Sword from Lombok -- comments please

Rick · 2nd April 2005, 05:28 PM

Born On The Bayou Dave (the Back Bayou) .

Ian , I find the tip of the blade interesting ; done on purpose ?

Ian · 2nd April 2005, 05:37 PM

Definitely done on purpose -- quite symmetrical and ground to that particular shape. Possibly a repair?

Ian

Rick · 2nd April 2005, 05:59 PM

Ian , Nechesh , do you think there's any chance at all that this is a re-shaped keris blade ?

Conogre · 2nd April 2005, 06:15 PM

My guess is that this piece didn't originate on Lombok, but rather just ended up there.
It looks to be an exceptional specimen of a pedang suduk, but they were previouly known for a while as parang lusuk and even as "tempius", I believe in "Stone's".
My "gut feeling " about your particular sword is that it originated in the area of Indonesia that seems almost to be a piece of the Philippines at times, with Moro appearing pieces extremely common.....I'm sure you know where I mean, Ian, but I'm drawing a complete blank at the moment.
While these are currently accepted to be slashing swords, my own suspicion is that in actuality they were quite probably used as official executioner's weapons, in the same manner attributed to the long bladed kerises.
If so, damage to the tip from a body falling sideways faster than was expected could cause tip damage if it wasn't completely extricated in time, and would result in a needed repair similar to yours.
Your piece, more than any other that I've seen seems to lend itself to my personal theory even more than most as it would be eminently suitable and appropriate as a court sword, and likewise the relatively bloodless stab would seem to be favored in a palacial environment.
Mike

capt.smash · 2nd April 2005, 06:51 PM

NO need for battery acid

remember i just used it because i had sanded and sealed the grain-[i can tell this is going to haunt me

]id personaly clean with fruit juice and make a mild staining solution like i did its very rewarding when the pattern gradualy emerges...its not like ull damage the blade u can always clean it again if your not happy

nechesh · 2nd April 2005, 07:42 PM

Oh Smashy, i'll bet you've got a few more pressing skeletons hanging around in your closet to haunt you than battery acid.

Sorry Mike, but i think i disagree with you here on many fronts. IMO this is not the same blade form at all to the example you posted. It does resemble other cundiks i have seen, but i don't know enough about this form to know if this is truly one. I don't think this was ever intended as a slashing weapon either. I think it's origin probably is Lombok or Bali as the blade work looks very much like other weapons from that area. I also don't think this is an executioners weapon. How long is it anyway. The bloodless means of execution you mention Mike requires a fairly long blade.
Rick, i see what you mean by suggesting it may be a reformed keris, especially having a pecetan and all, but my gut feeling is that this is the blade's original form, tip and all.

Rick · 2nd April 2005, 08:42 PM

Mike , I've gotta go with Nechesh on the origin of this blade , Bali or Lombok .

2nd April 2005, 06:15 PM	#4
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	My guess is that this piece didn't originate on Lombok, but rather just ended up there. It looks to be an exceptional specimen of a pedang suduk, but they were previouly known for a while as parang lusuk and even as "tempius", I believe in "Stone's". My "gut feeling " about your particular sword is that it originated in the area of Indonesia that seems almost to be a piece of the Philippines at times, with Moro appearing pieces extremely common.....I'm sure you know where I mean, Ian, but I'm drawing a complete blank at the moment. While these are currently accepted to be slashing swords, my own suspicion is that in actuality they were quite probably used as official executioner's weapons, in the same manner attributed to the long bladed kerises. If so, damage to the tip from a body falling sideways faster than was expected could cause tip damage if it wasn't completely extricated in time, and would result in a needed repair similar to yours. Your piece, more than any other that I've seen seems to lend itself to my personal theory even more than most as it would be eminently suitable and appropriate as a court sword, and likewise the relatively bloodless stab would seem to be favored in a palacial environment. Mike Attached Images

2nd April 2005, 05:28 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Born On The Bayou Dave (the Back Bayou) . Ian , I find the tip of the blade interesting ; done on purpose ?

2nd April 2005, 05:37 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,396	Definitely done on purpose -- quite symmetrical and ground to that particular shape. Possibly a repair? Ian

2nd April 2005, 05:59 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Ian , Nechesh , do you think there's any chance at all that this is a re-shaped keris blade ?

2nd April 2005, 06:51 PM	#5
capt.smash Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Devon ,England Posts: 80	NO need for battery acid remember i just used it because i had sanded and sealed the grain-[i can tell this is going to haunt me ]id personaly clean with fruit juice and make a mild staining solution like i did its very rewarding when the pattern gradualy emerges...its not like ull damage the blade u can always clean it again if your not happy

2nd April 2005, 07:42 PM	#6
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Oh Smashy, i'll bet you've got a few more pressing skeletons hanging around in your closet to haunt you than battery acid. Sorry Mike, but i think i disagree with you here on many fronts. IMO this is not the same blade form at all to the example you posted. It does resemble other cundiks i have seen, but i don't know enough about this form to know if this is truly one. I don't think this was ever intended as a slashing weapon either. I think it's origin probably is Lombok or Bali as the blade work looks very much like other weapons from that area. I also don't think this is an executioners weapon. How long is it anyway. The bloodless means of execution you mention Mike requires a fairly long blade. Rick, i see what you mean by suggesting it may be a reformed keris, especially having a pecetan and all, but my gut feeling is that this is the blade's original form, tip and all.

2nd April 2005, 08:42 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Mike , I've gotta go with Nechesh on the origin of this blade , Bali or Lombok .