Did I buy a Rencong?

Conogre · 5th March 2005, 09:17 PM

I'd have to say it looks a little better than an "average piece" unless one is fortunate enough to be able to afford the gold and ivory types, which not all of us are.
The tooling looks to be very well done with a better than average blade....for my money, I'd say that you did very well.
Mike

Alam Shah · 6th March 2005, 03:06 AM

Errr..I take it back. Beautiful piece.
The eBay pics do not do justice to your piece.
Your pictures, however, are opinion-changing. Beautiful piece.

Lucky you...good bargain.

Battara · 6th March 2005, 12:21 PM

Alam Shah - good point on eBay pics - usually not as helpful as one would wish. I would wonder if the piece is silver or silver plated brass now that I see better pictures.

Ferguson · 6th March 2005, 01:39 PM

Thank you gentlemen,
It's definitly brass. Someone has cleaned to vigorously and worn through in spots.

Steve

Alam Shah · 6th March 2005, 04:36 PM

My 'average piece' rencong.

Conogre · 6th March 2005, 05:06 PM

If I offended anyone or ruffeled feathers, I apologize, as that was not my intent.
The high end, royalty pieces are indeed beautiful treasures, the only difficulty being that sometimes it's difficult not to "oooh" and "ahhhh" (even though that's just exactly what we are doing , at least I am, and not without a certain amount of envy, I might ad)about and truly not be able to contribute anything worthwhile.
For those who DO have such pieces, my only request is that when you post a photo, tell us (or me **grin**) all that you can about it....while I may envy the owner, that doesn't mean I'm not appreciative of being able to view it and when possible, learn all that I can....I certainly don't begrudge him the good fortune.
A fellow forum member brought some of the most magnificent keris that I've ever seen to my home and I'll be forever thankful, as it was a once in a lifetime experience.....as my then wife put it, it was one of the few times she'd seen me speechless.
For lesser pieces, don't be discoraged there either, for, just as in an army, there are generals and there are footsoldiers, with most of the true weapons coming from the later category.
It would be nice if the wars were fought by JUST the generals, but I don't see that happening any time soon.
In some societies, a blade grows with its owner, with it not unusual for a medioce blade to be dressed far in excess of what one would think it deserved, while in others only the very best blades will sport true finery and perhaps never have been used at all, for anything.
In my humble opinion, they ALL are to be admired (I've TRIED to make a blade.....what a sad ending for a piece of steel) for what went into making it, and often, what transpired, possibly because of it, afterwards.
Mike

Ferguson · 6th March 2005, 06:49 PM

Alam Shah, that is a beautiful piece. I much prefer wood and horn for most pieces. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Conogre, I doubt anyone took offense. We're all friends here.

Here is an interesting article I found while searching for information on this dagger.
http://www.cimande.com/writings/other/rencong.htm

Steve

6th March 2005, 04:36 PM	#5
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	My 'average piece' rencong. Attached Images

5th March 2005, 09:17 PM	#1
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	I'd have to say it looks a little better than an "average piece" unless one is fortunate enough to be able to afford the gold and ivory types, which not all of us are. The tooling looks to be very well done with a better than average blade....for my money, I'd say that you did very well. Mike

6th March 2005, 03:06 AM	#2
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Errr..I take it back. Beautiful piece. The eBay pics do not do justice to your piece. Your pictures, however, are opinion-changing. Beautiful piece. Lucky you...good bargain.

6th March 2005, 12:21 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,212	Alam Shah - good point on eBay pics - usually not as helpful as one would wish. I would wonder if the piece is silver or silver plated brass now that I see better pictures.

6th March 2005, 01:39 PM	#4
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Thank you gentlemen, It's definitly brass. Someone has cleaned to vigorously and worn through in spots. Steve

6th March 2005, 05:06 PM	#6
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	If I offended anyone or ruffeled feathers, I apologize, as that was not my intent. The high end, royalty pieces are indeed beautiful treasures, the only difficulty being that sometimes it's difficult not to "oooh" and "ahhhh" (even though that's just exactly what we are doing , at least I am, and not without a certain amount of envy, I might ad)about and truly not be able to contribute anything worthwhile. For those who DO have such pieces, my only request is that when you post a photo, tell us (or me grin) all that you can about it....while I may envy the owner, that doesn't mean I'm not appreciative of being able to view it and when possible, learn all that I can....I certainly don't begrudge him the good fortune. A fellow forum member brought some of the most magnificent keris that I've ever seen to my home and I'll be forever thankful, as it was a once in a lifetime experience.....as my then wife put it, it was one of the few times she'd seen me speechless. For lesser pieces, don't be discoraged there either, for, just as in an army, there are generals and there are footsoldiers, with most of the true weapons coming from the later category. It would be nice if the wars were fought by JUST the generals, but I don't see that happening any time soon. In some societies, a blade grows with its owner, with it not unusual for a medioce blade to be dressed far in excess of what one would think it deserved, while in others only the very best blades will sport true finery and perhaps never have been used at all, for anything. In my humble opinion, they ALL are to be admired (I've TRIED to make a blade.....what a sad ending for a piece of steel) for what went into making it, and often, what transpired, possibly because of it, afterwards. Mike

6th March 2005, 06:49 PM	#7
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Alam Shah, that is a beautiful piece. I much prefer wood and horn for most pieces. Thank you for sharing it with us. Conogre, I doubt anyone took offense. We're all friends here. Here is an interesting article I found while searching for information on this dagger. http://www.cimande.com/writings/other/rencong.htm Steve