Tombak, Java
 

Hi,

I recently bought this tombak and when I opened the package I immediatly loved this item.
I know nothing about these tombaks, so you might help me with some questions.
I'd like to know from what age this tombak is approximatly.
I looked at the internet and I find a lot of tombaks but I cannot find a tombak like this one.
I appreciate your help, because I want to know what I have in hands.
Any more knowledge is welcome.

I attached some pictures of the tombak.

Maurice

Maurice

That is a nice old one you have there. The blade seems to have been made for real use unlike some others I have seen that are more ceremonial. A very nice find. Btw I remember reading somewhere that there was a famous Indonesian smith that made keris and spears using more refined steel in order to punch through European armor. Your spear reminds me of that story because it has a steelier look to it than most pamored tombak I have seen reminds me more of a Moro budiak spear.

Lew

Hi Lew,

That's exactly what I ment to say but I didn't express myself that way.
Indeed it has a steelier look, and the other ones I found on the internet where more pamored.

So it might not be originated from Java?
Now you made me very curious.

Thanks for your reply Lew.



Maurice

Another Smooth Tombak
 

When etched these blades show their construction quite plainly. :)
I wouldn't really call this a pamor but maybe it is. :shrug:
I know that the dress is recent but the tombak itself I have no idea about. :)

Hi Rick,

Your tombak has more colourdifferences as mine.
But the shape is close to my tombak.

Do you perhaps now where your tombak comes from (what area of indonesia)


gr.
Maurice

Hi Maurice,

A beautiful tombak. I agree with Lew's opinion on your blade. Your tombak seems to have a diamond cross-section while Rick's is more oval. :)

Hi Rick,

I like your blade but not the fittings. The blade seems to have some age to it. It looks more of a 'san mai' construction with a faint 'tunggak semi' pamor at the base of the tombak above the metuk. Another beauty. ;)

Hi Maurice, Yours might show such color differences too were it etched.

Alam Shah, I agree about the dress; not so great.
I wonder, since these blades are smooth could they be Balinese ? :confused:
There is a fairly pronounced central ridge on the blade; it doesn't show too well in the pictures but it is a diamond cross-section and has very sharp hardened edges.

Hi guys,

So it looks that I have a moro bodiak spear instead of a java tombak.
I wanted to sell this piece, but I like it so much I think I'll keep it for myself.

Maurice

tombak
 

this is an example of javanese tombak...
have a look....

Moro spears have a rectangular tang yours seems to be round therefore it's Indonesian and not Moro.

Lew

Does anyone have an example of an non-pamored tombak from java? Or are they always parmored????

Moro Budiak
 

This is a Moro Budiak . :)

Hi Rick,

That's a very nice one.