Klewang Sumatra

Ron Anderson · 9th September 2010, 08:54 AM

Hi

I have one of these from Lombok. I also have several hilts (from chisels) from Lombok.

What I've noticed is there a high predominance of hilts with buffalo horn on Lombok klewangs. I suspect horn hilts are more likely to come from Sumatra.

By and large these klewangs are not that uncommon in Australia, but most of them have wooden hilts, often the dragon head carved style seen above. Whenever I've come across a piece described as a Lombok Island klewang, it's usually a horn hilt. The quality of the silver on the rest of the hilt often seems to be better too.

I have about 20 chisels from Lombok with horn hilts and I just get the impression that they are more prone to use horn and that the quality of the horn carving is pretty damn good.

Ron

Ron Anderson · 9th September 2010, 08:56 AM

Correction: horn hilts are more likely to be Lombok. That's my experience.

Sajen · 9th September 2010, 04:09 PM

This is my example with a very fine pamor blade. I think that it is from Lombok but I am not sure. Sorry for the picture quality, fast taken at a cloudy day.

Sajen · 9th September 2010, 04:34 PM

Here some pics from the blade.

KuKulzA28 · 9th September 2010, 10:50 PM

Wow thats a really nice example!

I'm wondering, how can these very similar styles of klewang be from both Sumatra AND Lombok? What ethnic group are they from? Why are their styles sooo similar? I'm not an expert AT ALL on Indonesian weapons, so I'm somewhat lost...

Ron Anderson · 10th September 2010, 02:31 AM

They are from different island cultures, but there are similarities among all the islands.

The Lombok Islanders are known as Sassak people. Lombok is right next to Bali.

They tend to have quite an evolved artistic style compared to other places in the region. Generally, their artefacts are quite distinct and interesting. But their klewangs looks just like other klewangs. However, as I said, I think they tend be made of better materials, and the workmanship seems to be better.

KuKulzA28 · 25th September 2010, 09:11 AM

Sorry for the belated response! Thank you for that, my knowledge of Indonesian weaponry is limited. I didn't know if every group on every island had their own distinctive blades, or if there were various trends and influences from foreign cultures... and it seems there's just a beautiful mix of both indigenous design and centuries of influences and cross-pollinization of ideas and styles... making it harder and even more interesting to study Indonesian weapons

this style of klewang has really grown on me. The balance and heft is great and the aesthetics are elegant. I feel like a skilled pendekar could slash through a 100 men with one of these...

9th September 2010, 04:09 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,330	This is my example with a very fine pamor blade. I think that it is from Lombok but I am not sure. Sorry for the picture quality, fast taken at a cloudy day. Attached Images

9th September 2010, 04:34 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,330	Here some pics from the blade. Attached Images

9th September 2010, 08:54 AM	#1
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi I have one of these from Lombok. I also have several hilts (from chisels) from Lombok. What I've noticed is there a high predominance of hilts with buffalo horn on Lombok klewangs. I suspect horn hilts are more likely to come from Sumatra. By and large these klewangs are not that uncommon in Australia, but most of them have wooden hilts, often the dragon head carved style seen above. Whenever I've come across a piece described as a Lombok Island klewang, it's usually a horn hilt. The quality of the silver on the rest of the hilt often seems to be better too. I have about 20 chisels from Lombok with horn hilts and I just get the impression that they are more prone to use horn and that the quality of the horn carving is pretty damn good. Ron

9th September 2010, 08:56 AM	#2
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Correction: horn hilts are more likely to be Lombok. That's my experience.

9th September 2010, 10:50 PM	#5
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Wow thats a really nice example! I'm wondering, how can these very similar styles of klewang be from both Sumatra AND Lombok? What ethnic group are they from? Why are their styles sooo similar? I'm not an expert AT ALL on Indonesian weapons, so I'm somewhat lost...

10th September 2010, 02:31 AM	#6
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	They are from different island cultures, but there are similarities among all the islands. The Lombok Islanders are known as Sassak people. Lombok is right next to Bali. They tend to have quite an evolved artistic style compared to other places in the region. Generally, their artefacts are quite distinct and interesting. But their klewangs looks just like other klewangs. However, as I said, I think they tend be made of better materials, and the workmanship seems to be better.

25th September 2010, 09:11 AM	#7
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Sorry for the belated response! Thank you for that, my knowledge of Indonesian weaponry is limited. I didn't know if every group on every island had their own distinctive blades, or if there were various trends and influences from foreign cultures... and it seems there's just a beautiful mix of both indigenous design and centuries of influences and cross-pollinization of ideas and styles... making it harder and even more interesting to study Indonesian weapons this style of klewang has really grown on me. The balance and heft is great and the aesthetics are elegant. I feel like a skilled pendekar could slash through a 100 men with one of these...