Indonesian European style 'Falchion' for discussion

[gp]

Originally Posted by drac2k

Very nice sword. The scabbard looks like a Maasai sheath without the leather covering; do you think that it is original to the blade?

these are originals: made for the Dutch military police and also used in Indonesia when it was part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Some were shortened by the Japanese during WW2

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=klewang

[drac2k]

Sorry if my post wasn't clearer; I was referring to the first picture with the wooden scabbard.

[kronckew]

From pictures in the linked threads above, the wooden scabbards are fairly typical. there does seem to be a crack in the wood near the throat. Might be why the metal bands are there. I'll wick in some superglue when it arrives, justincase.


Coincidentally, the sword was listed with a decent Maasai seme & its red scabbard, which does look quite similar. It'll come with the klewang. Already have two, they seem to accumulate, like ex-wives...

Convergent evolution

[David]

Originally Posted by gp

these are originals: made for the Dutch military police and also used in Indonesia when it was part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Some were shortened by the Japanese during WW2

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=klewang

I have always been a bit confused why the Dutch chose to call these swords "Klewang". Obviously the word is original to the Indonesian weapons which really are a very different blade form, though i suppose the Dutch versions saw a lot of the same function as a jungle clearing tool/weapon. But these two types of klewang are shaped differently and weighed differently and i would image required somewhat different techniques to properly wield.

[gp]

Originally Posted by David

I have always been a bit confused why the Dutch chose to call these swords "Klewang". Obviously the word is original to the Indonesian weapons which really are a very different blade form, though i suppose the Dutch versions saw a lot of the same function as a jungle clearing tool/weapon. But these two types of klewang are shaped differently and weighed differently and i would image required somewhat different techniques to properly wield.

Here is a partial explanation: they took it from Indonesia, moreover Atjeh / Aceh.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klewang

In Dutch it became part of our language as we have an expression
“chase someone over the Klewang” …
Guess the meaning is quite obvious, as it is a quite rude way as well to express a deadly battle encounter / situation.
Became very fast integrated into the Dutch language: I recall my late father using it easily when describing the WWII encounters with the Japanese in the very few occasions he spoke about that time….
So it is very understandable the likes of Hembrug produced these klewangs

[werecow]

Originally Posted by gp

Here is a partial explanation: they took it from Indonesia, moreover Atjeh / Aceh.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klewang

In Dutch it became part of our language as we have an expression
“chase someone over the Klewang” …

Are you sure you don't mean the kling (blade)? I've heard "over de kling jagen" but never "over de klewang".

[gp]

Originally Posted by werecow

Are you sure you don't mean the kling (blade)? I've heard "over de kling jagen" but never "over de klewang".

Correct “ over de kling jagen” or even “ over de kling springen” is the correct proverb, must be my father used it in a wide way of speaking to ventilate his feelings of the jungle encounters.