Knife from Madura

Freddy · 23rd February 2009, 05:23 PM

This weekend I went to a historical weapons fair in Hoboken, near Antwerp. This is held once a year in February.

Besides a Yogyakarta keris, I found this knife. I was a bit intrigued and, as it wasn't very expensive, I just bought it.
I know it has a keris hilt, probably of originating in Madura or East-Java. It's made out of bone and looks quite old.
The blade is a bit of a puzzle to me. I think it is a 'reworked' keris blade.

Anyone else has an opinion ?

Total length is : 25,5 cm.

Henk · 23rd February 2009, 11:40 PM

You gave the answer yourself.

Rick · 24th February 2009, 04:33 PM

Agree, a 'revision' keris .

Freddy · 24th February 2009, 05:45 PM

Yes, but why 'cut' the blade in this way ? In my opinion, someone wanted to shape the blade in an European fashion.

Henk · 24th February 2009, 07:09 PM

I always wondered what is going on in the minds of those who abuse a good blade...................

Freddy · 24th February 2009, 08:35 PM

Here are the first pics. What do you think, Henk ?

Henk · 25th February 2009, 01:39 PM

No Freddy, no abuse.

you don't show the whole piece but this is the blade of a mandau. The engraving is not unusual and certainly not an abuse. My first impression on this little bit blurry picture is a very fine mandau.
But the more knowledgeable members on the mandau can tell you more. I suggest you show us the whole mandau.

Freddy · 25th February 2009, 04:13 PM

Here are the rest of the pictures. I guess someone really used this mandau. Perhaps the bone or wooden handle was once lost and replaced by this one. The handle is made out of leather, that is a number of leather rings glued (?) to each other. Just a functional piece... with a mandau blade.

The blade is thick, measuring 8 mm near the handle...and very sharp.

Henk · 25th February 2009, 07:18 PM

LOL

Now i understand why you showed us only the blade, Freddy.
The hilt is from an european dagger. Better try to replace it for a mandau hilt. Occacionally you find a mandau hilt for sale. This mandau is really worth it.

23rd February 2009, 05:23 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Knife from Madura This weekend I went to a historical weapons fair in Hoboken, near Antwerp. This is held once a year in February. Besides a Yogyakarta keris, I found this knife. I was a bit intrigued and, as it wasn't very expensive, I just bought it. I know it has a keris hilt, probably of originating in Madura or East-Java. It's made out of bone and looks quite old. The blade is a bit of a puzzle to me. I think it is a 'reworked' keris blade. Anyone else has an opinion ? Total length is : 25,5 cm.

24th February 2009, 08:35 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Is this abuse, too ? Here are the first pics. What do you think, Henk ? Last edited by Freddy; 24th February 2009 at 08:51 PM.

23rd February 2009, 11:40 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	You gave the answer yourself.

24th February 2009, 04:33 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Agree, a 'revision' keris .

24th February 2009, 05:45 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Yes, but why 'cut' the blade in this way ? In my opinion, someone wanted to shape the blade in an European fashion.

24th February 2009, 07:09 PM	#5
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	I always wondered what is going on in the minds of those who abuse a good blade...................

25th February 2009, 01:39 PM	#7
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	No Freddy, no abuse. you don't show the whole piece but this is the blade of a mandau. The engraving is not unusual and certainly not an abuse. My first impression on this little bit blurry picture is a very fine mandau. But the more knowledgeable members on the mandau can tell you more. I suggest you show us the whole mandau.

25th February 2009, 04:13 PM	#8
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here are the rest of the pictures. I guess someone really used this mandau. Perhaps the bone or wooden handle was once lost and replaced by this one. The handle is made out of leather, that is a number of leather rings glued (?) to each other. Just a functional piece... with a mandau blade. The blade is thick, measuring 8 mm near the handle...and very sharp.

25th February 2009, 07:18 PM	#9
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	LOL Now i understand why you showed us only the blade, Freddy. The hilt is from an european dagger. Better try to replace it for a mandau hilt. Occacionally you find a mandau hilt for sale. This mandau is really worth it.