Log in

View Full Version : Horn grip?


Jeff Pringle
16th December 2007, 07:55 AM
This was billed as a horn-hilted klewang, but the hilt is very thin and translucent, looks kinda like tortise shell - how is tortise shell different from horn?

kai
16th December 2007, 08:43 PM
Hello Jeff,

It's an Alamang with a somewhat worn blade. This is one of the possible types of hilts associated with this Sulawesi weapon. The hilt and probably the scabbard could be later replacements though - can you post closeups from other angles?

BTW, it's most likely some kind of horn. There are blonde pieces which were often more valued than the regular, black waterbuffalo horn.

Regards,
Kai

Jeff Pringle
17th December 2007, 12:45 PM
Thanks, Kai :)
The handle has a grain that looks like horn, but the color is a fairly good match for the plastic we call 'tortise shell' so I was wondering what the real stuff is like, it's been years since I've seen any. The blade on this is a narrow wedge shape, nicely tapered along the length. The grip has a silver band and the scabbard is wrappped in copper, so they do seem to be made at different times.

Pukka Bundook
18th December 2007, 04:03 PM
Jeff,
the tortoise-shell i've seen was light coloured like this, but with dark, nearly black "splodges" here and there.
I don't know for sure, but think tortoise shell would be more brittle too, not flexible like horn.

Best wishes,
R.

Battara
21st December 2007, 07:35 PM
Yes I'm with the horn camp. Tortoise shell has blotches in it.

spiral
22nd December 2007, 12:15 AM
Yep looks like nice varigated horn to me.

Spiral