Mandau side knives

Marcus · 18th March 2015, 04:36 PM

I have this sword on order. I see that over the years there has been quite a lot of discussion on these Mandau swords. My question is about the side knives. How were they used? I'm used to side knives being relative short, so they are practical for ordinary purposes, but theses seem long to be of just general use as little knives.

Maurice · 18th March 2015, 05:11 PM

In the literature often they refer to decompose knives or scalp knives when talking about these kind of sideknives, to cut off the flesh of a raced head.
This was not true at all, because these sideknives were used for everyday work. (Raced head trophees were left to rot the flesh off, or in other areas smoked dried).

With these sideknives the dayaks made the most beautifull carvings and artistic works out of hard materials, such as wood, bone, horn or ivory), for instance the scabbards and mandau hilts.

Also they used this knife to split rattan, and in Central Borneo it was even used to cut off the hair on their forehead.
Even these sideknives were used to cut their arms in "bloodbrother" rituals (Nieuwenhuis is writing about this in one of his quotes).

On the photo you can see how the sideknife was used to carve a mandau scabbard. The photo was taken during one of Nieuwenhuis's expedition.
The sideknife is so long because it was stuck under their armpit, as you can see.

Maurice · 18th March 2015, 05:28 PM

PS they also had smaller knives for different household purposes.
For instance on this photo, where the dayak is cutting out the pattern of a beadwork.
As you can see, he is not doing it with a side knife as worn on mandaus.

VANDOO · 19th March 2015, 01:51 AM

I HAVE READ OR HEARD THAT THESE WERE USED TO CUT HAIR AND GROOM FINGERNAILS ,ECT. SO BECAUSE OF THE PERSONAL ASSOCIATION WERE OFTEN KEPT WHEN THE SWORD MAY BE SOLD. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SPELLS OR BAD MAGIC BEING WORKED ON THE OWNER OR SOME OTHER REASON.
THE IRON THE BLADES ARE MADE OF IS DIFFERENT THAN THE SWORD BLADES AND IS SOFTER AND EASIER TO SHARPEN TO A RAZOR EDGE AND AS THE OWNER GETS USED TO USING IT FOR SO MANY DELICATE TASKS PERHAPS HE WANTS TO KEEP IT. FEEL FREE TO CORECT ANY MISTAKES I MAKE AS I AM FAR FROM EXPERT IN DAYAK WEAPONS BUT I SURE DO LIKE THEM.

Marcus · 19th March 2015, 03:55 PM

I look forward to getting the piece in. I'll post some pictures.

asomotif · 20th March 2015, 01:00 AM

In addition to Maurice's story a picture from Hornbill and Dragon.

And a picture of a special hanger that can hold 4 carvings knives.

asomotif · 22nd March 2015, 09:59 PM

Here a picture of the variety in blades.
These are the 4 knives in the hanger.

Gehazi · 22nd March 2015, 10:43 PM

extremely beautiful, wow!

18th March 2015, 04:36 PM	#1
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	Mandau side knives I have this sword on order. I see that over the years there has been quite a lot of discussion on these Mandau swords. My question is about the side knives. How were they used? I'm used to side knives being relative short, so they are practical for ordinary purposes, but theses seem long to be of just general use as little knives. Attached Images

18th March 2015, 05:11 PM	#2
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	In the literature often they refer to decompose knives or scalp knives when talking about these kind of sideknives, to cut off the flesh of a raced head. This was not true at all, because these sideknives were used for everyday work. (Raced head trophees were left to rot the flesh off, or in other areas smoked dried). With these sideknives the dayaks made the most beautifull carvings and artistic works out of hard materials, such as wood, bone, horn or ivory), for instance the scabbards and mandau hilts. Also they used this knife to split rattan, and in Central Borneo it was even used to cut off the hair on their forehead. Even these sideknives were used to cut their arms in "bloodbrother" rituals (Nieuwenhuis is writing about this in one of his quotes). On the photo you can see how the sideknife was used to carve a mandau scabbard. The photo was taken during one of Nieuwenhuis's expedition. The sideknife is so long because it was stuck under their armpit, as you can see. Attached Images

18th March 2015, 05:28 PM	#3
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	PS they also had smaller knives for different household purposes. For instance on this photo, where the dayak is cutting out the pattern of a beadwork. As you can see, he is not doing it with a side knife as worn on mandaus. Attached Images

19th March 2015, 03:55 PM	#5
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	Thanks for the information I look forward to getting the piece in. I'll post some pictures.

20th March 2015, 01:00 AM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	In addition to Maurice's story a picture from Hornbill and Dragon. And a picture of a special hanger that can hold 4 carvings knives. Attached Images

19th March 2015, 01:51 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I HAVE READ OR HEARD THAT THESE WERE USED TO CUT HAIR AND GROOM FINGERNAILS ,ECT. SO BECAUSE OF THE PERSONAL ASSOCIATION WERE OFTEN KEPT WHEN THE SWORD MAY BE SOLD. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SPELLS OR BAD MAGIC BEING WORKED ON THE OWNER OR SOME OTHER REASON. THE IRON THE BLADES ARE MADE OF IS DIFFERENT THAN THE SWORD BLADES AND IS SOFTER AND EASIER TO SHARPEN TO A RAZOR EDGE AND AS THE OWNER GETS USED TO USING IT FOR SO MANY DELICATE TASKS PERHAPS HE WANTS TO KEEP IT. FEEL FREE TO CORECT ANY MISTAKES I MAKE AS I AM FAR FROM EXPERT IN DAYAK WEAPONS BUT I SURE DO LIKE THEM.

22nd March 2015, 09:59 PM	#7
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	Here a picture of the variety in blades. These are the 4 knives in the hanger. Attached Images

22nd March 2015, 10:43 PM	#8
Gehazi Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: TN, USA Posts: 21	extremely beautiful, wow!