think more or, poor us. if an electricity failure happens here, most of us are hectic, and cant do anything. over there, they probably dont even notice... great video!
很详细的制作步骤，并且没有使用电动设备，这是很难能可贵的，现在很少有人有这个耐心去完成了……赞……
I love how it's all held together with mechanical force. Just like it would have have been made 500yrs ago.
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Hard work,much hard,the man was very craftman to make the machete nothing of machines only manual,congrats for the hard work!
urbano268 . And it price is just 6 USD :'
Love it. The way that there's no finish to these knives means the blacksmiths here crafts the knives to be used and not for looks.
Very interesting to see the process from start to finish. The use of hand tools was amazing, especially the wooden drill. I've travelled around Philippines too. I always wanted to visit a local blacksmith. I only found the cheap basic bolo's at markets and malls. When I asked locals where to get good forged bolo's they usually couldn't tell me, and I didn't have time to go on a quest for a blacksmith. Thanks for sharing =)
Hey B Adventures, yes by the looks of your channel you do get around Philippines a bit ;-) Most blacksmiths we've found are on the outskirts of small-medium size towns, also often on the coastal roads of islands. Welcome to Bush Channel !!!
Bush Channel thank for the reply and letting me know. I watched your other videos, used your Pinoy bolo to process a whole tree. Great stuff =)
The bolo the guy had in his left hand at 7:00 is the nicest bolo I've ever seen. Cool video bro, I'd buy from these guys if I visited Phillipines
Thanks 4 the support PACKLEADER90. Yes that guy at 7:00 is very skilled at carving! This was a very difficult video to edit, we had about 45 minutes of footage :-)
I didnt know that the machete handle in the philippines is a carabao's horn. Hehe. No wonder it has a good quality... Theres a lot of this in our public market.we have this in our home i though the handle was made fromwood. But i see it very different cause its black.. And its more different from a wood..i dont have any knowledge that it was made from a horn. Thank u so much. Now i have a little knowledge about this..very nice..
Welcome to Bush Channel, soon we will be uploading the UNCUT version of this video. It will consist of over 60 minutes of raw footage that was originaly cut out during editing... There's much more to see!!!
Loved the manual drill machine :D
Too bad I can't find out how to make one. :/
Good for horny women
Michael Angelo you can buy them. Hand drills have been around for well over 100 years. Any antique store is the US should have at least one. They're pretty ubiquitous.
I don't care about finding one, I wish to create it.
It is called an Archimedes drill if i am correct. It has been around for ages, and to this day many jewelers still us it when they have some work that they want precision in stead of speed. I think it is possible to find smaller versions at jewelers supply stores.
wow... thank you so much for uploading this, i'm from the Philippines & i find it very interesting to watch. kudos!
(will subscribe)
Two things. First, look how straight those blades are that came off of that wobbly, old anvil! Now think of shops milling their anvil to within .001 inch of dead flat. Second, there is a strong likelihood that those fellows making those hatchets have a great deal of skill employing them for more than weeds or vegetables. Great video thanks for putting it up!
InformationIsTheEdge Oh god yes. Some people use their tools until they won't serve a purpose at all.
Abendschein I'm one of those. I've filled my basement and garage with second hand tools from yard sales, flea markets and even the garbage! All refurbished back to near perfect condition. They will all certainly outlast me!
InformationIsTheEdge I'm just as bad. I like refurbishing and recycling materials. So much can be made from that stuff!
InformationIsTheEdge makes you wonder how long they've used that anvil, how many generations haha extreme skill shown here
all farmers here in philippines use machete, so this machete or bolo or gulok in tagalog is very tough blade because they use it to cut trees
Incredible how simple, But how incredibly complex a Machete can be. From its construction itself, a Machete is simply a beveled and sharpened bar of metal with a grip, But it can be used for so Many things. Its relatively heavy, so a good slashing weapon, But also as Light to be used by one Hand only. The blade usually goes thicker to the tip of the blade, so it can also be used as an axe, and it has similar bevels to these of a kitchen Knife.
Nakakatuwa fully handmade,no electric tools
As a Filipino myself, I am a blade believer and owns at least 5 bolos for utility use and defense as well. I gave one to my brother. If you may ask, I have other smaller blades as well like the balisong and a kris balisong. All hand-made by Filipino craftsmen from Tabaco, Albay, and Talisay, Batangas.
