Curious Indonesia hooked knife

ausjulius · 30th December 2024, 05:15 PM

I purchased this knife in indonesia so I'd be inclined to presume it originated there.

The leather sheath is interesting.
The handle is buffalo.
The seller thought it might be from Sumatra .. but I don't think so, I've never seen any leather sheaths in that region.
I think it's from Sumbawa as they have some curved knives like this and they have a little more of a leather working culture especially decorated horses tack in the Easter regions.
I've not seen a knife as this though and the scabbard and it's construction is Mexican or Spanish in style. Especially the large pad of leather with the belt loop behind it.
I've not seen any such knives in Timor before either . Nor any of the regions in the Philippines that used leather sheaths.
I'm pretty sure it's from Indonesia but just can't recall seeing one like it.

Sajen · 30th December 2024, 07:08 PM

Hi Ausjulius,

Have a look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=ayam and here: https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showt...ight=lawi+ayam

Regards,
Detlef

ausjulius · 31st December 2024, 05:30 AM

Yes it's part of the continium of the family of those hooked weapon pons of knife size (not tools) that encompass karambits and many styles throughout Malaysian cultures in South East Asia. The problem is these come from a very broad range from Borneo to Malaysia to Sumbawa.
The leatherwork is quite distinct and J feel I have seen knives and leather products exactly like this some place in Indonesia but I cannot recall where.
The sheath has quite a bit of work in it and doesn't seem to be a sort of one-off item or such but an intentional style.
Maybe Easter java some place ... Or somewhere in Sumbawa or Lombok. I feel like I've seen other items with exactly the same decorative style in the leather. Decorated with tacks and more robust that most south East Asian leather sheaths

30th December 2024, 05:15 PM	#1
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 434	Curious Indonesia hooked knife I purchased this knife in indonesia so I'd be inclined to presume it originated there. The leather sheath is interesting. The handle is buffalo. The seller thought it might be from Sumatra .. but I don't think so, I've never seen any leather sheaths in that region. I think it's from Sumbawa as they have some curved knives like this and they have a little more of a leather working culture especially decorated horses tack in the Easter regions. I've not seen a knife as this though and the scabbard and it's construction is Mexican or Spanish in style. Especially the large pad of leather with the belt loop behind it. I've not seen any such knives in Timor before either . Nor any of the regions in the Philippines that used leather sheaths. I'm pretty sure it's from Indonesia but just can't recall seeing one like it. Attached Images

30th December 2024, 07:08 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,912	Hi Ausjulius, Have a look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=ayam and here: https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showt...ight=lawi+ayam Regards, Detlef Attached Images Last edited by Sajen; 31st December 2024 at 01:01 AM.

31st December 2024, 05:30 AM	#3
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 434	Yes it's part of the continium of the family of those hooked weapon pons of knife size (not tools) that encompass karambits and many styles throughout Malaysian cultures in South East Asia. The problem is these come from a very broad range from Borneo to Malaysia to Sumbawa. The leatherwork is quite distinct and J feel I have seen knives and leather products exactly like this some place in Indonesia but I cannot recall where. The sheath has quite a bit of work in it and doesn't seem to be a sort of one-off item or such but an intentional style. Maybe Easter java some place ... Or somewhere in Sumbawa or Lombok. I feel like I've seen other items with exactly the same decorative style in the leather. Decorated with tacks and more robust that most south East Asian leather sheaths