Help identify Klewang

[David]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The problem with the word "klewang, kelewang" is that it has a different meaning for collectors, especially collectors outside the area of origin of the klewang, than for native speakers of Malay, Bahasa Indonesia and Javanese.

In all three of these languages a klewang is defined as a sword, and in BI and Javanese it must be broad and curved. According to Wilkinson it was very much favoured by the people from Aceh.

But my understanding of the way in which collectors use the word is that it can be tagged onto just about any short, heavy tool/weapon used for chopping.

In respect of the item under discussion here, it is probably correctly termed "madhik". This is a very ancient Balinese tool/weapon:-

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21896

Thanks Alan. That is very helpful information.

[Gustav]

Alan, regarding KK I agree. On other hand, till now I never have seen such a groove on something Wedhung-like outside of Bali.

Another place, which comes into mind seeing such anomalies, is Lombok (which Kai mentioned). On page 339 in "Keris di Lombok" there are pictures of spearheads of similar bent shape, one, perhaps two of them (the picture quality is terrible) most likely with back groove. On page before a Golok, which isn't bent, yet otherwise has perhaps the closest blade shape, with back groove too.

This object in question so obviously doesn't fit in any parameters, that it almost seems to be made to rise curiosity (and perhaps its price).