Is this a woman's dagger

[Godfried]

I bought this dagger on Lombok (Indonesia) in 1979. It was offered to me as a woman's dagger. My question is: Has anyone come across this type of dagger before, does it have historical/cultural value or is it just local craftsmanship? The material is bone. probably from a cow.

[A. G. Maisey]

In Central Jawa we would call this a "Stok Komando", ie, a command baton. But this is a pretty elaborate example, normally these a quite plain, similar to a military baton.

In this type of item, the blade is usually an old tombak.

[Godfried]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

In Central Jawa we would call this a "Stok Komando", ie, a command baton. But this is a pretty elaborate example, normally these a quite plain, similar to a military baton.

In this type of item, the blade is usually an old tombak.

OK thanks. I never expected that.

[Ian]

Hello Godfried and Alan,

An interesting item Godfried and thanks for the clarification Alan. I've had a similar tombak for many years and thought it was in just an ordinary, fairly plain, dress for a tombak. Alan, do you think this item is also a Stok Komando?

OAL = 20 in. (~50 cm)
Blade = 7 3/4 in. (~19.5 cm)


Ian.


.

[A. G. Maisey]

That's what we'd call it in Solo, Ian.

Its a pretty recent idea, I believe that it does go any further back than the Sukarno era.

[Ian]

Thanks Alan. Appreciate your opinion. The blade is obviously older than the dress. Sukarno era or later would fit the wooden hilt and scabbard.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

In Central Jawa we would call this a "Stok Komando", ie, a command baton. But this is a pretty elaborate example, normally these a quite plain, similar to a military baton.

In this type of item, the blade is usually an old tombak.

Here is my one in a very similar fashion, 49,5 cm long.