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Klop
19th July 2023, 04:29 PM
Dear members,

a while ago this knife crossed my path. The engravings remind me of parang naburs, and the closest thing I can find with this blade profile is "lading cara arab" (Sunfield traditional Borneo weapons part III, p 230). But that has a different base near the handle, stepped widening whereas this one is getting narrower (index finger fits perfectly overthere). I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Kind regards,
Eric.

Battara
20th July 2023, 03:22 AM
This kind of reminds me of the Indonesian version of the jambiya.

The "okir" at the base almost looks Moro to me.

Klop
20th July 2023, 07:11 PM
I had to google the term okir but I see what you mean, thanks.

Amuk Murugul
20th July 2023, 11:32 PM
- djambia Bandjar
- lading cara arab=Arab-style knife

Klop
21st July 2023, 09:15 PM
- djambia Bandjar
- lading cara arab=Arab-style knife


Terima kasih

asomotif
29th July 2023, 12:16 AM
Hello Eric,

That is a nice one.
The hilt shape and the decoration are very unique. I have not seen that before.

Klop
29th July 2023, 04:12 PM
Hi Willem,

thanks, me neither. The end of the hilt is also worked by the way, previous pics didn't show that.

Kind regards, Eric.

Rafngard
29th July 2023, 05:23 PM
Going along with what Jose said about the carving son the blade, the carving on the end of the hilt looks more than a little Moro to me.
I believe a number of Moros have ended up in Borneo, right?
Maybe a little influence?

Have fun,
Leif

kai
29th July 2023, 06:48 PM
Nice knife, Eric!

This clearly is from Negara with its major melting pot Banjarmasin: The engravings exhibit strong Malay influence and especially the carved hilt and scabbard are typical for short blades from that area.

BTW, "lading cara arab" is most likely just a description (given by a local to an inquisitive colonial officer) rather than a real name utilized within the culture for the piece shown in Schmeltz/AvZ. If anyone insists that this shall refer to a specific type of knife/dagger, I have to admit that I also fail to see a close relationship between the blade shown in Schmeltz/AvZ and Eric's piece; the scabbard construction is very different and the hilt with hardly more than similar overall shape.

While there evidently was contact via trade (and probably exchanges of gifts between rulers), I fail to see any evidence for Moro influences or even origins for this knife.

Regards,
Kai

Ian
31st July 2023, 01:26 AM
...
While there evidently was contact via trade (and probably exchanges of gifts between rulers), I fail to see any evidence for Moro influences or even origins for this knife.

Regards,
KaiI agree Kai. Nothing really to suggest a Moro influence.

asomotif
31st July 2023, 12:54 PM
Hello Eric,

Under the square decoration on the front there is a hole for a carrying/securing cord ?

Klop
31st July 2023, 08:18 PM
Hello Eric,

Under the square decoration on the front there is a hole for a carrying/securing cord ?

Hi Willem, yes that's it, the hole is coming through at part of the front making the decoration look like a bit like butterfly. Probably wear or by accident, at least I wouldn't make it like that intentionally on day 1 (leave more meat on it).

kronckew
1st August 2023, 09:43 AM
See Braiding rattan rings (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4844&highlight=rattan+braiding)for a replacement for the ethnographic tape band on the lower part of the scabbard.��

Klop
2nd August 2023, 02:06 PM
See Braiding rattan rings (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4844&highlight=rattan+braiding)for a replacement for the ethnographic tape band on the lower part of the scabbard.��

Yes I might do that some time. Braiding is an artform in itself and requires a lot of patience for the bigger ones. Turkish head knot is relatively easy but the wider knots, Spanish ring knot, herringbones...Youtube is full of tutorials but I can't wrap my head around it - pun intended :-)