Bendo

[A. G. Maisey]

Paolo, I'm not at all certain that the name for this implement that you have posted pics of is "bendo".

In Javanese the correct spelling of "bendo" is "bendho"---the "o" is slightly aspirated. Bendho is a Javanese word and I do not know if it is found in Sundanese.

The implement you have shown pics of appears to be from Sunda, probably Bandung production.

I know that van Zonneveldt shows it as a "bendo", but he draws upon another source, so we cannot hold him responsible for the name.

It may be that in Sunda this implement is known as a "bendo", but if it is, it must not be confused with the bendho of Central Jawa.

The bendho that we use in Central Jawa is a completely different shape to the shape of the implement that you show.As ferrylaki advises, in Central Jawa these days it is used as a tool, however, in earlier times it was used as a weapon.

As I state above, the Javanese name for a particular type of cutting implement is "bendho". The word "bendo" does not exist in Javanese, however, in Indonesian, which is based upon a dialect of Malay, the word "benda" does exist, which means "thing". In colloquial Javanese speech this word "benda" would be pronounced "bendo" by many, if not most speakers, when they were using Indonesian.

Ferrylaki, I note that you live in Solo. If you would like to see some examples of old bendho, may I suggest you visit Musium Radyapustaka on Jalan Slamet Riyadi, near Sri Wedari.

[ferrylaki]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Paolo, I'm not at all certain that the name for this implement that you have posted pics of is "bendo".

In Javanese the correct spelling of "bendo" is "bendho"---the "o" is slightly aspirated. Bendho is a Javanese word and I do not know if it is found in Sundanese.

The implement you have shown pics of appears to be from Sunda, probably Bandung production.

I know that van Zonneveldt shows it as a "bendo", but he draws upon another source, so we cannot hold him responsible for the name.

It may be that in Sunda this implement is known as a "bendo", but if it is, it must not be confused with the bendho of Central Jawa.

The bendho that we use in Central Jawa is a completely different shape to the shape of the implement that you show.As ferrylaki advises, in Central Jawa these days it is used as a tool, however, in earlier times it was used as a weapon.

As I state above, the Javanese name for a particular type of cutting implement is "bendho". The word "bendo" does not exist in Javanese, however, in Indonesian, which is based upon a dialect of Malay, the word "benda" does exist, which means "thing". In colloquial Javanese speech this word "benda" would be pronounced "bendo" by many, if not most speakers, when they were using Indonesian.

Ferrylaki, I note that you live in Solo. If you would like to see some examples of old bendho, may I suggest you visit Musium Radyapustaka on Jalan Slamet Riyadi, near Sri Wedari.

I'm going to visit the museum next week. during muharam there will be a ceremonial in solo. peoplegonna show pusaka from the old keraton collection. I'll try to get some pictures from old 'bendho' in the museum. may be I'll add more pictures about old javanese weapon also.
thax again....

[paolo]

I'm really intrigued to see the pics of Bendho and of the old Jawanese weapon.
Regards
Paolo

[Henk]

Ferrylaki,

Are those klewangs marked?

[ferrylaki]

Originally Posted by Henk

Ferrylaki,

Are those klewangs marked?

hi Henk...
there are three tipe of mark : MILSCO, HAMBRUG, VINCE .
These mark written between the hand guard and the blade in italic letters.
I dont have the picture for this mark...the one I have doesnt have any mark.
I believe it was macine made...the mark and the blade.

[Henk]

Originally Posted by ferrylaki

hi Henk...
there are three tipe of mark : MILSCO, HAMBRUG, VINCE .
These mark written between the hand guard and the blade in italic letters.
I dont have the picture for this mark...the one I have doesnt have any mark.
I believe it was macine made...the mark and the blade.

Hi Ferrylaki,

MILSCO is the mark of the american klewangs "adopted" by the Dutch. MILSCO means Military Supply Company, a US supplier of the M1941 cutlass. (Thanks to Ian) Those klewangs where left behind by the US army after WWII.

HEMBRUG is 100% Dutch and made in Holland in the Hembrug factories.

