Knife from Madura

[Freddy]

This weekend I went to a historical weapons fair in Hoboken, near Antwerp. This is held once a year in February.

Besides a Yogyakarta keris, I found this knife. I was a bit intrigued and, as it wasn't very expensive, I just bought it.
I know it has a keris hilt, probably of originating in Madura or East-Java. It's made out of bone and looks quite old.
The blade is a bit of a puzzle to me. I think it is a 'reworked' keris blade.

Anyone else has an opinion ?

Total length is : 25,5 cm.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding001-5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding002-6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding003-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding004-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding005-4.jpg

[Henk]

You gave the answer yourself.

[Rick]

Agree, a 'revision' keris .

[Freddy]

Yes, but why 'cut' the blade in this way ? In my opinion, someone wanted to shape the blade in an European fashion. :shrug:

[Henk]

I always wondered what is going on in the minds of those who abuse a good blade................... :eek:

[Freddy]

Here are the first pics. What do you think, Henk ?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding003-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding004-6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding002-9.jpg

[Henk]

No Freddy, no abuse.

you don't show the whole piece but this is the blade of a mandau. The engraving is not unusual and certainly not an abuse. My first impression on this little bit blurry picture is a very fine mandau.
But the more knowledgeable members on the mandau can tell you more. I suggest you show us the whole mandau.

[Freddy]

Here are the rest of the pictures. I guess someone really used this mandau. Perhaps the bone or wooden handle was once lost and replaced by this one. The handle is made out of leather, that is a number of leather rings glued (?) to each other. Just a functional piece... with a mandau blade.

The blade is thick, measuring 8 mm near the handle...and very sharp.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding001-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding005-6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding006-2.jpg

[Henk]

LOL :D :D

Now i understand why you showed us only the blade, Freddy.
The hilt is from an european dagger. Better try to replace it for a mandau hilt. Occacionally you find a mandau hilt for sale. This mandau is really worth it.