SEA "golok", from where?

Sajen · 8th July 2013, 09:00 PM

This short sword, golok similar ended yesterday by ebay, now I ask myself from where it coming, the rusty blade seems simple forged but I like the handle. Someone out there is able to tell me the origin or have seen something similar before? Like usual all comments are very welcome.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Golok-machet...#ht_127wt_1170

VVV · 8th July 2013, 10:29 PM

Very interesting.

The hilt resembles those old ones once found around Lake Poso in Central Sulawesi. However, the blade does not?

Michael

kai · 9th July 2013, 02:17 AM

Hello Detlef,

I'm with Michael - central Sulawesi lake area. I hope you did grab it?

Regards,
Kai

Sajen · 9th July 2013, 08:12 AM

Thank you both, I know that I have seen this style of hilt before. Michael, do you have pictures or references? Is it possible that we have discussed this before at this place?

And yes, I am the winner of this auction.

Regards,

Detlef

VVV · 9th July 2013, 09:04 AM

Congratulations, this is a very rare find!

Here are some reference hilts from Kaudern's book.
I found one with a resembling hilt in mid-2007 and I think we discussed it then at this forum.

Michael

kai · 9th July 2013, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

I found one with a resembling hilt in mid-2007 and I think we discussed it then at this forum.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3953

kai · 9th July 2013, 10:51 AM

Hello Michael,

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

The hilt resembles those old ones once found around Lake Poso in Central Sulawesi. However, the blade does not?

Seems to be on the short side - possibly more of a utility version similar to a Labo blade?

OTOH, quite a few penai and related swords from that general area come with fairly slender (if not flimsy) sword blades that are often considerably shorter than the heavily decorated scabbards suggesting that these may be more status pieces than primarily used as weapons.

Regards,
Kai

kai · 9th July 2013, 10:55 AM

Hello Detlef,

Quote:

the rusty blade seems simple forged but I like the handle.

I'm pretty sure that the heavy rust hides a genuine, laminated blade. Please post pics after cleaning and staining! I hope we'll be able to glean some more info from "reading" the blade!

Regards,
Kai

Sajen · 9th July 2013, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

Congratulations, this is a very rare find!

Here are some reference hilts from Kaudern's book.
I found one with a resembling hilt in mid-2007 and I think we discussed it then at this forum.

Michael

Thank you for this picture, I think this is matching!

Regards,

Detlef

Sajen · 9th July 2013, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Michael,

Seems to be on the short side - possibly more of a utility version similar to a Labo blade?

OTOH, quite a few penai and related swords from that general area come with fairly slender (if not flimsy) sword blades that are often considerably shorter than the heavily decorated scabbards suggesting that these may be more status pieces than primarily used as weapons.

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,

thank you for the link from Michaels sword, this one I have had in mind. And agree with you that my one seems to be a utility version.

Regards,

Detlef

Sajen · 9th July 2013, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Detlef,

I'm pretty sure that the heavy rust hides a genuine, laminated blade. Please post pics after cleaning and staining! I hope we'll be able to glean some more info from "reading" the blade!

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,

agree again with you, the blade is most probable laminated but maybe not careful forged, I see forging flaws. We will know more after I have received it and have worked on it.

Regards,

Detlef

Sajen · 20th July 2013, 04:11 PM

Have received it and it is a utility knife in form of a golok and the blade is laminated. But I only have removed the active rust and have decided to let the blade dark like this. Maybe by time the handle will get a new ferrule from brass.

Sajen · 22nd March 2020, 05:58 PM

Here a picture after the blade get cleaned and etched.

kai · 22nd March 2020, 08:49 PM

Very good piece, Detlef! Good work: I knew there were some nice laminations hiding...

Interesting to see that the enlarged tip was planned for and not just forged out from uniform stock.

BTW, what is the blade's thickness?

Regards,
Kai

Sajen · 23rd March 2020, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Very good piece, Detlef! Good work: I knew there were some nice laminations hiding...

Interesting to see that the enlarged tip was planned for and not just forged out from uniform stock.

BTW, what is the blade's thickness?

Thank you Kai!

I've known it as well, the lamination was visible despite the hard corrosion, one reason to clean the blade.
It's a very massive knife, it's 9 mm thick at the base and still 3 mm near the tip of the blade.

Regards,
Detlef

Battara · 23rd March 2020, 12:48 AM

I LOVE what you did with the blade!

Sajen · 23rd March 2020, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I LOVE what you did with the blade!

Hello Jose,
It was a very good friend, not me!

Also when he isn't a member he lurking regulary here and will read your compliment!

I think that this knife is very old.

Regards,
Detlef

8th July 2013, 09:00 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	SEA "golok", from where? This short sword, golok similar ended yesterday by ebay, now I ask myself from where it coming, the rusty blade seems simple forged but I like the handle. Someone out there is able to tell me the origin or have seen something similar before? Like usual all comments are very welcome. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Golok-machet...#ht_127wt_1170 Attached Images Last edited by Sajen; 8th July 2013 at 09:12 PM.

9th July 2013, 02:17 AM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Detlef, I'm with Michael - central Sulawesi lake area. I hope you did grab it? Regards, Kai Last edited by kai; 9th July 2013 at 09:56 AM.

9th July 2013, 09:04 AM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Congratulations, this is a very rare find! Here are some reference hilts from Kaudern's book. I found one with a resembling hilt in mid-2007 and I think we discussed it then at this forum. Michael Attached Images

20th July 2013, 04:11 PM	#12
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Have received it and it is a utility knife in form of a golok and the blade is laminated. But I only have removed the active rust and have decided to let the blade dark like this. Maybe by time the handle will get a new ferrule from brass. Attached Images

22nd March 2020, 05:58 PM	#13
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Here a picture after the blade get cleaned and etched. Attached Images

8th July 2013, 10:29 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Very interesting. The hilt resembles those old ones once found around Lake Poso in Central Sulawesi. However, the blade does not? Michael

9th July 2013, 08:12 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Thank you both, I know that I have seen this style of hilt before. Michael, do you have pictures or references? Is it possible that we have discussed this before at this place? And yes, I am the winner of this auction. Regards, Detlef

22nd March 2020, 08:49 PM	#14
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Very good piece, Detlef! Good work: I knew there were some nice laminations hiding... Interesting to see that the enlarged tip was planned for and not just forged out from uniform stock. BTW, what is the blade's thickness? Regards, Kai

23rd March 2020, 12:48 AM	#16
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I LOVE what you did with the blade!