Small Indonesian ? knife
 

Hi

I bought this small knife as I was impressed by the quality of manufacture, although South East Asia is not really my area. I believe these to be called bade bade from Indonesia ? (or Malayasia).

Could someone kindly help with identification, age, origin etc. Also were they for use as a weapon or mainly as an article of dress ? Length in sheath approx. 30cm.

Thanks in advance.

The shape of the blade is like a badik but neither the handle nor the sheath look like the badiks I know. Maybe a badik from a other island than Sulawesi or Java? Is the ferrule from silver or suassa?

Regards,

Detlef

Thanks Detlef,

The ferrule centre section seems to be made of copper, with silver at each end. Regret I am not familiar with suassa and what it looks like...

Regards.

Colin, suassa can look a bit like copper as it is a low carat gold with a lot of copper in it. So it is a bit coppery, but less likely to tarnish.
Looks like a nice knife to me. Sorry i can't tell you more. :)

Kalasan
 

It seems to be a Batak item - a bit like a kalasan.

Regards, Erik

By the color of the metal, I would say copper and not suassa. Suassa does not patina like that.

I heard these were called rawit... small utility/fighting knives... :shrug:

Yes, this is Batak / a rawit.

Considering the materials they use, I would suspect Suasa.
But daylight pictures might help.

Nice piece. congrats !

Best regards,
Willem

Many thanks to those who have contributed on this item. Here are a couple of better images of the hilt.

Is it possible to assign an approximate date to the knife ? Presumably the knife would have been worn in a waistband or sash of some sort ?

Regards.

My guess would be between 1880 and 1920....