An Indonesian knife..but what kind ?

Freddy · 2nd February 2009, 09:31 AM

I received this piece last week. I've been searching in Zonneveld's book on Indonesion weapons and also in other books, but I couldn't identify this knife.

I don't think it's a sewar as it has a cutting edge on both sides of the blade.

Perhaps anyone else can 'enlighten' me ?

The sheath and handle are made of wood. The handle has a horn addition near the base of the blade. I believe the blade itself is laminated.

Total length : 32 cm

A small part at the bottom of the sheath is missing. Does anyone know what needs to be added there (bone, ivory piece) ?

VVV · 2nd February 2009, 06:13 PM

Very nice and unusual!
It looks like a Sumatran Kuku Rimau (tiger's claw).
It's related to the Jambia/Beladau and the Kormabit.
On the missing tip I think it's supposed to be the same kind of wood as the rest of the scabbard.
Or maybe, not that usual, black horn to match the handle?

Michael

Henk · 6th February 2009, 09:57 PM

I don't know how you manage to get from time to time very unusual items to show us.
I think it could be a badek. A badek has many shapes and appearances, but this blade has the similarities with a badek I own.

Freddy · 7th February 2009, 11:22 AM

Henk.....It comes from Holland, like many of my Indonesian pieces.

VVV · 28th April 2009, 09:38 AM

Here is another variation of the Kuku Rimau, leaning towards a hybrid with a Korambi.
Anybody else who has other variations to share so we can learn more about this knife?

Michael

Sajen · 28th April 2009, 05:59 PM

Nice dagger, Michael will be right with Kuku Rimau and also that the tip could be from horn.
sajen

kai · 29th April 2009, 02:31 AM

Hello Michael,

Quote:

Here is another variation of the Kuku Rimau, leaning towards a hybrid with a Korambi.

From my sources, kuku rimau seems to me just another name for what we usually refer to as kerambit/korambi/lawi ayam/kuku ayam (a family of blades rather than a single, specific type). Do you have any references associating kuku rimau with the Sumatran blade type shown by Freddy?

Quote:

Anybody else who has other variations to share so we can learn more about this knife?

IMHO, this is an "undocumented" Sumatran dagger distinct from the korambi family (i. e. blade and hilt may lend to somewhat different usage). I've seen several of these and have tried to research their origin. Need to take pics though...

BTW, I believe that Michael's piece is fairly recent (e.g. the edge has never been sharpened) and probably not a traditional style. When I first saw fuzzy seller's pics I thought this might possibly be workmanship from around WW2 but upon examination I'm inclined to think that this is more recent and not really made for local use, sorry.

Regards,
Kai

2nd February 2009, 09:31 AM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	An Indonesian knife..but what kind ? I received this piece last week. I've been searching in Zonneveld's book on Indonesion weapons and also in other books, but I couldn't identify this knife. I don't think it's a sewar as it has a cutting edge on both sides of the blade. Perhaps anyone else can 'enlighten' me ? The sheath and handle are made of wood. The handle has a horn addition near the base of the blade. I believe the blade itself is laminated. Total length : 32 cm A small part at the bottom of the sheath is missing. Does anyone know what needs to be added there (bone, ivory piece) ?

28th April 2009, 09:38 AM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Here is another variation of the Kuku Rimau, leaning towards a hybrid with a Korambi. Anybody else who has other variations to share so we can learn more about this knife? Michael Attached Images

2nd February 2009, 06:13 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Very nice and unusual! It looks like a Sumatran Kuku Rimau (tiger's claw). It's related to the Jambia/Beladau and the Kormabit. On the missing tip I think it's supposed to be the same kind of wood as the rest of the scabbard. Or maybe, not that usual, black horn to match the handle? Michael

6th February 2009, 09:57 PM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	I don't know how you manage to get from time to time very unusual items to show us. I think it could be a badek. A badek has many shapes and appearances, but this blade has the similarities with a badek I own.

7th February 2009, 11:22 AM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Henk.....It comes from Holland, like many of my Indonesian pieces.

28th April 2009, 05:59 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Nice dagger, Michael will be right with Kuku Rimau and also that the tip could be from horn. sajen