Tombak spearhead

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.

1st February 2020, 03:20 AM	#10
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,990	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.