Indonesian European style 'Falchion' for discussion

[David]

Originally Posted by gp

these are originals: made for the Dutch military police and also used in Indonesia when it was part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Some were shortened by the Japanese during WW2

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=klewang

I have always been a bit confused why the Dutch chose to call these swords "Klewang". Obviously the word is original to the Indonesian weapons which really are a very different blade form, though i suppose the Dutch versions saw a lot of the same function as a jungle clearing tool/weapon. But these two types of klewang are shaped differently and weighed differently and i would image required somewhat different techniques to properly wield.

[gp]

Originally Posted by David

I have always been a bit confused why the Dutch chose to call these swords "Klewang". Obviously the word is original to the Indonesian weapons which really are a very different blade form, though i suppose the Dutch versions saw a lot of the same function as a jungle clearing tool/weapon. But these two types of klewang are shaped differently and weighed differently and i would image required somewhat different techniques to properly wield.

Here is a partial explanation: they took it from Indonesia, moreover Atjeh / Aceh.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klewang

In Dutch it became part of our language as we have an expression
“chase someone over the Klewang” …
Guess the meaning is quite obvious, as it is a quite rude way as well to express a deadly battle encounter / situation.
Became very fast integrated into the Dutch language: I recall my late father using it easily when describing the WWII encounters with the Japanese in the very few occasions he spoke about that time….
So it is very understandable the likes of Hembrug produced these klewangs

[werecow]

Originally Posted by gp

Here is a partial explanation: they took it from Indonesia, moreover Atjeh / Aceh.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klewang

In Dutch it became part of our language as we have an expression
“chase someone over the Klewang” …

Are you sure you don't mean the kling (blade)? I've heard "over de kling jagen" but never "over de klewang".

[gp]

Originally Posted by werecow

Are you sure you don't mean the kling (blade)? I've heard "over de kling jagen" but never "over de klewang".

Correct “ over de kling jagen” or even “ over de kling springen” is the correct proverb, must be my father used it in a wide way of speaking to ventilate his feelings of the jungle encounters.