Horn grip?

Jeff Pringle · 16th December 2007, 07:55 AM

This was billed as a horn-hilted klewang, but the hilt is very thin and translucent, looks kinda like tortise shell - how is tortise shell different from horn?

kai · 16th December 2007, 08:43 PM

Hello Jeff,

It's an Alamang with a somewhat worn blade. This is one of the possible types of hilts associated with this Sulawesi weapon. The hilt and probably the scabbard could be later replacements though - can you post closeups from other angles?

BTW, it's most likely some kind of horn. There are blonde pieces which were often more valued than the regular, black waterbuffalo horn.

Regards,
Kai

Jeff Pringle · 17th December 2007, 12:45 PM

Thanks, Kai

The handle has a grain that looks like horn, but the color is a fairly good match for the plastic we call 'tortise shell' so I was wondering what the real stuff is like, it's been years since I've seen any. The blade on this is a narrow wedge shape, nicely tapered along the length. The grip has a silver band and the scabbard is wrappped in copper, so they do seem to be made at different times.

Pukka Bundook · 18th December 2007, 04:03 PM

Jeff,
the tortoise-shell i've seen was light coloured like this, but with dark, nearly black "splodges" here and there.
I don't know for sure, but think tortoise shell would be more brittle too, not flexible like horn.

Best wishes,
R.

Battara · 21st December 2007, 07:35 PM

Yes I'm with the horn camp. Tortoise shell has blotches in it.

spiral · 22nd December 2007, 12:15 AM

Yep looks like nice varigated horn to me.

Spiral

16th December 2007, 07:55 AM	#1
Jeff Pringle Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 189	Horn grip? This was billed as a horn-hilted klewang, but the hilt is very thin and translucent, looks kinda like tortise shell - how is tortise shell different from horn? Attached Images

17th December 2007, 12:45 PM	#3
Jeff Pringle Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 189	Thanks, Kai The handle has a grain that looks like horn, but the color is a fairly good match for the plastic we call 'tortise shell' so I was wondering what the real stuff is like, it's been years since I've seen any. The blade on this is a narrow wedge shape, nicely tapered along the length. The grip has a silver band and the scabbard is wrappped in copper, so they do seem to be made at different times. Attached Images

16th December 2007, 08:43 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Jeff, It's an Alamang with a somewhat worn blade. This is one of the possible types of hilts associated with this Sulawesi weapon. The hilt and probably the scabbard could be later replacements though - can you post closeups from other angles? BTW, it's most likely some kind of horn. There are blonde pieces which were often more valued than the regular, black waterbuffalo horn. Regards, Kai

18th December 2007, 04:03 PM	#4
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Jeff, the tortoise-shell i've seen was light coloured like this, but with dark, nearly black "splodges" here and there. I don't know for sure, but think tortoise shell would be more brittle too, not flexible like horn. Best wishes, R.

21st December 2007, 07:35 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Yes I'm with the horn camp. Tortoise shell has blotches in it.

22nd December 2007, 12:15 AM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Yep looks like nice varigated horn to me. Spiral