Big sized Indonesian Tombak

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Sajen, actually I would love to know what this blade was actually used for 'tribally'. I read I am not d only novice on kerises etc. (thankfully)

Hello Wouter,

can't answer your query with certain but I think heirloom and representation are a factor. I think tombaks are in this matter very similar with keris. Alan G. Maisey or our Indonesian members will be able to give a more qualified answer.

[A. G. Maisey]

In Jawa tombak were a more generally used weapon than the keris, and although a tombak can have a pusaka character, it does not encapsulate the same, or even similar cultural roots nor values as the keris.

For simplicity think "weapon". However, for a very long time that weapon has usually been kept without its shaft, which can be between 2 and 4 meters or more in length, making it very inconvenient to keep in an ordinary house, usually tombak are now mounted on short display shafts or as daggers.

Rulers and lords used to keep armouries stocked with tombak that were issued to levies in times of conflict, but ordinary people also kept tombak for personal defence as well as duty when called upon. In Jawa poorer people would simply use a sharpened bambu stake instead of a tombak with an iron blade.

[Sajen]

Hello Alan,

thank you very much for the given informations!

Regards,

Detlef

[Indianajones]

Indeed interesting. So originally I should 'picture these' with a long hardwood shaft and a brass ferrule?
I do know that this particular shape of spear (of Detlefs' tombak) is in many parts of Asia used specially for warfare. As for killing boar and fancy spears often have other forms. (if anyone has ever noticed n studied)

Best, Wouter

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Indianajones

So originally I should 'picture these' with a long hardwood shaft and a brass ferrule?

Correct, the ferrule can be from silver also!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Indianajones

I do know that this particular shape of spear (of Detlefs' tombak) is in many parts of Asia used specially for warfare. As for killing boar and fancy spears often have other forms. (if anyone has ever noticed n studied)

Maybe it is important to add that this size of tombak is a little bit unusual in my limited experience.
Here a picture with two other javanese tombak from my collection.

Regards,

Detlef

[Atlantia]

It is a huge improvement.
Do different people use different substances to etch and restain pamor blades or would that be sacrilege?

[David]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

It is a huge improvement.
Do different people use different substances to etch and restain pamor blades or would that be sacrilege?

I am going to be lazy here Gene and simply suggest to check the archives. We have has so many threads on keris blade staining along with discussions on the use of warangan vs. other possible staining methods.