Small Indonesian ? knife

colin henshaw · 16th January 2011, 12:52 PM

Hi

I bought this small knife as I was impressed by the quality of manufacture, although South East Asia is not really my area. I believe these to be called bade bade from Indonesia ? (or Malayasia).

Could someone kindly help with identification, age, origin etc. Also were they for use as a weapon or mainly as an article of dress ? Length in sheath approx. 30cm.

Thanks in advance.

Sajen · 16th January 2011, 01:06 PM

The shape of the blade is like a badik but neither the handle nor the sheath look like the badiks I know. Maybe a badik from a other island than Sulawesi or Java? Is the ferrule from silver or suassa?

Regards,

Detlef

colin henshaw · 16th January 2011, 01:24 PM

Thanks Detlef,

The ferrule centre section seems to be made of copper, with silver at each end. Regret I am not familiar with suassa and what it looks like...

Regards.

David · 16th January 2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Thanks Detlef,

The ferrule centre section seems to be made of copper, with silver at each end. Regret I am not familiar with suassa and what it looks like...

Regards.

Colin, suassa can look a bit like copper as it is a low carat gold with a lot of copper in it. So it is a bit coppery, but less likely to tarnish.
Looks like a nice knife to me. Sorry i can't tell you more.

erikscollectables · 16th January 2011, 02:26 PM

It seems to be a Batak item - a bit like a kalasan.

Regards, Erik

Battara · 16th January 2011, 05:50 PM

By the color of the metal, I would say copper and not suassa. Suassa does not patina like that.

KuKulzA28 · 17th January 2011, 06:21 AM

I heard these were called rawit... small utility/fighting knives...

asomotif · 17th January 2011, 06:53 AM

Yes, this is Batak / a rawit.

Considering the materials they use, I would suspect Suasa.
But daylight pictures might help.

Nice piece. congrats !

Best regards,
Willem

colin henshaw · 18th January 2011, 11:13 AM

Many thanks to those who have contributed on this item. Here are a couple of better images of the hilt.

Is it possible to assign an approximate date to the knife ? Presumably the knife would have been worn in a waistband or sash of some sort ?

Regards.

erikscollectables · 18th January 2011, 06:24 PM

My guess would be between 1880 and 1920....

16th January 2011, 12:52 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Small Indonesian ? knife Hi I bought this small knife as I was impressed by the quality of manufacture, although South East Asia is not really my area. I believe these to be called bade bade from Indonesia ? (or Malayasia). Could someone kindly help with identification, age, origin etc. Also were they for use as a weapon or mainly as an article of dress ? Length in sheath approx. 30cm. Thanks in advance. Attached Images

16th January 2011, 02:26 PM	#5
erikscollectables Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 318	Kalasan It seems to be a Batak item - a bit like a kalasan. Regards, Erik

18th January 2011, 11:13 AM	#9
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Many thanks to those who have contributed on this item. Here are a couple of better images of the hilt. Is it possible to assign an approximate date to the knife ? Presumably the knife would have been worn in a waistband or sash of some sort ? Regards. Attached Images

16th January 2011, 01:06 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,483	The shape of the blade is like a badik but neither the handle nor the sheath look like the badiks I know. Maybe a badik from a other island than Sulawesi or Java? Is the ferrule from silver or suassa? Regards, Detlef

16th January 2011, 01:24 PM	#3
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Thanks Detlef, The ferrule centre section seems to be made of copper, with silver at each end. Regret I am not familiar with suassa and what it looks like... Regards.

16th January 2011, 05:50 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	By the color of the metal, I would say copper and not suassa. Suassa does not patina like that.

17th January 2011, 06:21 AM	#7
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	I heard these were called rawit... small utility/fighting knives...

17th January 2011, 06:53 AM	#8
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Yes, this is Batak / a rawit. Considering the materials they use, I would suspect Suasa. But daylight pictures might help. Nice piece. congrats ! Best regards, Willem

18th January 2011, 06:24 PM	#10
erikscollectables Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 318	My guess would be between 1880 and 1920....