VINCE I've never seen. Maybe someone can tell us more about this mark?

The unmarked one could be a dutch fabricate, but I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be an american product.

[Pangeran Datu]

Originally Posted by Henk

Hi Ferrylaki,

MILSCO is the mark of the american klewangs "adopted" by the Dutch. MILSCO means Military Supply Company, a US supplier of the M1941 cutlass. (Thanks to Ian) Those klewangs where left behind by the US army after WWII.

HEMBRUG is 100% Dutch and made in Holland in the Hembrug factories.

VINCE I've never seen. Maybe someone can tell us more about this mark?

The unmarked one could be a dutch fabricate, but I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be an american product.

G'day all,
My two bobs' worth:

Klewangs were produced in the US for the Netherlands during WWII. Model M1941 ( a variation on the Dutch model M1911, issued to KNIL).
Much of the klewangs were not yet produced/shipped when the Dutch lost the East Indies and were consequently purchased by the US military for secondary use. Companies which had managed to produce/ship/sell them had them lying unclaimed in warehouses and at the docks. The klewangs were manufactured in the US by MILSCO and VINCE Fencing Co. (not to be confused with VINCE Forge). They continued to manufacture for the Dutch until 1960, when it was made obsolete.

BTW ... re: BENDO mark 'UKI'

It may be that it is not an acronym at all. It is a common Sunda male name (perhaps even common throughout Indo). It may be as well-known as the trade-mark 'UDIN' on the underside of horse-feed tubs at the back of horse-drawn carts in Bandung,

Cheers.

[ferrylaki]

Originally Posted by Henk

Hi Ferrylaki,

MILSCO is the mark of the american klewangs "adopted" by the Dutch. MILSCO means Military Supply Company, a US supplier of the M1941 cutlass. (Thanks to Ian) Those klewangs where left behind by the US army after WWII.

HEMBRUG is 100% Dutch and made in Holland in the Hembrug factories.

VINCE I've never seen. Maybe someone can tell us more about this mark?

The unmarked one could be a dutch fabricate, but I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be an american product.

hi Henk...
thanks a lot for your information. I just call my friend who own a large number of those klewang. I'll try to get a better picture with those three mark/manufacturer. this klewang are too thin and seem hard to be sharpened...but they are not easily rust...the blade it self seem to be clean and smooth...no rust but dull. is it normal for a military use klewang...I notice that some of it manufactured in US for the dutch. there might be several differences between those klewang...any body can help me what differences are they???

[ferrylaki]

Originally Posted by Henk

Hi Ferrylaki,

MILSCO is the mark of the american klewangs "adopted" by the Dutch. MILSCO means Military Supply Company, a US supplier of the M1941 cutlass. (Thanks to Ian) Those klewangs where left behind by the US army after WWII.

HEMBRUG is 100% Dutch and made in Holland in the Hembrug factories.

VINCE I've never seen. Maybe someone can tell us more about this mark?

The unmarked one could be a dutch fabricate, but I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be an american product.

hi Henk...
thanks a lot for your information. I just call my friend who own a large number of those klewang. I'll try to get a better picture with those three mark/manufacturer. this klewang are too thin and seem hard to be sharpened...but they are not easily rust...the blade it self seem to be clean and smooth...no rust but dull. is it normal for a military use klewang...I notice that some of it manufactured in US for the dutch. there might be several differences between those klewang...any body can help me what differences are they???

[ferrylaki]

Originally Posted by Henk

Hi Ferrylaki,

MILSCO is the mark of the american klewangs "adopted" by the Dutch. MILSCO means Military Supply Company, a US supplier of the M1941 cutlass. (Thanks to Ian) Those klewangs where left behind by the US army after WWII.

HEMBRUG is 100% Dutch and made in Holland in the Hembrug factories.

VINCE I've never seen. Maybe someone can tell us more about this mark?

The unmarked one could be a dutch fabricate, but I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be an american product.

here comes some pics....

