Peurawot from Aceh

kai · 7th January 2014, 09:27 PM

Hello Michael,

Quote:

Here are some additional close ups regarding your questions on material, design and if the blade has been reshaped
(quite possible because this is not the traditional blade shape for this knife but a early/mid 20th C version).

Thanks for the pics! I've seen the blade shape varying quite a bit with these - are you going to etch it?

Quote:

On it's use, in all references I have read it is described specifically as a knife for betel nuts.
Maybe it had some status implications to have a separate knife solely for this?

Yes, like I surmised earlier, it is quite possible that this was only used for this purpose by the upper strata of society. Not much else they are needing a knife for on a regular basis...

BTW, I've been traveling with a heavy betel user in another culture - the supply was coming ready to use from street vendors with not much to prepare. Does anybody know the traditional routine in Aceh when chewing betel in a social setting?

Regards,
Kai

Amuk Murugul · 8th January 2014, 01:43 AM

Hullo everybody!

Just a passing comment:

Peurawot, as its name suggests, was essentially used for carving/forming (hence the variation in blade-shape and size).
As for its use as a pinang cutter: I would suggest, more as a shaver, to which it would lend itself (in the absence of an implement specifically for that purpose).

It should not be confused with badik/rencong -type implements, which were designed for a different purpose.
Examination of the blade and handle should be a determining factor.

Best,

asomotif · 13th February 2016, 10:53 PM

Just adding an old picture from another thread

kai · 18th February 2016, 01:38 AM

Here some examples from my collection, finally.

Most are clearly status pieces while the last one appears to be a multipurpose tool rather than a specialised carving knife; note the similarity with Michael's larger example at the start of the thread (both blades not displaying the typical peurawot blade shape).

Regards,
Kai

kai · 18th February 2016, 01:46 AM

Here 2 more examples which seem to be related; arguably not peurawot in a strict sense but different piso types from Aceh: The first again a general purpose tool somewhat similar to the 2 larger examples discussed above and a status piso with Akar Bahar hilt (note blade profile and differently carved scabbard).

Regards,
Kai

Maurice · 18th February 2016, 12:27 PM

Some beautiful items you have there Kai.
Good to see that your camera is working finally. :-)

Here two that went through my fingers.
One has a hilt made of akar bahar and suassa, which has a length of 32 cm (in the scabbard).
The other one has no scabbard, a hippopotamus / suassa hilt, and has a length of 27 cm.

Kind regards,
Maurice

Battara · 18th February 2016, 12:59 PM

Wonderful pieces. I love the akar bahar and then the contrast between the ivory and the suassa!

asomotif · 20th February 2016, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Here some examples from my collection, finally.

"some"... this means you have more.

impressive !

kai · 22nd February 2016, 12:14 AM

No worries, Willem, this currently is my whole peurawot line-up.

I meant adding some more examples to this thread though...

BTW, I especially like the scabbard of yours, too!

Regards,
Kai

Sajen · 27th February 2016, 02:12 PM

Adding my humble example to this great reference thread.

8th January 2014, 01:43 AM	#2
Amuk Murugul Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben Posts: 472	What's in a name? Hullo everybody! Just a passing comment: Peurawot, as its name suggests, was essentially used for carving/forming (hence the variation in blade-shape and size). As for its use as a pinang cutter: I would suggest, more as a shaver, to which it would lend itself (in the absence of an implement specifically for that purpose). It should not be confused with badik/rencong -type implements, which were designed for a different purpose. Examination of the blade and handle should be a determining factor. Best,

13th February 2016, 10:53 PM	#3
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	Just adding an old picture from another thread Attached Images

18th February 2016, 01:38 AM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Here some examples from my collection, finally. Most are clearly status pieces while the last one appears to be a multipurpose tool rather than a specialised carving knife; note the similarity with Michael's larger example at the start of the thread (both blades not displaying the typical peurawot blade shape). Regards, Kai Attached Images

18th February 2016, 01:46 AM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Here 2 more examples which seem to be related; arguably not peurawot in a strict sense but different piso types from Aceh: The first again a general purpose tool somewhat similar to the 2 larger examples discussed above and a status piso with Akar Bahar hilt (note blade profile and differently carved scabbard). Regards, Kai Attached Images

18th February 2016, 12:27 PM	#6
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,453	Some beautiful items you have there Kai. Good to see that your camera is working finally. :-) Here two that went through my fingers. One has a hilt made of akar bahar and suassa, which has a length of 32 cm (in the scabbard). The other one has no scabbard, a hippopotamus / suassa hilt, and has a length of 27 cm. Kind regards, Maurice Attached Images

18th February 2016, 12:59 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Wonderful pieces. I love the akar bahar and then the contrast between the ivory and the suassa!

22nd February 2016, 12:14 AM	#9
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	No worries, Willem, this currently is my whole peurawot line-up. I meant adding some more examples to this thread though... BTW, I especially like the scabbard of yours, too! Regards, Kai

27th February 2016, 02:12 PM	#10
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Adding my humble example to this great reference thread. Attached Images