Origin of the Tombak?

[VANDOO]

I HAVE SEEN THE DAGGERS WITH THE PARMOR SPEAR BLADES REFERRED TO AS TOMBAK, IS IT THE CORRECT NAME OR IS THERE A BETTER NAME FOR THEM

AS TO HOW THE DAGGER MADE USING AN OLD SPEAR BLADE ORIGINATED PERHAPS IT WAS BECAUSE AN OCUPING FORIGN POWER PASSED LAWS FORBIDDING SPEARS BEING CARRIED INTO TOWN. OR IT MAY HAVE COME ABOUT AT A LATER DATE WHEN SPEARS WERE NO LONGER CARRIED AS GUNS WERE BEING USED.
I AM INCLUDING A PICTURE OF THE PHILIPPINE DAGGER SPEAR, THE SHAFT COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE SOCKET IN THE HANDLE AND CARRIED INTO TOWN LEGALLY AS A DAGGER. THERE ARE PICTURES OF 4 TOMBAK DAGGERS AS WELL. AS USUAL THE PICTURES I AM INCLUDING ARE FROM OTHER SOURCES THANKS TO ANY MEMBER WHO MAY HAVE ORIGINALLY POSTED THE PICTURES.

[kai]

Hello Barry,

I HAVE SEEN THE DAGGERS WITH THE PARMOR SPEAR BLADES REFERRED TO AS TOMBAK, IS IT THE CORRECT NAME OR IS THERE A BETTER NAME FOR THEM

If the blades have a metuk, they certainly qualify as tombak reagardless of the fittings. I'd stipulate that the pics show modern fittings though.

High-contrast pamor is often seen in Javanese spear blades but not all tombak exhibit this feature.

OR IT MAY HAVE COME ABOUT AT A LATER DATE WHEN SPEARS WERE NO LONGER CARRIED AS GUNS WERE BEING USED.

Yes, just convenient storage after becoming obsolete as weapons. I can't remember having seen an antique example mounted as a dagger though.

I AM INCLUDING A PICTURE OF THE PHILIPPINE DAGGER SPEAR,

Hinalung: http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/ifugao/index.html

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

I've been kindly corrected that the name tombak is applied to any kind of spear (even without any metal tip) by Javanese, too.

Regards,
Kai

[VANDOO]

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION KAI

I HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW SPEAR BLADES THAT ARE IN VARIOUS INTERESTING FORMS, ARE THEY CEREMONIAL. I ALSO WONDER IF THEY WOULD BE REFERED TO AS TOMBAK OR WOULD HAVE ANOTHER NAME DESCRIBING THEM.

PICTURES OF A NICELY STAINED TOMBAK, AND PICTURES OF VARIOUS FORMS OF SPEAR FROM JAVA.

[BigG]

From what I have seen of samples in the hands of M'sian & S'porean collectors & based on my discussion wth pthers here, there is a lcear distinction of a Tombak (Spear) and a Lembing (Javelin) amongst the malays ofthe peninsula & perhaps in Sumatra too. Where such distinctions may not be apparent from the Javanese perspectiv.

The Malay Tombak appears to be broader of blade. It may take the classic diamond pattern with an elongated tip or a more rectangular appearance at the mid section before it tapers to a sharp end. Lembing blades appear to be slimmer and has a more aerodynamic appearance. The blade generally do not conform to the diamond form found for the tombak. both may or may not have a spine...

The shaft of the tombak is also generally thicker, rigid and more substantial in appearnce. It has a more regular parallel appearance through out its length with metallic counterweights found at the butt end. The lembing shaft on the other hand are more slimmer. Its construction tapering towards the but end... some what like a very slim n elongated coke bottle... Unlike a tombak shaft which are usually plane... the malay lembing shaft at times have very well crafted forms running throughout its length. Its shaft appears to be segmented and has fine standing lines carved around each segment. Lembing shaft doesnt appear to have any counter weight or if they do, this appears to be more like a decorative metallic sleeve at the butt...

I hope those wth samples that I have described wld show this egs as I have none of my own for a more easier visual reference.

[Rick]

Welcome to the Forums BigG .

Here's another spear head for consideration; the Metuk is a separate piece .

[BigG]

Originally Posted by Rick

Welcome to the Forums BigG .

Thnx for the welcome Rick...

Will try to get a pic eg if I can