Sirau and their use

[KuKulzA28]

I'm glad my thread-resurrection has stimulated some good discussion on the use of siraui...

I wonder though, why are there such fine examples, and some of them dressed like keris, if it was simply a utility knife?

The possibility of two forms, the often fullered ones and the ones with a choil(?) due to the edge dropping a lil from the tang... is intriguing. Maybe the siraui form was taken in a martial direction from the utility origins... ?


Someday I'd love to own a few, if only for a little bit... Sumatran weapons just don't cease on seizing my attention.

[VVV]

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

I'm glad my thread-resurrection has stimulated some good discussion on the use of siraui...

I wonder though, why are there such fine examples, and some of them dressed like keris, if it was simply a utility knife? [snip]

When I am back home I will try to add some more information on this. I checked when the "variation I" first appeared on the forum and it seems to be in this thread.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1897

Somehow several sources named it a siraui at that time.

Michael

[KuKulzA28]

Well, while waiting for an update on this matter, I went ahead and got myself a modern made pisau that appears to be the same blade-style as one of the two types of siraui.

What do you guys think?

[Rick]

The form looks the same, just smaller; more like the size I would expect to see in a korambit .

Would size be a factor with this weapon ?

[KuKulzA28]

Originally Posted by Rick

The form looks the same, just smaller; more like the size I would expect to see in a korambit .

Would size be a factor with this weapon ?

I agree it does seem pretty small (but very handy). I think maybe blade length would matter since it feels like a slicer... and if one is to slice with a knife, a longer blade edge would definitely help. Whether or not it is a utility knife that can be easily used to fight with, or a fighting knife of a less-than-conventional style, or even two distinct types of knives, one for martial use and the other for mundane tasks... it seems like this is definitely a slicer if held conventionally...

However in pistol grip-like hold (like a badik) it punctures quite well without slipping (at least vs cardboard). Edge-up pistol grip feels odd to me... but maybe that is how it's meant to be used? Or maybe as a precision slicer.... I don't know.

I eagerly await a larger example to play with.

[VVV]

The (Javanese) knife you tried is similar, but as Rick pointed out much smaller, which limits the comparison for the different grips.
I am back home again and I just played with my full size knife, the version not pictured in van Z, trying out:

1) Hammer edge down.
2) Hammer edge up.
3) Icepick edge out.
4) Icepick edge in.
5) Pommel in palm push dagger style.
6) Pencil grip edge out.
7) Pencil grip edge in.

The most comfortable grip (for me with the design of my knife's blade) is 1) followed by 3), which is the same grips that are shown with the small (Javanese) knife in the post above. The least comfortable grips are 4) followed by 7) and 2). The reason for this is that the underside of the blade, closest to the handle, cuts in to my palm when I am holding it in those grips. For 2) I can adapt it by holding it lower on the handle and sliding in my thumb at the uncomfortable 90 degree blade point. For 4) I cannot do this.

My conclusion is that utility wise it is most comfortable in 1), with the thumb resting on the back of the blade.

[Sajen]

Hello Michael,

agree complete!

Regards,

Detlef