Tombak spearhead

A. G. Maisey · 1st February 2020, 12:31 AM

In respect of the method of manufacture of this tombak, all we're looking at is a simple mlumah billet, that is, random pattern a la wos wutah, ngulit semangko, etc., that has been forged to 90 degrees from its original orientation, so the effect when it is forged to shape is that the edges of the contrasting material appear on the surface, rather than the faces of the material. In Javanese tosan aji this is pretty common. We call it "pamor adeg", ie, "standing pamor".

Rick, the earliest form of keris, the Keris Buda also used a metuk, which eventually became the mendak, I suspect this change occurred because the force of a blow lessened as the Modern Keris developed, the Modern Keris was used in a rapier-like fashion, the Keris Buda was used with a downwards hammer blow. The mendak can act as a sort of shock absorber, by crumpling or collapsing if the point were to strike something unyielding. The Keris Buda was supported by the edge of the palm, as opposed to the Modern Keris being held in a pinch grip. All this finessing around with strike force is obviously unnecessary with a spear or lance.

Admitted, it is often very difficult to get a clear impression of details from a photograph, but from what I believe I can see in the photo, I do think this metuk is mechanically fitted, not integral.

Rick · 1st February 2020, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Admitted, it is often very difficult to get a clear impression of details from a photograph, but from what I believe I can see in the photo, I do think this metuk is mechanically fitted, not integral.

Thanks Alan.
Let's posit then that this is a mechanically fitted metuk; what would be the reason for its not being an integral part of the tombak; is it solely for some mechanical advantage; or possibly for some esoteric reason like a stopper in a bottle meant to contain an isi or spirit that may have inhabited the weapon?
It certainly requires considerably more work to make and fit a metuk rather than to just thicken the base and shape the metuk integrally on the blade.

A. G. Maisey · 1st February 2020, 03:20 AM

I do not know why Rick, but a tombak that has an integral metuk is usually considered to be a lower quality tombak.

I'm only guessing here, but it might have been because of some limitations in method of manufacture. The old-time smiths of Jawa did not have access to similar tools back in the 14th, 15th century, as what they had later, after European contact.

It just might have been easier for them to fit that metuk rather than to carve it from a large solid. This mechanically fitted metuk then became what was expected, maybe it was recognised as a sign of quality, so even after they could forge more finely, they continued to fit the metuk rather than forge it integrally.

Pieje · 1st February 2020, 12:01 PM

Here is the wooden pole, for those interested (120cm).
I had a closer look and metuk seems indeed mechanically fitted.

1st February 2020, 12:01 PM	#4
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Here is the wooden pole, for those interested (120cm). I had a closer look and metuk seems indeed mechanically fitted. Attached Images Last edited by Pieje; 1st February 2020 at 09:29 PM.

1st February 2020, 12:31 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,989	In respect of the method of manufacture of this tombak, all we're looking at is a simple mlumah billet, that is, random pattern a la wos wutah, ngulit semangko, etc., that has been forged to 90 degrees from its original orientation, so the effect when it is forged to shape is that the edges of the contrasting material appear on the surface, rather than the faces of the material. In Javanese tosan aji this is pretty common. We call it "pamor adeg", ie, "standing pamor". Rick, the earliest form of keris, the Keris Buda also used a metuk, which eventually became the mendak, I suspect this change occurred because the force of a blow lessened as the Modern Keris developed, the Modern Keris was used in a rapier-like fashion, the Keris Buda was used with a downwards hammer blow. The mendak can act as a sort of shock absorber, by crumpling or collapsing if the point were to strike something unyielding. The Keris Buda was supported by the edge of the palm, as opposed to the Modern Keris being held in a pinch grip. All this finessing around with strike force is obviously unnecessary with a spear or lance. Admitted, it is often very difficult to get a clear impression of details from a photograph, but from what I believe I can see in the photo, I do think this metuk is mechanically fitted, not integral.

1st February 2020, 03:20 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,989	I do not know why Rick, but a tombak that has an integral metuk is usually considered to be a lower quality tombak. I'm only guessing here, but it might have been because of some limitations in method of manufacture. The old-time smiths of Jawa did not have access to similar tools back in the 14th, 15th century, as what they had later, after European contact. It just might have been easier for them to fit that metuk rather than to carve it from a large solid. This mechanically fitted metuk then became what was expected, maybe it was recognised as a sign of quality, so even after they could forge more finely, they continued to fit the metuk rather than forge it integrally.