Luju Alang versus Sikin Panjang
 

Just bought a small Sikin, or Luju Alang.

Any comments ?
Any small Sikin or Luju Alang for comparison among the forumites ?

The collar on the handle is made of Suasa and brass.

Nobody :shrug:

Hi Willem,

sorry, I don't have a Sikin byself and it is the first time that I see Luju Alang.
It's nice sword and a shame that the sheat is broken.
Maybe you the only one have a piece like this??
sajen

Hello Willem,

Congrats, that's a definitely a sweet one! (Please keep me posted if you ever decide to let it go - I've some of its family members waiting here... ;) :) )

I'm not fully convinced that this is an "alang" rather than a smallish "panjang" though. What's the length with and without hilt? OTOH, with 66cm for a panjang and 61cm for an alang (examples shown in vZ), I'm not sure wether there actually is any clear cutoff in size... Since alang is supposed to denote those pieces which were "too short for warfare" and, thus, mainly for ceremonial use, this may also have been a personal decision rather than being a clearcut classification. :shrug:

I understand that Luju Alang is the Gayo name for this sword type. The ink decoration on your scabbard (and possibly the crown on the hilt, too?) does look more Aceh to me. Thus, calling it Sikin Alang (or Peudeueng Alang) might be more appropriate?

I'd also be very interested in what hilt types come with L/S/P Alang blades: Any examples around? (I've usually seen them with hulu rumpung.)

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,

Checking Van Zonneveld's TWOIA, I also noticed that there are some pretty short Sikins along. But often they still have heavy broad blades.

That is why I pictured it next to another Sikin to give sone idea about the total appearance.

The blade incl hilt is 63,6 cms the blade untill the brass ring is 51 cms.
Width is 3 cms and the blade is 7 mm thick at the base.

Best regards,
Willem