karambit ?, korambit ?, lawi ayam ?
 

I have won by epray this little knife which belong clearly to the karambit/korambit family, not antique IMVHO but old or vintage. But I am more as unsure about the origin of this little fellow, the blade look very Indonesian to my eyes but especially the guard let me think about a maybe Philippine origin. Any thoughts from you? The pictures are from the seller.

Hello Detlef,

My best guess is that this piece is modern and coming from Java (possibly the western part) with the blade being aged according to local fashion. The cross guard is not typical but you never know with more current production pieces...

Best wishes,
Kai

Hello Kai,

thank you for comment. Like said, I am as well don't think that it is antique but used. And it has maybe a blade repair and I think that someone has cleaned the blade with acid, I will try to polish the blade a little bit and etch it maybe.

Best regards,
Detlef

So many views and no other comment?? :shrug:

Interesting piece and it looks well made.I think it may be older than it seems to be ;the knife may appear newer because the handle and the other parts have been over-cleaned.

Hello Drac2k,

thank you very much for comment. :) Any guess about it's origin?

Best regards,
Detlef

Have no idea what this knife is or where it comes from but it is a little beauty, quite viscous looking really if you give your imagination free rein. Do you know what they are used for? It looks very small, how long is it? Might it be a female, weapon? Reminds me of a parrots beak :) Thanks for sharing.
Regards
Miguel

Hello Miguel,

here a link which answers hopefully your questions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karambit
There is one picture posted with a scale, the knife is approx. 7 inch (ca. 18 cm) long. And yes, it is mainly a female defense weapon. To the karambit family belong in Indonesia the korambi and lawi ayam (tail feather of the cock) and in the Philippines it's called karambit. The Indonesian knives are without guard normally so my question.
Here some related threads:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=lawi+ayam
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=lawi+ayam
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=korambit

Best regards,
Detlef

I agree,that with the exception of the guard, it looks exactly like a kerambit.It is as stated in these previous posts that it was originally for agriculture, but as in so many cases, across cultures, these items became incorporated into martial arts as this one has in Silat.
For a truly scary example of this knife used in a fighting style, you should watch "The Raid 2."

Will look if I can find somewhere the complete film, have only seen trailers.

Best regards,
Detlef

Hi Detief, Thanks for the info, they are certainly curious weapons, Apologies for missing the ruler :o
Regards
Miguel

Hello Detlef,

Yes, that blob at the base of the blade looks weird - please keep us posted when you receive it!

The blade finish may be intentional/original; I'd try to restain it first before polishing since it will be tough to obtain an even finish.

Regards,
Kai

Hello Detlef,

I don't think there is enough evidence to claim these predominantly were women's weapons (nor vice versa).


The guard is more likely to catch onto something and become a problem rather than a help; I've never seen any antique example with a guard and believe this is a recent "invention" (I'd guess at after WW2, well possibly later).

Regards,
Kai