Thoughts on this Malay (?) knife

pmacleman · 18th June 2006, 06:03 AM

I obtained this somewhere in my travels - can't really remember where. Looks vaguely SE Asian, maybe Malay? Any thoughts and advice welcome.

Coarse watered steel blade (acid etched?). Good condition and still very sharp. Nice quality wood hilt and sheath, looks like fruitwod but is probably tropical. Sterling silver fittings and furniture. Not a very robust guard.

Sorry photos aren't brilliant - it's harder than it looks to take good shots.

Thanks,

Paul

Henk · 18th June 2006, 09:57 AM

My first shot is a pedang.

Nice pamor blade. Origin Java or Sumatra

pmacleman · 18th June 2006, 10:29 AM

Thanks again Henk. Stone (p. 492) says a Pedang is shaped like a flyssa. This is much broader and shorter with no curvature of the blade... Also pistol not straight hilt as with flyssa. Might be a variant version.

Paul

nechesh · 18th June 2006, 02:38 PM

Looks more like a badek to me. Could be Javanese, but that opened window metal work on the sheath makes me think Madura.

Rick · 18th June 2006, 07:31 PM

There's something interesting about this blade ; may we see a close up picture of the area nearest the hilt please ?

nechesh · 18th June 2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

There's something interesting about this blade ; may we see a close up picture of the area nearest the hilt please ?

I think i see what you mean Rick. I'd like to see BOTH sides if possible. I like this badek. And i bet a restaining would do wonders for it. Are the fittings silver or silver-plate?

pmacleman · 19th June 2006, 12:40 AM

Fitting are silver. More pics of blade close to hilt as requested. Presume you are interested in the loop pattern in the steel?

What do you mean by re-staining?

Paul

Rick · 19th June 2006, 01:00 AM

Ahh , Batu Lapak ; the saddle stone on one side.
An auspicious blade indeed .

nechesh · 19th June 2006, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmacleman

What do you mean by re-staining?

Paul, i am referring to the traditional method of blackening the iron and raising the contrast in the pamor pattern with warangan, a mixture of arsenic and lime juice.
That is indeed a very nice badek and it could look even nicer with a traditional cleaning and staining.

pmacleman · 19th June 2006, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nechesh

Paul, i am referring to the traditional method of blackening the iron and raising the contrast in the pamor pattern with warangan, a mixture of arsenic and lime juice.
That is indeed a very nice badek and it could look even nicer with a traditional cleaning and staining.

Ahh, I know what you mean now. My grandfather who, together with my father, started me collecting had a very nice keris that I now realise had been treated in this manner. Did not know the term or the process, thanks.

Paul

Ki Jayamalelo · 19th June 2006, 06:50 AM

The blade could be South Sulawesi and its a badik. The "batu lapak" could be a trade mark and is not uncommon for badik blades. There has been an inter insular iron trade in Indonesian waters since long time. But it needs more research.

BluErf · 19th June 2006, 03:52 PM

Looks like a badik, or as the Sulawesi Bugis would call it - kawali.

The fittings are interesting though. Its not quite typical badik fittings. Almost has a Javanese/Madurese look to it.

18th June 2006, 06:03 AM	#1
pmacleman Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 17	Thoughts on this Malay (?) knife I obtained this somewhere in my travels - can't really remember where. Looks vaguely SE Asian, maybe Malay? Any thoughts and advice welcome. Coarse watered steel blade (acid etched?). Good condition and still very sharp. Nice quality wood hilt and sheath, looks like fruitwod but is probably tropical. Sterling silver fittings and furniture. Not a very robust guard. Sorry photos aren't brilliant - it's harder than it looks to take good shots. Thanks, Paul Last edited by pmacleman; 18th June 2006 at 06:06 AM. Reason: remove duplicate pics

18th June 2006, 10:29 AM	#3
pmacleman Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 17	Pedang Thanks again Henk. Stone (p. 492) says a Pedang is shaped like a flyssa. This is much broader and shorter with no curvature of the blade... Also pistol not straight hilt as with flyssa. Might be a variant version. Paul

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18th June 2006, 09:57 AM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	My first shot is a pedang. Nice pamor blade. Origin Java or Sumatra

18th June 2006, 02:38 PM	#4
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Looks more like a badek to me. Could be Javanese, but that opened window metal work on the sheath makes me think Madura.

18th June 2006, 07:31 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	There's something interesting about this blade ; may we see a close up picture of the area nearest the hilt please ?

19th June 2006, 12:40 AM	#7
pmacleman Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 17	Fitting are silver. More pics of blade close to hilt as requested. Presume you are interested in the loop pattern in the steel? What do you mean by re-staining? Paul

19th June 2006, 01:00 AM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	Ahh , Batu Lapak ; the saddle stone on one side. An auspicious blade indeed .

19th June 2006, 06:50 AM	#11
Ki Jayamalelo Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 18	The blade could be South Sulawesi and its a badik. The "batu lapak" could be a trade mark and is not uncommon for badik blades. There has been an inter insular iron trade in Indonesian waters since long time. But it needs more research.

19th June 2006, 03:52 PM	#12
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Looks like a badik, or as the Sulawesi Bugis would call it - kawali. The fittings are interesting though. Its not quite typical badik fittings. Almost has a Javanese/Madurese look to it.