Amanremu

[Machetero]

Here are a few pics of my Sikin, with the hair and all. The last picture shows a curious number stamped into the blade spine. What it means, I suppose I will never know. Perhaps just a collectors cataloging number. Perhaps something more exciting. I hope to see more of these hair tufts on Northern Sumatra swords, it is invigorating to stumble upon something which at first just seems like an anomaly, and then proves to be something more.
/Odd

[Machetero]

Roland. I love that blade on the sikin pasangan, Especially the beautiful curvature of that false edge.

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by Machetero

Here are a few pics of my Sikin, with the hair and all.

Machetero,

that is a nice Sikin Panjang with its original scabbard, which got lost in most cases. It is the first Sikin Panjang I see with a hair tuft and since the Sikin Panjang is a pure weapon, no multitool like many others, I think the blade of your Sikin is probably of good to high quality.

Yesterday I saw a little bit of the forging pattern of the Amanremu and it is absolutely awesome.

Roland

[Roland_M]

This is a little embarrasing for me, last night I found out, this Amanremu is no Amanremu. It is a rare Batak Pakpak Ladingin.
As soon as I'm satisfied with my restoration work, I will show it again with its real name. The forging pattern is worth to show.

[kai]

Hello Roland,

this Amanremu is no Amanremu. It is a rare Batak Pakpak Ladingin.

Woa, hold your horses!

While it may be argued that there might be a continuum Amanremu - Mermu - Ladingin, your blade is at the very Amanremu end of the whole spectrum...

Regards,
Kai

[Battara]

So sikim and amanremu had hair coming from the hollow place in the hilt..........

[kai]

Hello Jose,

So sikim and amanremu had hair coming from the hollow place in the hilt..........

I still don't think so; however, I can't prove a negative.

Regards,
Kai

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Roland,


Woa, hold your horses!

While it may be argued that there might be a continuum Amanremu - Mermu - Ladingin, your blade is at the very Amanremu end of the whole spectrum...

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,

it is a Batak Pakpak Ladingin!
Here is my source and if you search for "Ladingin" you will find one from Gavin Nugent, which is very similar to my one and it also fits exactly to the Ladingin from Volz. The Amanremu got longer "horns" on the hilt and the tip of the blade is less rounded.

Roland

[kai]

Hello Roland,

it is a Batak Pakpak Ladingin!

My vote is still amanremu/mermu based on the blade (profile/etc., see below).

Here is my source and if you search for "Ladingin" you will find one from Gavin Nugent, which is very similar to my one and it also fits exactly to the Ladingin from Volz. The Amanremu got longer "horns" on the hilt and the tip of the blade is less rounded.

I have Volz and agree that the example from Gavin's site is a typical ladingin. (I'm attaching a few pics for future reference. BTW, I believe this piece has a laminated blade with steel slorok.)

Ladingin blades typically exhibit a relatively evenly-radiused tip and fairly slender blades. Amanremu/mermu typically have this steep, kinda angled tip profile; however, this can get worn out from use. Mermu from the southern end of their distribution can have fairly slender blades which can blur the distinction between worn mermu blades and ladingin somewhat...

I agree that the hilt of your piece does merit a closer look: Pics from different angles would be great!

Regards,
Kai