Interesting Indonesian Knife...Siraui or Not??

CharlesS · 16th December 2013, 04:34 PM

At first glance I thought this knife was a siraui, but it clearly is meant to be held edge down, even though it fits into the scabbard very similar to the way a siraui would.

The hilt is horn, as is the wrangka, with the remainder of the scabbard being carved wood with a bone chape and silver bands.

Note also the unique brass bolster.

It has seen age and wear, but I don't think it's more than 50 or so years old. It measures 14in. overall, with a 7in. blade.

Sajen · 16th December 2013, 06:38 PM

Hello Charles,

I have bid as well by this auction, nice knife!

Like I have written in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=siraui I am nearly sure that this knifes with "siraui" wrong labeled and very inclined that this are pure utility knifes while siraui have a scabbard like the two shown examples in Alberts book, see pictures. And like Albert stated have sirauis blades with blood channels.

Regards,

Detlef

CharlesS · 18th December 2013, 12:16 AM

Sajen,

Thanks for your input. This has every bit the look and feel of a utility knife. Nonetheless, isn't it interesting how decorated these are for such duty!!?? BTW, your examples are very, very nice!

Sajen · 18th December 2013, 06:42 PM

Hello Charles,

agree, the look and feel is like a utilty knife and they are sometimes very fancy and decorated and I like them very much! And I see a lot of similarities with the sangi knives from the Bagobo, they comes sometimes also very fancy.

And you have also some very nice examples: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=siraui

Regards,

Detlef

David · 18th December 2013, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Charles,

I have bid as well by this auction, nice knife!

Like I have written in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=siraui I am nearly sure that this knifes with "siraui" wrong labeled and very inclined that this are pure utility knifes while siraui have a scabbard like the two shown examples in Alberts book, see pictures. And like Albert stated have sirauis blades with blood channels.

Regards,

Detlef

We have had this discussion about the differences between what appear to be two completely different knives called "siraui" before. Frankly i am still unsure if these more obviously utilitarian knives are legitimately called "siraui" of not. The only source that i have seen on the grooved version being called so in Albert's book. Anybody have other sources?
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=siraui

16th December 2013, 04:34 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Interesting Indonesian Knife...Siraui or Not?? At first glance I thought this knife was a siraui, *but* it clearly is meant to be held edge down, even though it fits into the scabbard very similar to the way a siraui would. The hilt is horn, as is the wrangka, with the remainder of the scabbard being carved wood with a bone chape and silver bands. Note also the unique brass bolster. It has seen age and wear, but I don't think it's more than 50 or so years old. It measures 14in. overall, with a 7in. blade. Attached Images

16th December 2013, 06:38 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Hello Charles, I have bid as well by this auction, nice knife! Like I have written in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=siraui I am nearly sure that this knifes with "siraui" wrong labeled and very inclined that this are pure utility knifes while siraui have a scabbard like the two shown examples in Alberts book, see pictures. And like Albert stated have sirauis blades with blood channels. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

18th December 2013, 06:42 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Hello Charles, agree, the look and feel is like a utilty knife and they are sometimes very fancy and decorated and I like them very much! And I see a lot of similarities with the sangi knives from the Bagobo, they comes sometimes also very fancy. And you have also some very nice examples: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=siraui Regards, Detlef Last edited by Sajen; 19th December 2013 at 01:37 AM.

18th December 2013, 12:16 AM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Sajen, Thanks for your input. This has every bit the look and feel of a utility knife. Nonetheless, isn't it interesting how decorated these are for such duty!!?? BTW, your examples are very, very nice!