Sirau and their use

David · 28th December 2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

Thanks Detlef for the copy from van Z.
I hope that Albert is reading this thread so he can share where he found the name siraui and how his source defines it.
Is the "variation I" pictured somewhere else in van Z? If you google it you will find several other like this described as a siraui?

Michael

I may have missed it Michael, but i took a good look through Zonneveld last night for "type I" and couldn't find any similar knives with this keris-like dress.

VVV · 28th December 2011, 06:42 PM

Thanks David,

Then I don't know how to proceed being away from my main reference books for another 1,5 week. Let's hope Albert or someone else who have them available can jump in.

Michael

KuKulzA28 · 29th December 2011, 12:56 AM

I'm glad my thread-resurrection has stimulated some good discussion on the use of siraui...

I wonder though, why are there such fine examples, and some of them dressed like keris, if it was simply a utility knife?

The possibility of two forms, the often fullered ones and the ones with a choil(?) due to the edge dropping a lil from the tang... is intriguing. Maybe the siraui form was taken in a martial direction from the utility origins... ?

Someday I'd love to own a few, if only for a little bit... Sumatran weapons just don't cease on seizing my attention.

VVV · 29th December 2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

I'm glad my thread-resurrection has stimulated some good discussion on the use of siraui...

I wonder though, why are there such fine examples, and some of them dressed like keris, if it was simply a utility knife? [snip]

When I am back home I will try to add some more information on this. I checked when the "variation I" first appeared on the forum and it seems to be in this thread.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1897

Somehow several sources named it a siraui at that time.

Michael

KuKulzA28 · 20th January 2012, 07:53 PM

Well, while waiting for an update on this matter, I went ahead and got myself a modern made pisau that appears to be the same blade-style as one of the two types of siraui.

What do you guys think?

Rick · 21st January 2012, 01:28 AM

The form looks the same, just smaller; more like the size I would expect to see in a korambit .

Would size be a factor with this weapon ?

KuKulzA28 · 21st January 2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

The form looks the same, just smaller; more like the size I would expect to see in a korambit .

Would size be a factor with this weapon ?

I agree it does seem pretty small (but very handy). I think maybe blade length would matter since it feels like a slicer... and if one is to slice with a knife, a longer blade edge would definitely help. Whether or not it is a utility knife that can be easily used to fight with, or a fighting knife of a less-than-conventional style, or even two distinct types of knives, one for martial use and the other for mundane tasks... it seems like this is definitely a slicer if held conventionally...

However in pistol grip-like hold (like a badik) it punctures quite well without slipping (at least vs cardboard). Edge-up pistol grip feels odd to me... but maybe that is how it's meant to be used? Or maybe as a precision slicer.... I don't know.

I eagerly await a larger example to play with.

20th January 2012, 07:53 PM	#5
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Well, while waiting for an update on this matter, I went ahead and got myself a modern made pisau that appears to be the same blade-style as one of the two types of siraui. What do you guys think? Attached Images

28th December 2011, 06:42 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks David, Then I don't know how to proceed being away from my main reference books for another 1,5 week. Let's hope Albert or someone else who have them available can jump in. Michael

29th December 2011, 12:56 AM	#3
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	I'm glad my thread-resurrection has stimulated some good discussion on the use of siraui... I wonder though, why are there such fine examples, and some of them dressed like keris, if it was simply a utility knife? The possibility of two forms, the often fullered ones and the ones with a choil(?) due to the edge dropping a lil from the tang... is intriguing. Maybe the siraui form was taken in a martial direction from the utility origins... ? Someday I'd love to own a few, if only for a little bit... Sumatran weapons just don't cease on seizing my attention.

21st January 2012, 01:28 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	The form looks the same, just smaller; more like the size I would expect to see in a korambit . Would size be a factor with this weapon ?