My favorite bolo was made in Batangas, but I bought it from a guy selling coconuts in Manila. It was his tool for chopping open the coconuts :) Welcome to the channel Sir!
Bush Channel Thank you. Can't blame you got impressed by the buko vendor. Their bolos are real sharp! Wonder if you also saw their horn spatula-like tool?
@@Bushchannel the way they handle those knifes to cut open the coconuts and pineapples it is a miracle they don't cut some fingers with it as fast as they move.
08:30 was the best part. Badass blacksmithing for sure.
+Kelly Lone Hill lohhhh,,,,what,,,oh no hahaha
+Kelly Lone Hill I knew someone beat me to it
The unique smell of burning horn or burning antlers; you'll never forget it!
Wow these guys are tough ! Still working with old hand tools.
Old tradition of blacksmit with no modern equipment💪💪👍
I try to pick up another knife or two (or three) every year from the market when we visit the PI. The blades are not the pretty tourists ones you see in the stores but they sure do work well. I know my many cousins and nephews depend upon these knifes to cut and chop everything from the butchered hog to the veggies that go with it, including the wood and bamboo that was used to build the home. These are as much of a "do everything" for the home, at work and in the field blade as you will ever see. And they have to last as they can't afford to keep buying new blades.
ATTENTION machete lovers! COMING SOON we're posting the new video "How Blacksmiths make Sugarcane Machetes." Specialized 2 handed machetes for cutting & packing sugarcane! It's a primary industry on Negros Island, Philippines ;-)
+Bush Channel YAY!
I like the way you show respect to these people. Sir.
Thanks Joel, they're awesome!
Bush Channel old schoolers, they deserve all respect. And you too for being so kind and taking your time to show us this wonderful way of life. I just found your channel last week and I'm trying to watch all your videos, really fine stuff mate.
cook fight in taysnjuiri
Amazing craftsmen, i made my knife and machete using hand tools and a lump of iron as a anvil as thats what i had to hand, satisfying.
Nice work man seen a few of your vids
Great working products produced to good quality at a simple work station.
I like and support this video.very creative..good job 👍👍
Just plain awesome.
northern part of the philippines i guest. Ilocano people i saw this when i was young. prety good tools
I need one of those machetes great video man.
ich stelle mir nur vor was dise menschen mit meinem Werkzeug herstellen könnten. grossen Respekt
We have a lot of hard working blacksmith in the Philippines
I have one like this from the Philippines, mine is made of a cars leaf spring, and the handle is carabao horn. The only thing about it is that it's really heavy.
Filipino shows to the World Ancient Civilization this Country is Really Ophir .This Ancient Filipino still exist.King Solomon Pillars and Almug and Gold Design are from my Country.Im Proud Ylocano and Ybanag here :)
95 per cent of the people in comment section marvelling at how primitive their tools are yet they made good machetes...
Me: That shop they built around a tree must be cool and comfy in the summer...
It's rarely "cool and comfy" in the PI :-)
Uk**ana ajay ilocos norte met gayam atoy. My grand daddy got a bolo backnin d day, now it’s with me. He got it from a local blacksmith in Santa, Ilocos Sur. it’s old alright with one of the best patinas you’ve ever seen xD.
WOW so cool to watch them work!
Great craftsmanship in knife And sword forging. Where is this place filmed at?
Brgy 10 San Nicolas Ilocos Norte
Shot in the northern part of the Philippines. They speak Tagalog with a heavy accent.
Marcosa Tanas yeah that's in the Philippines I've heard some people are talking tagalog
+fuck that shit fuck that shit
they are ilocanos☺
they are speaking ilocano not tagalog
ilocanos or tagalog they are the same filipino
that hand drill is amazing
i have like hand drill and is very old
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Yes I Remember when we had a smaller version of the drivers Back in the 50's & 60's 😎
Old is gold.
Might I suggest, try to go to Pangasinan, where the ilokanos make a good bolo/machete or whatever you want, just tell the guys and they'll forge it for you. My father bought a customized bolo in 90's, and it is still here, we still use it, still sharp too. it also has a buffalo horn on it. And try to go to Batangas as well. they make razor sharp butterfly knives.
