[VVV]

Hello Kai,

I have noticed that there is a variation of handles as well as curvature on the blade of the knives within the family of Korambi. I assume that the original version is the one with a ring for the index finger and which originally was a rice-reaping knife. The one with a curved thumb rest I assume was influenced by the Jambiah and was made for fighting more than being an agricultural tool.
Then we have the version that was described to me by a local source as a Kuku Rimau (enclosed as reference). It differs from the others by less curvature of the blade, it's much longer and the handle doesn't reach further than the 2nd or 3d finger (= half fist load). Also it has a double edge. This makes me believe that it's a development from the Korambi, and maybe influenced by the Jambiah as well, and made for fighting only. As its features differs so much from the other variations I have kept the name Kuku Rimau to separate this style from the first two categories within the same family of knives. But a name is just a name and the reason for using them is to communicate with other collectors and researchers, not claiming that "all" locals use/-d that name. Like anthropology separates between the function of ethic and emic terms.

On the age I agree that both of mine are quite recent. Actually I think the korambi, as a fighting knife, as well is quite recent and I haven't seen any with a documented age of earlier than late 19th C. The style of my first one is a bit nostalgic to me as one of my first Sumatran daggers was of this style, but a sewar, and since then I have had several. None of them pre-WWII.

Please try to enclose your reference pictures too when you find time.

Michael

PS If Freddy's dagger would had deep fullers and thicker, single-edged blade, as well as a slightly different handle and sheath, I would have been inclined to call it a Siraui...