Philippines Igorot Head Axe

 A southern Philippines Igorot tribe war or ‘head’ axe. Used for warfare and head hunting, these axes have a peculiar cleaver style shape with a back spike which were used in the traditional head taking practices of the Igorot. The blade is of thick steel with a ‘chisel’ edge to the blade, steel upper mount, and the handle is of wood with the typical ‘step’ to enable a good handhold halfway down the haft. 19th century