Tangkitn / Pandat with motive

[Cakszz]

I've just acquired new pandat/tangkitn for my collection. Does anyone have any idea about this blades. Thank you

[drac2k]

Beautiful; is that silver inlay on the blade ?

[Cakszz]

Beautiful; is that silver inlay on the blade ?

Yes brother.. do you have any references of anything like this?

[drac2k]

No, I just really like the sword.

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo Cakszz ! :)

The blade has swastika motif bounded by leaf-scroll motif at the ends (common in SE-Asia).
Also see: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.php?p=229285&postcount=1, item #3

Best,

[Sajen]

I've just acquired new pandat/tangkitn for my collection. Does anyone have any idea about this blades. Thank you

Very nice! Can we see the complete sword with handle?

Regards,
Detlef

[Cakszz]

Hullo Cakszz ! :)

The blade has swastika motif bounded by leaf-scroll motif at the ends (common in SE-Asia).
Also see: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.php?p=229285&postcount=1, item #3

Best,

Yes most tangkitn or pandat is monosteel without any motive.. quite rare indeed.

[kai]

Hello Cakszz,

I've just acquired new pandat/tangkitn for my collection. Does anyone have any idea about this blades.
Congrats, an exceptional piece with also much of the metal (tin alloy?) covering the hilt intact! Like Detlef, I'd also ask you to kindly provide pics of the whole piece as well as of each of the 4 sides of the hilt - thanks in advance!

Have you tested the inlay for silver? I'm wondering if it might be some other alloy.

Just curious of its provenance: Did you acquire this locally or from Kalimantan Barat?

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Yes most tangkitn or pandat is monosteel without any motive..
BTW, all old examples that I've examined closely enough exhibited laminated blades constructed with non-contrasting layers. While there might be a very few forged from imported modern steel, I'm pretty sure your's is laminated, too.

Regards,
Kai

[Battara]

Wonderful blade! I didn't know that this motif was common in Indonesia, I usually see this on Balinese blades.

The metal inlay looks like silver!

Please show pics of the whole piece.

[kino]

What’s the best way of removing the red rust from this blade without compromising the silver inlays?

[David]

Kino, i'm not really seeing much red rust on this blade. If there is some minor surface rust i would go at it with some WD-40 and a toothbrush.

[David]

Wonderful blade! I didn't know that this motif was common in Indonesia, I usually see this on Balinese blades.
But Jose, Bali is IN Indonesia. ;)

[David]

Yes brother.. do you have any references of anything like this?
The pattern in this motif is common in South East Asia, with links to both Hindu and Buddhist culture.It is an endless swastika pattern, a solar symbol intended to provide good luck and protection.

[kino]

Kino, i'm not really seeing much red rust on this blade. If there is some minor surface rust i would go at it with some WD-40 and a toothbrush.

I tried the toothbrush and WD-40 method before and was unsuccessful. I was tempted to use fine steel wool but I’m afraid of the possibility of snagging an inlay.

This looks like red rust to me. Photo is blurry.

[werecow]

Could EDTA gel work maybe?

See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhzNttK_-ko

He says it works on a tulwar with koftgari:

https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxPChJIPTNNKvFdo-fZDNeHHJ0hiXzBMGr

The EDTA gel seems to work on koftgari. Modified with sodium bicarbonate to slightly above neutral pH, did not affect the cross-hatching or iron oxides below the koftgari.

The silver overlay remained grey after gel removal but rapidly brightened when wiped with oil. Two or three gentle passes of a paper towel, in circular motions, and the silver oxidation was removed.

[Rafngard]

Just for another example of this pattern, I have a wedung with a very similar inlay, though it's brass rather than silver.

Thanks,
Leif

[David]

I tried the toothbrush and WD-40 method before and was unsuccessful. I was tempted to use fine steel wool but I’m afraid of the possibility of snagging an inlay.

This looks like red rust to me. Photo is blurry.
I don't see the rust in the photo, but if you see firsthand i don't doubt you.
I would try spraying on WD-40 and really letting it soak in for a bit before brushing.
As for steel wool, 0000 or even 000 grade should not cause any damage, at least not in my experience. As always, work slowly and carefully.

[David]

Just for another example of this pattern, I have a wedung with a very similar inlay, though it's brass rather than silver.

Thanks,
Leif
That's a rather strange wedhung. I have seen these inlay patterns on what people mistakenly call "Balinese Wedhung", but never on a true Javanese wedhung. Your blade is not quite correct for a Javanese wedhung. It shows no wideng for instance and the shape blade profile is close, but not quite right to Javanese forms. But the sheath is clearly from a Javanese wedhung. Were these married at a later date with the blade possibly being from Bali? Do you have any info on its origin?

[Rafngard]

That's a rather strange wedhung. I have seen these inlay patterns on what people mistakenly call "Balinese Wedhung", but never on a true Javanese wedhung. Your blade is not quite correct for a Javanese wedhung. It shows no wideng for instance and the shape blade profile is close, but not quite right to Javanese forms. But the sheath is clearly from a Javanese wedhung. Were these married at a later date with the blade possibly being from Bali? Do you have any info on its origin?

It was an ebay find, so I'm afraid I can't tell you much about it. It the sheath definitely fits like it was made for it.

It's certainly possible it was a kind of cross cultural piece.

I can add some more pics if you'd like to look at them later.

Thanks,
Leif

[Rafngard]

Here's a few more pics of my weird Wedhung.

Thanks,
Leif