Any thoughts about this one ?

Tim Simmons · 28th July 2005, 07:46 PM

I have a striaght bladed tombak which is very functional, I can see the fancy metalwork that etching might bring out but I am concerned not to loose the patina that has developed. That blade looks quite grey and grainy already. It must have some importance for someone to go to all the trouble of making such a nice hand sewn scabbard. Tim+Sam

Henk · 28th July 2005, 08:50 PM

Freddy,

It is a tombak. The scabbard is the scabbard for a spear. I think you should remove the leather and I think a tombak scabbard will appear. of course I'm not 100% certain because i cann't look and feel through a picture. But the leather is not original and maybe some european owner before you had nothing to do on a rainy evening. The grip isn't an original either. I think the tombak came with the scabbard but without a the shaft. If the scabbard is a tombak scabbard it was mounted as a spear. The shaft could be a long one or a short one.

Tim Simmons · 28th July 2005, 08:56 PM

Hello Henk,
That chap is rather good with a needle on rainy nights

Alam Shah · 29th July 2005, 04:09 AM

It is a tombak. Henk's pictures does illustrate the features of the scabbard and shaft. The red circle is a feature of a tombak. Normally, the tang (pesi) is longer than a keris blade. I've seen pieces with the tang almost half of the blade length.

Henk · 29th July 2005, 09:23 AM

Alam Shah is right about the tang. I have two tombaks that have a peksi as long as the half of the blade length. If it is possible for you to let it perform, it needs a good wash. I bet you will get a beatiful pamor out of it.

Hello Tim, are you the guy on the rainy nights???

. It is done properly I completely agree with you. But it is not original on a tombak scabbard.

Freddy you should remove the leather. As far as I can see on the picture the mouth of the scabbard has the carving of a tombak scabbard.

Freddy · 29th July 2005, 12:37 PM

Thanks for your comments.

I'm a bit reluctant to remove the leather from the sheath. First, because it looks good. Secondly, I fear that if it's a plain wooden sheath underneath, I would have ruined the piece.

I should have this tombak washed, I know. Problem is where ? I can try with some lemon juice.

Rick · 29th July 2005, 04:27 PM

Freddy , I think this blade needs a treatment in warangan rather than a wash . I doubt you will bring out the pamor with citrus . I have found that citrus wash tends to lighten the contrast rather than increase it with Indonesian pamor blades.

28th July 2005, 07:46 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,891	I have a striaght bladed tombak which is very functional, I can see the fancy metalwork that etching might bring out but I am concerned not to loose the patina that has developed. That blade looks quite grey and grainy already. It must have some importance for someone to go to all the trouble of making such a nice hand sewn scabbard. Tim+Sam Last edited by Tim Simmons; 28th July 2005 at 08:44 PM. Reason: SPELLING!!!

28th July 2005, 08:50 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Freddy, It is a tombak. The scabbard is the scabbard for a spear. I think you should remove the leather and I think a tombak scabbard will appear. of course I'm not 100% certain because i cann't look and feel through a picture. But the leather is not original and maybe some european owner before you had nothing to do on a rainy evening. The grip isn't an original either. I think the tombak came with the scabbard but without a the shaft. If the scabbard is a tombak scabbard it was mounted as a spear. The shaft could be a long one or a short one. Attached Images

29th July 2005, 04:09 AM	#4
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	It is a tombak. Henk's pictures does illustrate the features of the scabbard and shaft. The red circle is a feature of a tombak. Normally, the tang (pesi) is longer than a keris blade. I've seen pieces with the tang almost half of the blade length. Attached Images

28th July 2005, 08:56 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,891	Hello Henk, That chap is rather good with a needle on rainy nights

29th July 2005, 09:23 AM	#5
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Alam Shah is right about the tang. I have two tombaks that have a peksi as long as the half of the blade length. If it is possible for you to let it perform, it needs a good wash. I bet you will get a beatiful pamor out of it. Hello Tim, are you the guy on the rainy nights??? . It is done properly I completely agree with you. But it is not original on a tombak scabbard. Freddy you should remove the leather. As far as I can see on the picture the mouth of the scabbard has the carving of a tombak scabbard.

29th July 2005, 12:37 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Thanks for your comments. I'm a bit reluctant to remove the leather from the sheath. First, because it looks good. Secondly, I fear that if it's a plain wooden sheath underneath, I would have ruined the piece. I should have this tombak washed, I know. Problem is where ? I can try with some lemon juice.

29th July 2005, 04:27 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,365	Freddy , I think this blade needs a treatment in warangan rather than a wash . I doubt you will bring out the pamor with citrus . I have found that citrus wash tends to lighten the contrast rather than increase it with Indonesian pamor blades.