![]()  | 
	
| 
	 | 
| 
			
			 | 
		#1 | 
| 
			
			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Jun 2008 
				Location: The Sharp end 
				
				
					Posts: 2,928
				 
				
				
				
				
				 | 
	
	
	
		
		
			
			 
			
			This is a bit of a mystery to me. Never had one before. 
		
		
		
			The hilt needs some repair and I'm beginning to think I've taken on more projects than I can cope with. The hilt appears to have cracked straight up the middle. Presumably it's glued in place as it seems firm, although the crack is visible and filled with some kind of soft wax. Needs re-doing. Anyway, I know nothing so please feel free to enlighten me. Also, notice the carbon flaws in the laminations of the blade. Thanks Gene Last edited by Atlantia; 12th June 2011 at 07:52 PM.  | 
| 
		 | 
	
	
	
		
		
		
		
			 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
	 | 
| 
			
			 | 
		#2 | 
| 
			
			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Aug 2007 
				Location: Germany, Dortmund 
				
				
					Posts: 9,415
				 
				
				
				
				
				 | 
	
	
	
		
		
			
			 
			
			Hi Gene, 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	interesting piece, seems to have a very short blade. I would be careful with reglue the broken handle since the wood have a nice patina. How thick is the blade? Others with more knowledge will be able to tell you more about this sword. Regards, Detlef  | 
| 
		 | 
	
	
	
		
		
		
		
			 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
	 | 
| 
			
			 | 
		#3 | |
| 
			
			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Jun 2008 
				Location: The Sharp end 
				
				
					Posts: 2,928
				 
				
				
				
				
				 | 
	
	
	
		
		
			
			 Quote: 
	
 Hi Detlef, Here's a picture of the blade spine. Thanks Gene  | 
|
| 
		 | 
	
	
	
		
		
		
		
			 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
	 | 
| 
			
			 | 
		#4 | 
| 
			
			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Feb 2007 
				Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben 
				
				
					Posts: 474
				 
				
				
				
				
				 | 
	
	
	
		
		
			
			 
			
			Hullo everybody, 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	![]() I would call it a Balatoe Sala. Best,  | 
| 
		 | 
	
	
	
		
		
		
		
			 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
	 | 
| 
			
			 | 
		#5 | |
| 
			
			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Aug 2007 
				Location: Germany, Dortmund 
				
				
					Posts: 9,415
				 
				
				
				
				
				 | 
	
	
	
		
		
			
			 Quote: 
	
 please can you explain "sala"? I am not sure if I understand the word correct. Regards, Detlef  | 
|
| 
		 | 
	
	
	
		
		
		
		
			 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
	 | 
| 
			
			 | 
		#6 | |
| 
			
			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Feb 2007 
				Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben 
				
				
					Posts: 474
				 
				
				
				
				
				 | 
	
	
	
		
		
			
			 Quote: 
	
 ![]() I am neither a Nias linguist nor a Nias smith. The actual word 'sala' has many meanings depending on context etc. I don't know how/why 'sala' was bestowed on this blade. All I know is that Balatoe Sala is a utility tool, 'golok' to the Soenda. The other type is Balatoe Tologoe, used for ceremony/war. Tschuss,  | 
|
| 
		 | 
	
	
	
		
		
		
		
			 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
	 | 
![]()  | 
	
	
		
  | 
	
		
  |