a Sewar cross-dressing as a Badik?

[Moshah]

Originally Posted by Sajen

And yes, the patina is really great and the pamor of the blade very fine, it is the best piece of my badik collection.

I think the pamor make me think that way.

The blade, the dress and especially the hilt was really a feast to my eye!

One note on the hippo hilt - it was not easy to find one over here, as (i) it is rare all right and (ii) it was used in traditional medicine and shamanism, so they were really sought-after by many.

Actually, I've been told that all part of hippo would worth something in traditional medicine, so they never left anything behind...

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Moshah

I think the pamor make me think that way.

The blade, the dress and especially the hilt was really a feast to my eye!

One note on the hippo hilt - it was not easy to find one over here, as (i) it is rare all right and (ii) it was used in traditional medicine and shamanism, so they were really sought-after by many.

Actually, I've been told that all part of hippo would worth something in traditional medicine, so they never left anything behind...

Yes, I know as well about this. This is the reason why you can find keris hilts from this material where is something cratched awaway. Some Bugis dealer told me this long time ago.

[Sajen]

Here some fast taken close ups from the badik. It is dated in down from the scabbard (but don't know if it is from 1938 or 1838) and it has a inscription in the back of the scabbard (maybe someone is able to read it). Unfortunately I can't show the pamor better.

[Moshah]

No intention of giving it a good etch, Detlef?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Moshah

No intention of giving it a good etch, Detlef?

Hello Moshah,

not for the moment but maybe one day in the future.

[DAHenkel]

Moshah, what you have is a badik most likely from Terengganu or perhaps Pahang. The badik Kelantan has a slightly different form blade and scabbard as does Pattani, which is different again. However, unlike badik from Sumatra and Riau, Northeast Peninsular badik do have a bolster or "mar" in local terminology and thus resemble the Sumatran sewar. I have not seen material like that used for your hilt but looks like s/t marine...possibly fossilized. I will ask around next time I'm up in Kelantan.

[Moshah]

Originally Posted by DAHenkel

Moshah, what you have is a badik most likely from Terengganu or perhaps Pahang. The badik Kelantan has a slightly different form blade and scabbard as does Pattani, which is different again. However, unlike badik from Sumatra and Riau, Northeast Peninsular badik do have a bolster or "mar" in local terminology and thus resemble the Sumatran sewar.

Thanks for the clarification, Dave.

Anyway I am still puzzled, how to ID this blade as a badik, not a sewar? Certainly I am not very much exposed to Badik Terengganu and Pahang, so pardon me, I guess it is kinda basic traits that I am missing here.

Badik Pahang was even a greater mystery to me. But it is good that you've brought this out, since I can learn a lot from you, as you've been to and fro in the Kelantanese keris scene even before their kerises was well received and well known like today...

Originally Posted by DAHenkel

I have not seen material like that used for your hilt but looks like s/t marine...possibly fossilized. I will ask around next time I'm up in Kelantan.

Yup, to my knowledge it was a white akar bahar. Doesn't look antique to me, but definitely not a molar though. I'll post some close up pix later tomorrow.