Dagger for Identification

[Montino Bourbon]

It's a Badek, probably from Sumatra. Classic shape.

[Battara]

However I have never seen one with a fullered blade like this. Otherwise, I agree with Martino.

[Jerseyman]

Thanks. I'd never seen one with such an extreme handle, nor with a fullered blade, so hadn't thought of that classification.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes, it has some characteristics of a badik, & I guess we need to call it a badik, but I've never seen even a photo of a badik that looks like this.

[kai]

Hello Alan,

I've never seen even a photo of a badik that looks like this.

See the example in Albert's book: p. 27, fig. 24 is quite typical.

I have 2 of these coming in - let me try to add pics later.

Regards,
Kai

[Helleri]

That looks like it's been shoddily repaired. If it were something I had in my possession, I'd be tempted to carefully pry that cracked bit off. Remove the blade and wadding. Pour in some hot rosin and reset that tang. Then a little bone glue and watch band pins for the chipped piece of horn. Finish off that handle with a little light sanding and a few coats of lanolin...Looks like a fun project piece really.

[kai]

Thanks. I'd never seen one with such an extreme handle, nor with a fullered blade, so hadn't thought of that classification.

Yes, it definitely is a badik from Sulawesi: This blade shape with a pronounced belly as well as the steeply angled/curving hilt suggest that it originates from the region of Lompobattang.

Most badik are meant for punching and come with slender, agile blades. Some of those blades with more pronounced belly have more heft to them and can feel more like a small meat cleaver. Adding a fuller makes sense if the balance needs to be improved.

Pretty much all antique badik from Sulawesi sport laminated or even pattern-welded blades (i.e. with pamor). It would be worth checking this example even if it most likely is monosteel.

From the craftsmanship and attaching the tang with paper/textile, I'd guess this piece hails from the first half of the 20th century, possibly around WW2.

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Yes, it definitely is a badik from Sulawesi: This blade shape with a pronounced belly as well as the steeply angled/curving hilt suggest that it originates from the region of Lompobattang.

Kai is correct, a badik from Lompobattang, another example is shown by "Senjata Pusaka Bugis" on p. 351-352.

[Sajen]

Here are my two examples, got them recently, still need to etch them, both are laminated. Blades with fullers seems not uncommon, see my small example.

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

Here are my two examples, got them recently, still need to etch them, both are laminated. Blades with fullers seems not uncommon, see my small example.

Yes, narrow (and shallow) fullers are seen. Multiple, too.

It's this wide fuller which is a bit more unusual IMHO...

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

From the craftsmanship and attaching the tang with paper/textile, I'd guess this piece hails from the first half of the 20th century, possibly around WW2.

Hello Kai,

I am with Helleri here, the attachment of the hilt with paper or textile will be a repair.

Regards,
Detlef

[A. G. Maisey]

Kai & Detlef, gentlemen, the examples shown by Detlef do indeed have an overall appearance similar to the dagger that is the subject of this thread, however, perhaps you & I look at very different things:- to me this dagger of Jerseyman is very, very different to the examples you have shown.

The examples shown are well known and relatively common:- I have had a number of them over the years, and I think I still might have some, but to my eye, they vary strongly from JM's dagger.

In fact, I have seen custom made knives produced by makers in USA & Australia that resemble JM's dagger more closely than does the typical Sulawesi badik with the Beer Belly.

[kai]

G'day Alan,

Perhaps you could be a bit more specific which differences you feel have the strongest impact in your opinion?

Except for the wide fuller already discussed, the other unusual feature would be the choil.

OTOH, the other blades seem to be antique and I posit that this blade might well be younger.

Anyway, the fittings clearly support a Lompobattang origin... Any alternative suggestions?

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

I am with Helleri here, the attachment of the hilt with paper or textile will be a repair.

Not necessarily a repair; it could also point to an assembly at a period when these were not meant to be functional weapons anymore.

I was just mentioning it as a supporting indicator for a possible later date. (It certainly doesn't exclude a later period than suggested by me.)

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Not necessarily a repair; it could also point to an assembly at a period when these were not meant to be functional weapons anymore.

Hello Kai,
They are still made as functional weapons I guess, I've seen 2006 a Bugis wearing a badik, near Makassar. And I own a fairly recent example, well made but clearly used.

Regards,
Detlef