When is a javanese sword called a golok?

[tunggulametung]

Hello Maurice,

Your's is a golok.

It is often mixed up even in Indonesia, also with term 'parang' and 'klewang/kelewang' too. In general golok featured with a shorter and wider blade than pedang (in contrary pedang is generally longer and slimmer), respectively golok has a widening part near the point (sometime significant, sometime not). I cannot find exact measurement samples, I guess we Indonesian just follow the feeling... Another thing is golok is more a tribute to West Javanese and pedang more to Central and East Javanese. But pedang is (more) a general name for Indonesian to refer sword.

Hope this help, or anyone here have different perspective?


Best,
Chandra

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by tunggulametung

Hello Maurice,

Your's is a golok.

It is often mixed up even in Indonesia, also with term 'parang' too. In general golok featured with a shorter and wider blade than pedang (in contrary pedang is generally longer and slimmer). I cannot find exact measurement samples, I guess we Indonesian just follow the feeling... Another thing is golok is more a tribute to West Javanese and pedang more to Central and East Javanese.

Hope this help, or anyone here have different perspective?


Best,
Chandra

Hi Chandra,

I also named it a golok already.
I didn't know a golok is more a west Java thing, and a pedang a central or east Java thing!

Thanks for your information Chandra.


Maurice