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colin henshaw
16th January 2011, 12:52 PM
Hi

I bought this small knife as I was impressed by the quality of manufacture, although South East Asia is not really my area. I believe these to be called bade bade from Indonesia ? (or Malayasia).

Could someone kindly help with identification, age, origin etc. Also were they for use as a weapon or mainly as an article of dress ? Length in sheath approx. 30cm.

Thanks in advance.

Sajen
16th January 2011, 01:06 PM
The shape of the blade is like a badik but neither the handle nor the sheath look like the badiks I know. Maybe a badik from a other island than Sulawesi or Java? Is the ferrule from silver or suassa?

Regards,

Detlef

colin henshaw
16th January 2011, 01:24 PM
Thanks Detlef,

The ferrule centre section seems to be made of copper, with silver at each end. Regret I am not familiar with suassa and what it looks like...

Regards.

David
16th January 2011, 02:03 PM
Thanks Detlef,

The ferrule centre section seems to be made of copper, with silver at each end. Regret I am not familiar with suassa and what it looks like...

Regards.
Colin, suassa can look a bit like copper as it is a low carat gold with a lot of copper in it. So it is a bit coppery, but less likely to tarnish.
Looks like a nice knife to me. Sorry i can't tell you more. :)

erikscollectables
16th January 2011, 02:26 PM
It seems to be a Batak item - a bit like a kalasan.

Regards, Erik

Battara
16th January 2011, 05:50 PM
By the color of the metal, I would say copper and not suassa. Suassa does not patina like that.

KuKulzA28
17th January 2011, 06:21 AM
I heard these were called rawit... small utility/fighting knives... :shrug:

asomotif
17th January 2011, 06:53 AM
Yes, this is Batak / a rawit.

Considering the materials they use, I would suspect Suasa.
But daylight pictures might help.

Nice piece. congrats !

Best regards,
Willem

colin henshaw
18th January 2011, 11:13 AM
Many thanks to those who have contributed on this item. Here are a couple of better images of the hilt.

Is it possible to assign an approximate date to the knife ? Presumably the knife would have been worn in a waistband or sash of some sort ?

Regards.

erikscollectables
18th January 2011, 06:24 PM
My guess would be between 1880 and 1920....