Unusual grip solution on a klewang

[mohd]

Originally Posted by VVV

Here is a probably Sumatran (Jambi?) klewang with, for me at least, a unique feature - a trigger-resembling resting place for the index finger.
It feels very comfortable when using it.
Are there any similar solutions in swords from other regions?
I can't recall that I have seen it in any other swords from the Malay archipelago.

Michael

Beautiful Klewang, Michael!
The blade has a nice flow!
Anyhow IMVHO the unique feature is not meant for index finger resting place but just a uniquely shaped single guard.
We Malays generally have small hand which also means small grip.
So placing index finger at the front of the rather large guard is uncomfortable and in fact it might inflict pain and a sure cause for blisters in between of the index finger and the middle finger.
Malay fighter (i.e. Pendekar) or warrior (i.e. Panglima) or farmer (i.e. Petani) just never use glove

mohd

[VVV]

Thanks for the added input.
PepperSkull, I have not tried a sub-hilt bowie, mostly I am playing around with Indonesian and Filipino blades and I find it hard to simulate it, not having anyone around.
Usually I place the finger along the blade when in the hammer grip position for better thrust aiming/blade alignment and close it if expected heavy resistance on impact, like when thrusting tree trunks for grip practice. But for really heavy knives maybe the sub-hilt solution is better?
Mohd, actually I am about the same size as Alam Shah (on the forum) but my hands are maybe slightly larger. If I hold it behind the protrusion it only fits close to 2,5 of my fingers! When I have the index finger on the protrusion it's only the little finger that is resting on the pommel.
I never use a glove for training except when full contact sparring. This is not a golf forum.

Michael

[VVV]

Originally Posted by VVV

Thanks for the added input.
PepperSkull, I have not tried a sub-hilt bowie, mostly I am playing around with Indonesian and Filipino blades and I find it hard to simulate it, not having anyone around.
Usually I place the finger along the blade when in the hammer grip position for better thrust aiming/blade alignment and close it if expected heavy resistance on impact, like when thrusting tree trunks for grip practice. But for really heavy knives maybe the sub-hilt solution is better?
Mohd, actually I am about the same size as Alam Shah (on the forum) but my hands are maybe slightly larger. If I hold it behind the protrusion it only fits close to 2,5 of my fingers! When I have the index finger on the protrusion it's only the little finger that is resting on the pommel.
I never use a glove for training except when full contact sparring. This is not a golf forum.

Michael

PS One of my Silat practice friends is quite small, smaller than most of his Indonesian and Malaysian instructors actually, and I will check if he can use it behind the "thing". Unfortunately he lives in Norway and will first be over here in September so it will take a while but I will let you know.

[mohd]

Thanks for the explanation Michael
Actually I'm not an MA practitioner thuogh
I just give my two cents base on my experience handling that sort of blade in agricultural usage
It just looks like a minor disturbance to freely manoeuver my handgrip to the handle!
Anyhow, it's just the one in my mental vision and it's not the actual practical experience while holding the handle of the klewang in person

mohd

[VVV]

Thanks Mohd,

I agree that for farming this innovation probably isn't a good idea.
It's a pity we can't all meet live instead so we can try out and handle the weapons we discuss...

Michael