Small "Blingy" Knife, But From Where and What Was its Purpose???

CharlesS · 21st June 2020, 08:41 PM

Any ideas about the origins and use of this small knife? 28cm. overall.

Battara · 22nd June 2020, 05:26 AM

OO.........I like this one!

Kinda makes me think of Indonesia, even perhaps Aceh, although the blade makes me think of Borneo.

Ian · 22nd June 2020, 11:06 AM

The small size and wide blade makes me think of a knife to cut betel. While I've not seen any exactly like this one, betel-knives can be quite ornate as can the boxes that accompany the storage and tools for preparing the Areca nut for chewing.

The blade seems modeled after a Sumatran klewang, although the small piece protruding just below the hilt looks more Kalimantan. The silver work on the hilt could pass for southern Thai/Malaysian but I think it is more likely Sumatran. The wooden scabbard with an opening along the back seems recent in manufacture, and is seen also with a much larger Sumatran klewang, but is not exclusively Sumatran in use.

As usual Charles, you have another intriguing piece of difficult-to-define origin.

CharlesS · 22nd June 2020, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

As usual Charles, you have another intriguing piece of difficult-to-define origin.

True Ian! For better or worse that seems to be my specialty. I am always attracted to the odd and unusual with a little bling thrown in!

Bob A · 22nd June 2020, 10:00 PM

The opening in the scabbard seems most useful for weapons that need to be withdrawn in a hurry.

Aside from "somewhere in the Malay Archepelago" that's all Ive got.

Sajen · 22nd June 2020, 11:38 PM

Hello Charles,

Most beautiful knife!

Never seen such a knife before but it remember me a little bit to my lopah petawaran.

Regards,
Detlef

21st June 2020, 08:41 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Small "Blingy" Knife, But From Where and What Was its Purpose??? Any ideas about the origins and use of this small knife? 28cm. overall. Attached Images

22nd June 2020, 11:38 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hello Charles, Most beautiful knife! Never seen such a knife before but it remember me a little bit to my lopah petawaran. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

22nd June 2020, 05:26 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	OO.........I like this one! Kinda makes me think of Indonesia, even perhaps Aceh, although the blade makes me think of Borneo.

22nd June 2020, 11:06 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	The small size and wide blade makes me think of a knife to cut betel. While I've not seen any exactly like this one, betel-knives can be quite ornate as can the boxes that accompany the storage and tools for preparing the Areca nut for chewing. The blade seems modeled after a Sumatran klewang, although the small piece protruding just below the hilt looks more Kalimantan. The silver work on the hilt could pass for southern Thai/Malaysian but I think it is more likely Sumatran. The wooden scabbard with an opening along the back seems recent in manufacture, and is seen also with a much larger Sumatran klewang, but is not exclusively Sumatran in use. As usual Charles, you have another intriguing piece of difficult-to-define origin.

22nd June 2020, 10:00 PM	#5
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	The opening in the scabbard seems most useful for weapons that need to be withdrawn in a hurry. Aside from "somewhere in the Malay Archepelago" that's all Ive got.