Hehe..pangasinan pero ilocano.
sir sino Po pwd e contact sa buffalo horner knife
The first hammer blows where perfectly timed with my heart beat.
BUSH CHANNEL excellent video looking forward to seeing more...
Harvey Sokoloff all
CQ
excellent craftsmanship in the Philippines,
Say Heah, I learned you can get a Hoof Cream from a Veterinarian, for horses that might work well on the Buffalo Horn Handles to keep make them last longer.
Hey paulie, at the end you may notice the horn is a dull grey colour after the blacksmith has finished filing it. I believe there is some kind of oil or other substance that they rub into it, couldn't get an answer to that one when I asked. But the aged buffalo horned handles I've seen are a very dark black colour and seem to have been treated somehow.
That's what I'm saying, You can get a treatment oil or cream, I dunno that you get from a Veterinarian Doc. They use this on horse hoofs, But it works good on knife handles made from Buffalo Horn, They say it improves longitivity.
did they sell n how much per knife?
So nice work. I love smithy
that was ilocano blacksmith from the Philippines.. in ilocos region. im a native ilocano people
Several of my blades has carabao horn hilts, one of which is albino horn. Most blades from Luzon are like that, especially the Tagalog and Ilocano-speaking areas.
I’ve seen many a drill, mains power, battery operated and even in the big mills generated from steam, But I’ve never seen a drill that’s uses the old vinegar stroke to make his own holes, he seems to be quite adept at working with his hands 🙌, 👍👍👍👍
That post vice looks like a western post vice. If it is, he's VERY lucky to have one as far as I understand.
Wonder what he could do with a flat anvil. Awesome craftsmanship right there. Wonder what one would cost right off the line.
Awesome video man.
Dao đẹp, rất tự nhiên,tai năng của người thợ rèn, rất thích video này
bush channel where can i buy the hand drill that one of the guys had from
LOL, I have no idea. Maybe someone has them online. Good luck!
Wow amazing work
That knife is very good,you can join in america in a contest...i tested that many times cutting a big tree
8:33 I've been training for that job since I was 11
u mean the fap😂😂i feel u bro
iyan ang tunay Pinoy. They make do with what they have and make the best out of anything
Careful handiwork 👍
Did you see how tough is the blade very well forge, the man is cutting round steel with his bolo👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
They made all things with out electrical hand tools
Great vid. But whats up with the helmet?
Where can I get a matching set? How much money?
Cutting iron with their Machete, is really wow
gute altes Handwerk, schön gemacht RESPEKT
Philippinen Solingen messer
Anyone know where a person could order some of that carabao horn online? Preferably in the full horn state, not as slats or scales?
where can i buy that drill?
I love the Red Wing industrial boots with protection all the way around
pwede bang bakal din hawakan na checkering para matibay at di madulas
What is this style blade called the guy is using
amazing skills and he made it look easy...just curiuous why are you wearing a helmet? No one else is...never seen a blacksmith wear a helmet..did you rock climb up to the area?
dude, dont ask a guy why hes wearing a helmet, hes probably "special"
motorbike
Beautiful work.
Is it comfortable though
Impressive Work-
¡Qué buenos artesanos de la forja tradicional!
How much?
0 electricity, amazing skills and hard work thumbs up ;))
must have been cool to be there and experience that
Proud to be Ilocano
And you should be. In two days I'll be celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary with my lovely and wonderful Ilocano wife. Our kids are proud of being Ilocano and they are teaching their kids that respect for their lola's heritage.
# Pouring, their heart, and soul ! All the BEST !
Were you able to bring these machetes out of the country and in to your country? If so how? Does it need special permits? Thank you.
I fly back to the US every years with several in my checked in luggage. Never been questioned or stopped.
Был бы мужик одет в кимоно, в комментах бы писали про восхищение великим мастером ножей
So what do you use to make these machetes?
"Other machetes."
Oh, interesting. And what are you making all these machetes for?
"For making machetes."
They use it in their farms ...
And in getting wood frm the jungle ...
Andrew sullivan ..common sense , ,
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and the best part is these home made weapons or tools are better quality than factory made ones
Hey Chris, stay tuned because next Friday 11th of March we're posting the video, "How Blacksmiths make Sugarcane Machetes." Huge 2 handed ones for sugarcane farming!!!
5:03 is it differential hardening ?
I really like that