Silver Badik with unusual triangular blade

[CharlesS]

I would certainly have thought this was a European bayonet blade that had been cut down, but if that's a pamor pattern I am seeing in the pics, that throws out my theory.

Great, interesting, piece under any circumstances.

[Spunjer]

huh... i got a similar one. now this has my interest piqued. kinda like tres kantos from the Philippines. there was a label on mine that says "Senjata Tusuk, Sulawesi". if i'm not mistaken, that could be roughly translated as "stabbing weapon", which makes me wonder whoever wrote it probably made it up. but then again, you never know...
the blade is definitely laminated, Indo style. handle is made out of carabao horn. scabbard has rattan wraps, with the toe made out of bone or ivory, i'm not quite sure.
measurements is as follows:
length of blade = 9" (23cm)
total length in scabbard = 13.5" (35cm)
thanks for posting this, Roland!

[Roland_M]

Thank you very much Spunier for showing me your Badik with triangular blade.

I think, it is worth the effort to polish your blade and maybe etching it. The difference might be huge. Some people refuse to touch old blades but i think as japanese. A good blade must have a good polish.

But it is quite difficult to polish a triangular blade without destroying its shape. If you are unexperienced, it would not be the best blade to start with.

If you want, i can do the polishing job for you for nothing more than the shipping costs and maybe the sandpaper and Steel wool. I really like it and i still learning much about steel during the job.

Best wishes Roland

[Sajen]

Hello Roland,

never seen a badik like this, very unusual. I have a badik from Salayar island but with a starlike cross section, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=badik
The scabbard/fittings again very similar to one from my collection which I think is from Sulawasi. When you want I can post pictures from it.
Nice and unusual catch, congrats.

Regards,
Detlef

[Roland_M]

Hello Detlef,

Tank you for your warm words. I already know your blade, it was a reason to buy my one.
Here are some pictures of the sheath.
The Badik received sometimes a strong hit on the back of the hilt. I hope, it can be restored. I am looking for a specialst for this Job.

Best wishes Roland

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

there was a label on mine that says "Senjata Tusuk, Sulawesi". if i'm not mistaken, that could be roughly translated as "stabbing weapon", which makes me wonder whoever wrote it probably made it up. but then again, you never know...

Hello Ron,

yours is also a very nice and unusual example. "Tusuk" mean needle/spit so your translation is correct. I still would call it badik.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Here some fast taken pictures from my badik with similar fittings like Rolands example but with a "usual" blade shape.

[Spunjer]

thank you for the translation, Detlef! in tagalog, "tusuk" means to poke, or stab. somewhat similar. a question tho; is the round base a particular trait in Sulawesi? I notice on some of the kerises, it has this particular piece. kinda like a stand...

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

thank you for the translation, Detlef! in tagalog, "tusuk" means to poke, or stab. somewhat similar. a question tho; is the round base a particular trait in Sulawesi? I notice on some of the kerises, it has this particular piece. kinda like a stand...

Yes Ron, tagalog and bahasa Indonesia are both Malay languages and this is not the only analogy, senjata you will understand for sure.
The round base (buntut) is not only found by scabbards from Sulawesi but also in other parts of Indonesia but again mainly Bugis influenced parts. Malay keris scabbards can have this also.

Regards,
Detlef

[Jens Nordlunde]

Roland,
Try to make a search for 'magnetism' - maybe this will help you.
Jens

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

I would certainly have thought this was a European bayonet blade that had been cut down, but if that's a pamor pattern I am seeing in the pics, that throws out my theory.

Great, interesting, piece under any circumstances.

European socket bayonet blade was a theory of one colleague of mine, during i was waiting for the blade. The shock was so big, my heart stops to pound for almost one Minute but at least for a few seconds.