Big sized Indonesian Tombak

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

A nice piece.

You know how much I dislike trying to classify blades from photos, but I think I'm prepared to offer an opinion on this one. Based upon the form of the metuk, form of rondha, and size, I believe this can be classified as Tuban. Tuban blades of all types were very substantial, and the metuk and rondha are much closer to Tuban form than any other.

I would hope that when this has been cleaned and stained we see Tuban material.

Detlef, believe me:- you do not want the blade to have a "nice pamor"; you want it to have a typical Tuban pamor which will be wos wutah or ngulit semongko, rather coarse, heavily veined, and smooth to the touch. If you're real lucky the pamor might be hair-like, and then we can attribute to Mpu Bekeljati.

Hello Alan,

the tombak is stained and it seems that you have been correct, the pamor is like you supposed and the touch is indeed very smooth. What do you think, is it possible that this tombak is from Mpu Bekeljati?

Regards,

Detlef

[Indianajones]

Hi Detlef, nice piece also with that scabbard! I am no expert on Indonesian arms but it looks quite appealing. Although I do find it a bit worrying to have removed that wonderfull patine to see the pamor; but thats just me I guess. Did you know that with toothpaste one can clean very graduatly with the keeping of some patine? Congrats w your buy.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Hi Detlef, nice piece also with that scabbard! I am no expert on Indonesian arms but it looks quite appealing. Although I do find it a bit worrying to have removed that wonderfull patine to see the pamor; but thats just me I guess. Did you know that with toothpaste one can clean very graduatly with the keeping of some patine? Congrats w your buy.

Hi Indiana,

thank you, the trick with toothpaste I know but keris and tomak blades need with a very few exceptions a proper stain!

Regards,

Detlef

[David]

Detlef, you've just been a staining fool lately...
Another nice job on an nice interesting tombak.
@Indiana....collecting tosan aji weapons tends to follow different rules than many other types of blades. These blades are traditional cleaned and re-stained on a regular basis within the culture they come from and it usually is not considered desirable to maintain and aged patina on the blade surfaces. The pamor patterns are culturally important and meant to be seen, not hidden by years of dirt and wear.

[Rick]

I'm looking for a core and I don't see one .

Is this tombak made entirely from pamor material ?
I notice the methuk is integral .

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

I'm looking for a core and I don't see one .

Is this tombak made entirely from pamor material ?

Hello Rick,

yes it seems like this. Here two closeups from pesi-side.

Regards,

Detlef

[Sajen]

Here two pictures with the restored sheath!