" BEDOG / GOLOK 1.01 " :)

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody!
Just thought this may be of some use.

Today, the terms Bedog and Golok are often used interchangeably to refer to the same implement.
Initially, the bedog was developed as a multi-purpose chopper for agricultural use while the golok was developed as a multi-purpose chopper for martial use. Through time, there has developed an overlap, such that the defining boundaries between bedog and golok are no longer apparent. As a result, there is quite an array of variants, both for multi-purpose as well as for special- purpose use.

Basic Bedog/Golok Parts:

I. WILAH (Blade):
Consists of eight main parts:

1) Papatoek/Tjongo (Tip):
Two basic types:
1. Keroeng (Convex-curved forward from the Back-edge to the Cutting-edge).
2. Kewoeng (Convex-curved backward from the Back-edge to the Cutting-edge).

2) Waroega (Main-body).

3) Tonggong (Back-edge):
Two basic types:
1. Lempeng (straight).
2. Bentik (slightly concave-curved).
Three basic types of back-edge cross-section:
1. Demprak (flat).
2. Djekong Nonggong Koeja (hemi-spherical ridge).
3. Djekong Nonggong Moending (“v” ridge).

4) Djegong (False-edge): Not all have this.

5) Sogokan (Thin fuller):Not all have this.

6) Roentjang (Fuller): Not all have this.

7) Beuteung/Seuseukeut (Cutting-edge).

8) Gagang/Poepoeroes (Tang).

There are innumerable blade shapes, but all are variants of the following four basic ones:
1. Tonggong Lempeng (Straight Back-edge).
2. Tonggong Bentik (Slightly concave-curved Back-edge).
3. Beuteung Lempeng (Straight Cutting-edge).
4. Beuteung Ngagajot (Convex-curved Cutting-edge).

II. PERAH (Handle):
Handles have a gentle curve/slope.
Consists of five main parts:
1) Hoeloe (Pommel)
2) Awak (Main-body)
3) Tadah Rema (Finger-grooves): Not all have this.
4) Wewer (Collar): Not all have this.
5) Lelepen/Seloet (Bush/spacer): Not all have this.

Generally, there are two types of handles:
1. one which has an Eloek (Curve) at the back of the pommel
2. one which doesn’t.

Of the first type, there are three variations:
- 1. a pommel with a slight curve(<90deg. bend), generically known as Loetoeng Mojan.
- 2. one with a medium curve (approx.90deg. bend), the most common), known as Djengkol Sahoeloe/Djengkol Sagendoel.
- 3. one with an accentuated curve (>90deg. bend), referred to as Eloek Pakoe.

The practical function of the curve is as a stop for the little finger, thus preventing the hand from slipping off the handle.

Handles without the curved pommel are generically referred to as Pingping Hajam.
This type is a rarity.

III. SARANGKA/KOPAK/KOWAK (Sheath):
Consists of six main parts:
1) Djamprak/Rombiang/Toetoep-Loehoer (Throat): This may be integral to the sheath.
2) Beubeur (Wide-tie): Not all have this.
3) Simeut Meuting (Belt-clasp)
4) Simpaj (Narrow-tie): Not all have this.
5) Pontrang (Group of abutting simpaj): Not all have this.
6) Sopal/Toetoep-Handap (Sock/Tip): This may be integral to the sheath.

The general overall shape of the sheath is dependent on the shape of the blade and can be classified into four basic types, based on the shape of the sheath’s tip:
1. Boentoet Loebang (hemi-spherical with a lip along its circumference)
2. Oedjoeng Toeroen (tip cut in a straight slope)
3. Mear Sopakan (tip cut like the letter “s” at an angle)
4. Demprak (flat).

Other shapes are variants of these four.

(The attached photos may help to explain.)

Notes:
- Length: bedog/golok, approx. 40-42 cm.
bedog/golok pandjang, >42 cm.
- Betekok: a short, wide-bladed chopper
- Bendo: n.i.d.; no Soenda I've spoken to had any idea either. However, I did manage to find a Betekok from Bogor/Buitenzorg described as 'Bendo' in an old Dutch magazine.
- Gobang: a long chopper, usually with a curved blade.

Best,

[Albert]

An extremely interesting explanation.
Very systematic and detailed!
Thank you.

[CharlesS]

Superb info! I don't remember this subject being discussed in this detail here ever before.

Thanks! Outstanding!

[Sajen]

Thank you very much Amuk! Great and useful information! I think that this is only regarding Javanese Bedog/Golok?

Regards,
Detlef

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody!

Just some info about Golok Tjiomas:

Back in the day, the most famous/notorious “fighting” golok among the Soenda was Golok Tjiomas.
It was known for its keenness and strength.
Much favoured by Banten djawara (champions) was the short Salam Noenggal version.(In contrast to their rivals from Garoet, who favoured the long golok of Tjibatoe, Garoet.)
One of the characteristics of Golok Tjiomas was that it had “pin-stripes” along the blade, known as “soelangkar”.
Thus Golok Tjiomas was synonymous with Golok Soelangkar.
The Salam Noenggal version was so named because of its popularity among djawara. “Salam Noenggal” means “single greeting”. As it was usually only drawn in earnest, the blade was coated in toxins; one scratch and one can “kiss mother-earth goodbye”.
There were four basic types: tjandoeng, kembang katjang, salam noenggal and mamantjoengan.(see photos)

Best,

[ariel]

This is not my area of interest, but my hat is off for the obsessively-detailed description of the minute features of these weapons!
I knew that Indonesian weapons varied from island-to-island and village-to-village, but could not imagine such variability of features and terminology.
Never seen anything even remotely similar in any other place. Perhaps, only the Japanese get distant second with their hamons.
Splendid job and extremely important contribution!

[naturalist]

Thank you so much Ki Amuk.
I did notice that those blades are recently made, the red "tactical style" cord is now happening in the recent production of golok. But i do like it since it has no ricasso . Also it seems the blades fall into your explanation on the differences between golok vs pedang (on the "v" grind and convex grind). Recently made goloks, with the strong knives brotherhood forums movement in Indonesia, is experiencing (at least) it's second "modernization/westernization" after Tjikeruh era back to end of 1800s and early 1900s. Now the "tactical golok" made of high end steel will (mostly) have ricasso and full flat grind (under Ki Amuk explanation, full flat grind is no longer called as a golok). Will post my newly made Baduy Goloks all in sulangkar and traditional pakem (pattern).

Originally Posted by Amuk Murugul

Hullo everybody!

Just some info about Golok Tjiomas:

Back in the day, the most famous/notorious “fighting” golok among the Soenda was Golok Tjiomas.
It was known for its keenness and strength.
Much favoured by Banten djawara (champions) was the short Salam Noenggal version.(In contrast to their rivals from Garoet, who favoured the long golok of Tjibatoe, Garoet.)
One of the characteristics of Golok Tjiomas was that it had “pin-stripes” along the blade, known as “soelangkar”.
Thus Golok Tjiomas was synonymous with Golok Soelangkar.
The Salam Noenggal version was so named because of its popularity among djawara. “Salam Noenggal” means “single greeting”. As it was usually only drawn in earnest, the blade was coated in toxins; one scratch and one can “kiss mother-earth goodbye”.
There were four basic types: tjandoeng, kembang katjang, salam noenggal and mamantjoengan.(see photos)

Best,