Klewang Sumatra

KuKulzA28 · 1st November 2010, 05:23 AM

Hello! I have another question...

Does anyone happen to know Indonesian smiths who make klewangs in this style?

I know of 5 Indonesian knife maker/vendors and they all, for whatever reason, wouldn't be able to do this job... whether because they require a minimum number of pieces for a custom order, or because they specialize in small knives, or because they would charge too much... I'm not too knowledgeable about local smiths in Indonesia and I was wondering if any of you have any idea of Sumatran or Lombok smiths who could make this style of klewang/pedang... or a smith who's good at it...

If it is against forum rules to mention vendors and makers in a post...
Could someone (who knows and is willing to share) PM me regarding information on local smiths?

The balance of this blade, the weight, the handling, the aesthetics - it's just really pleasing to me. I'm used to tip-heavy machete-types that are practical and can definitely mess someone up, but this klewang is just fast and deadly... would be great for slashing through underbrush (which kills the wrist when doing it for a long time with a heavy 'chete) and slicing flesh. I'd definitely like to have one newly made for me... but if no one makes these anymore, perhaps I will sell my antique and "forget about it".

Thanks guys!

KuKulzA28 · 28th May 2011, 11:29 PM

Perhaps it is inappropriate to resurrect an old thread..

But I think I am fallin' in love with these Sumatran/Sassak style blades...

I don't know if it's a good thing...

Gavin Nugent · 29th May 2011, 01:03 AM

Nothing wrong with falling in love with them, it is a good thing and nothing wrong with that. The study material offers a lot when in hand and there is little info to fall back on so exacting research might be considered ground breaking

I have always found them a pleasure to handle and view.

Gav

KuKulzA28 · 29th May 2011, 02:41 AM

Thanks Gav for the reassurance and enabling

Anyone know anything about the pedang, top of the 3? It has this fuller that goes all the way to the false edge. Usually they look like pedang-sabet like the 2nd one (sometimes with fullers), or they're heavier golok or klewang types, or the katana-like ones as seen 3rd down.

I never saw a blade like the one up top so, since it was a good deal, I snatched it up.

Rick · 29th May 2011, 03:59 PM

I never saw a pommel like the one at the bottom of the picture on one of these swords .

I'm guessing it is a found, natural shape that resembles the traditional form .
There could be some talismanic value to having one of these free form hilts .

I believe they are rare and highly prized in the world of keris .

KuKulzA28 · 29th May 2011, 04:39 PM

I too have never seen another one like it, where it is the shape of the typical pommel (Makara?) but without the carvings... so because of that and because it has my favorite Indonesian pedang blade shape (I call "Katana-tip"), I had to get it. Rick, would you mind explaining to me why the uncarved is so special? To me, it would seem like carved takes more work than uncarved, so if uncarved was better, wouldn't you see more of those??

Yea, novice questions

Rick · 29th May 2011, 04:49 PM

I can't explain, I can guess; these 'natural' forms that mimic hilt pommels and keris handles come from the 'natural' world not from the hand of man .

That makes them special .

Gavin Nugent · 29th May 2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I never saw a pommel like the one at the bottom of the picture on one of these swords .

I'm guessing it is a found, natural shape that resembles the traditional form .
There could be some talismanic value to having one of these free form hilts .

I believe they are rare and highly prized in the world of keris .

The hilt To me is a dead ringer for the Makara seen on the Sosun Patta I have, the others look to me in profile to be the cockatoo. I'd suggest the lower one shows more Hindu influence around these Islands. I'd also suggest they are carved this way....

Gav

KuKulzA28 · 1st June 2011, 07:12 PM

Hindu influence? What makes you say that?

I'm not yet very good at differentiating different stylistic differences that could be attributed to Islamic, Hindu, or local beliefs...

1st November 2010, 05:23 AM	#1
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	...yet another question Hello! I have another question... Does anyone happen to know Indonesian smiths who make klewangs in this style? I know of 5 Indonesian knife maker/vendors and they all, for whatever reason, wouldn't be able to do this job... whether because they require a minimum number of pieces for a custom order, or because they specialize in small knives, or because they would charge too much... I'm not too knowledgeable about local smiths in Indonesia and I was wondering if any of you have any idea of Sumatran or Lombok smiths who could make this style of klewang/pedang... or a smith who's good at it... If it is against forum rules to mention vendors and makers in a post... Could someone (who knows and is willing to share) PM me regarding information on local smiths? The balance of this blade, the weight, the handling, the aesthetics - it's just really pleasing to me. I'm used to tip-heavy machete-types that are practical and can definitely mess someone up, but this klewang is just fast and deadly... would be great for slashing through underbrush (which kills the wrist when doing it for a long time with a heavy 'chete) and slicing flesh. I'd definitely like to have one newly made for me... but if no one makes these anymore, perhaps I will sell my antique and "forget about it". Thanks guys!

28th May 2011, 11:29 PM	#2
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Perhaps it is inappropriate to resurrect an old thread.. But I think I am fallin' in love with these Sumatran/Sassak style blades... I don't know if it's a good thing... Attached Images

29th May 2011, 01:03 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Nothing wrong with that!! Nothing wrong with falling in love with them, it is a good thing and nothing wrong with that. The study material offers a lot when in hand and there is little info to fall back on so exacting research might be considered ground breaking I have always found them a pleasure to handle and view. Gav

29th May 2011, 04:49 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Esoterica I can't explain, I can guess; these 'natural' forms that mimic hilt pommels and keris handles come from the 'natural' world not from the hand of man . That makes them special .

29th May 2011, 02:41 AM	#4
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Thanks Gav for the reassurance and enabling Anyone know anything about the pedang, top of the 3? It has this fuller that goes all the way to the false edge. Usually they look like pedang-sabet like the 2nd one (sometimes with fullers), or they're heavier golok or klewang types, or the katana-like ones as seen 3rd down. I never saw a blade like the one up top so, since it was a good deal, I snatched it up.

29th May 2011, 03:59 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I never saw a pommel like the one at the bottom of the picture on one of these swords . I'm guessing it is a found, natural shape that resembles the traditional form . There could be some talismanic value to having one of these free form hilts . I believe they are rare and highly prized in the world of keris .

29th May 2011, 04:39 PM	#6
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	I too have never seen another one like it, where it is the shape of the typical pommel (Makara?) but without the carvings... so because of that and because it has my favorite Indonesian pedang blade shape (I call "Katana-tip"), I had to get it. Rick, would you mind explaining to me why the uncarved is so special? To me, it would seem like carved takes more work than uncarved, so if uncarved was better, wouldn't you see more of those?? Yea, novice questions

1st June 2011, 07:12 PM	#9
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Hindu influence? What makes you say that? I'm not yet very good at differentiating different stylistic differences that could be attributed to Islamic, Hindu, or local beliefs...