[ferrylaki]

Originally Posted by paolo

I'm really intrigued to see the pics of Bendho and of the old Jawanese weapon.
Regards
Paolo

I will try to get some picture about old bendo and other weapon from the museum....this jan 20th there will be a ceremonial in Surakarta palace...
washing the 'pusaka'... I already made some appointment to buy old weapon... some dealer even offer my japanese katana...I hope it a genuine katana.

[Pangeran Datu]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

....... Bendho is a Javanese word and I do not know if it is found in Sundanese.

The implement you have shown pics of appears to be from Sunda, probably Bandung production.

I know that van Zonneveldt shows it as a "bendo", but he draws upon another source, so we cannot hold him responsible for the name.

It may be that in Sunda this implement is known as a "bendo", but if it is, it must not be confused with the bendho of Central Jawa.

G'day all,

Just passing and thought I'd buy into this.

The Sundanese, particularly from Parahyangan (most of West Java), would generally refer to the implement being discussed, as a 'bedog' which may be interchanged with the Malay/Indonesian word 'golok'. Bedog can be found in many shapes and sizes, depending on application/usage, from a stubby wide-bladed one (akin to a berang) to a long slender one (akin to a pedang and most commonly used implement in penca-silat). Traditionally, it was the chosen everyday implement of the common folk and would be as common in households as a knife. Being such a common everyday item, it was usually constructed of soft metal, with the handle and scabbard being of soft wood, such as 'albasia'. So, no Empu needed here Of course, like everything else, you always get fancier versions.

The word 'bendo' does exist in Basa (language) Sunda and refers to the stylised ikat/headgear, akin to the Javanese 'blangkon'.

Cheers.

[paolo]

Hi all,
Very interesting all You said. Bendo, Bendho, Bedong, different words, different shapes from Sunda to West Java. : confused: Now I really need pics about what you really mean.
Regards
Paolo

[kronckew]

hi. i have one of the dutch klewangs i bought at an arms show here in the UK, scabbard is oiled dark brown leather with a brass tip, steel reenforcement at the throat, blade is dark steel, very sharp, light pitting in some places, guard steel, black rust patina, grips wood scales, 3 brass cutlers rivets, large pommel screw at end. blade is marked PD over a LUNESCHLOSS over SOLINGEN just ahead of the guard and the opposite side has a very small figure i can not make out. blade is 4mm x 35 mm. at the guard with a distal taper down to about 2.5mm just before the false edge starts

[Henk]

Originally Posted by kronckew

hi. i have one of the dutch klewangs i bought at an arms show here in the UK, scabbard is oiled dark brown leather with a brass tip, steel reenforcement at the throat, blade is dark steel, very sharp, light pitting in some places, guard steel, black rust patina, grips wood scales, 3 brass cutlers rivets, large pommel screw at end. blade is marked PD over a LUNESCHLOSS over SOLINGEN just ahead of the guard and the opposite side has a very small figure i can not make out. blade is 4mm x 35 mm. at the guard with a distal taper down to about 2.5mm just before the false edge starts

This is a German sabre. Solingen is German and not Dutch.
The sabre looks like a klewang used by the dutch army, but this guard divers from the klewang guard. As far as I know, the Dutch didn't used german weapons. So I doubt if you can call this a dutch klewang. But I do like it.

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Henk

This is a German sabre. Solingen is German and not Dutch.
The sabre looks like a klewang used by the dutch army, but this guard divers from the klewang guard. As far as I know, the Dutch didn't used german weapons. So I doubt if you can call this a dutch klewang. But I do like it.

interesting, i cannot see much difference between mine and the other one illustrated other than the blade marking. if you could point out the differences i would be appreciative. the scabbard, fittings, belt loop, scabbard throat and chape all look the same - even to the staples holding the brass chape to the scabbard and the two parallel lines down the leather part of the scabbard, also the blade shape and the fuller on the blade. blade length 24.5 in. (625mm) grip length ~ 4.75 in. (125mm) x 1.25 in. (30mm) wide x 1 in.(25.4mm) thick...

i am of course aware that solingen is in germany, they made blades for a number of other countries as well.

more pics