Dagger I.D. Please.

[Norman McCormick]

Henk, Kai,
First of all many thanks to you both for your input on this piece, the following is from hands on observation rather than any prior knowledge of Rencong of which sadly I have none. Kai I think there is no doubt that this is not the epitome of the Rencong makers art, but I do think if a piece was made as a wedding object in some respects it would be better executed that this knife. I don't know about Rencong but Dirks and Swords made for weddings here tend to be elaborately made with much attention to detail rather than the well made but more workmanlike needs of a working knife. This piece has without a doubt been sharpened on many occasions not the kind of thing one does to the one and only wedding knife. Although I have not handled any Rencong I have handled many 17th 18th 19th and 20th Century pieces from many cultures and one tends to get a feel if something is more recently made and I don't get this feeling from this piece. Having said all this the finer points of Rencong I will have to leave to others.
Henk, which language is this and where do I get a translation, after all it might say 'Emergency divorce tool'.
My Regards,
Norman.

[Battara]

I was thinking the inlay was brass....

[Tim Simmons]

I think you are right brass one one side and copper on the other. I wonder if the handle is possibly bone? I have an African Islamised axe with brass inlay on one side and copper on the other. Not wanting to pour cold water but I do not think this is in the gold decoration standard of work.

[Norman McCormick]

Battara, Tim,
The inlay, whatever it is, is the same on both sides, slightly different colour temperature on the photos. I am trying to find a local jeweller who can test it for me, will post result when I can.
My Regards,
Norman.

[kai]

Hello Norman,

I am trying to find a local jeweller who can test it for me

Please do! Also the

BTW, even silver (coin grade alloy) tarnished with acids can looks almsot like gold...

Regards,
Kai

[Henk]

Kai,

I don't have pictures nor the permission to publish from such rencong in Dutch collection where I saw them with my own eyes.

But I found on the forum this rencong without "ears" that belonged to Dayak an is now the property of one of our respected members.
I took the liberty to use the picture from the swap forum.

[Norman McCormick]

Hello Kai,
I see what you mean about the file type marks on the blade, I don't know if it's too clear in the photographs but the edge has been honed with a stone, or something similar, as the facet that makes up the sharp edge is smoother than the rest of the blade. This indication of a different wear pattern led me to the conclusion that the blade had been sharpened a number of times. I hope this makes it clearer as to how I came to my conclusion. If I can be of any further assistance please ask.
My Regards,
Norman.
P.S. Can anybody post an example photo of the 'ears' referred to in previous posts.

[Henk]

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

after all it might say 'Emergency divorce tool'.

Norman, If that's the translation, you also know why it is sharpened so many times
In my opinion the language is the very old indonesian language. I'm afraid we have to look for a translation in that direction, but I doubt we can find someone who is able to read and translate it.

Tim, Battara, if the inlay is brass in your opinion it probably is souassa. Souassa is as you know gold with a very high level of brass or copper.

[Dom]

Originally Posted by Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

after all it might say 'Emergency divorce tool'.

Originally Posted by Henk

Norman, If that's the translation, you also know why it is sharpened so many times
In my opinion the language is the very old indonesian language. I'm afraid we have to look for
a translation in that direction, but I doubt we can find someone who is able to read and translate it.

I found someone but now ... with your stupid ideas
she decided to divorce me ... she found the tools






more seriously

on both side the same common Arabic expression
Allāhu Akbar, الله أكبر.
Usually translated "God is great" or "God is [the] greatest,"

à +

Dom

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Dom,
Many thanks for the translation. Sounds like you've got a feisty woman there, I think I would run if I were you.
My Regards,
Norman.

[Dom]

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

I think I would run if I were you.

too late,
she put an hand on my neck 25 years ago ... and never removed it since

à +

Dom

[kai]

Hello Norman,

I think there is no doubt that this is not the epitome of the Rencong makers art, but I do think if a piece was made as a wedding object in some respects it would be better executed that this knife. I don't know about Rencong but Dirks and Swords made for weddings here tend to be elaborately made with much attention to detail rather than the well made but more workmanlike needs of a working knife.

AFAIK, even those ugly tourist rencong (as well as "keris" of similar "quality") are nowadays worn at weddings. Apparently, they are not important enough anymore to most people of the current generation to invest too much thoughts and money into them...

In the old days, people would have been married wearing the best rencong they could afford. My working hypothesis is that this piece was crafted after the rencong had lost its function as a weapon and the bladesmith's skill level had already degenerated.

This piece has without a doubt been sharpened on many occasions

Most of the scratches I see could also be left from the original shaping of the blade rather than successive sharpening attempts. I'm not sure on this though - any ideas?

Regards,
Kai