This Filipino Bicuco has a sharp blade of 5160/D2 high carbon steel that was tempered to an overall hardness of 58-60 HRC. The edge and the long false edge are both sharpened. The guard and bolster are steel and the grip is polished wood. The scabbard is wood with bands of rattan and a darkened steel retaining clip which locks over the guard to secure the blade into the scabbard.
The Bicuco (Bikuko) is a Filipino working blade that is used primarily for slaughtering farm animals. Like many Filipino weapons intended as agricultural tools, it doubles as a self-defense sword quite handily, particularly this nimble example with a hacking and chopping blade with a long and sharpened false edge.
Please Note: Due to being crafted in a tropical environment with native woods, it is common for these weapons to develop thin, minor cracks in the wood and the scabbard as the woods adjust to our more temperate environment. Cracks in items sent to you will not be harmful to the structural integrity of the item. Also – The decorative rattan wrapping can be brittle and may crack or break.
It is recommended that a light coating of protective oil is used to protect the wood from dryness and cracking.
Please Note: It is common for the tropical hardwood used to craft the grip and scabbard of these weapons to develop small cracks as the wood adjusts to our temperate environment. We inspect these items for major cracks and will not send such items to you. We will however send items that may have small, light cracks. These are light cosmetic blemishes and we will not send you an item with a crack that impacts the structural integrity and usefulness of the weapon. These small and light cracks are common to the type of wood used.
By routinely applying a light coating of protective oil you can protect the wood from drying out in your own home.
Hana –
Quality from TFW The sword itself is crafted well, the beautiful wood and smooth blade work well in becoming a cultural art piece.
The blade came to me sharp and ready right out of the 10-pound brown packaging paper and I wasted no time in trying it out. Cutting paper, bottles, small branches were no problem for the sword.
The slight recurve of the blade makes the comeback just flow and leads to nice cuts through most cutting targets. I am very pleased with the abilities of the blade.
The two things I have though is the gimping running along the handle, the lines end abruptly at the collar and also are a little too high and after just swinging a little I could feel the blisters waiting to come out.
The other thing I would like is if the false edge were a little bit shorter, though the long edge on the back of the blade is not too bad I feel like it is more of a danger than convenient. I believe they did it to lighten the sword as it is pretty heavy on towards the blade, but nothing a little tapering couldn’t fix right.
Overall I am very happy with the Bicuco, it’s a big knife i’d like to consider a full-fledged sword that i’d bring to the farm/battle and time.