Sirau and their use

Nonoy Tan · 19th March 2012, 04:08 PM

The Bisayans of the Philippines used a small knife called “Baia” also known as “Pisao.” It was used for cutting and thinning rattan strips. It was not a weapon. Reference to this tool can be found in Part 1 Book 3 of “Historia de las Islas e Indios Visayas” (1668) written by Francisco Alcina.

harimauhk · 19th March 2012, 06:45 PM

As with many blades throughout the Nusantara, it is entirely possible versions existed both for use and for combat. Knowing where Kuk's little Javanese piece was made (they only make weapons), it would have been a request from the silat community in Indonesia. I think this form was used both for weapons as well as utility knives, much like the golok, kerambit and celurit.

I picked up my siraui earlier and will take pictures when the sun is up.

harimauhk · 21st March 2012, 04:40 AM

Still waiting to hear back from my guru. The forge that made this siraui in West Sumatra also makes Minang kerambits: this leads me to believe they are commonly considered to be weapons there too.

VVV · 21st March 2012, 07:56 AM

Nice knife but it is much too small for this category.
The size of a (classic) Siraui should be almost like a bread knife.
Maybe the apples and oranges-syndrome of size etc. is the reason between the this confusion?

Michael

Sajen · 21st March 2012, 07:20 PM

Agree with Michael, it has the form of a siraui but is much to small. Here for comparison a picture from one of my ones in hand.

Regards,

Detlef

VVV · 21st March 2012, 08:19 PM

Yes Detlef,

Yours is the regular size. It's more obvious with your picture than giving measurements like I did.

Michael

Sajen · 21st March 2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

Yes Detlef,

Yours is the regular size. It's more obvious with your picture than giving measurements like I did.

Michael

And like I hold it in my hand (I am left handed) is IMHO the only way to handle it.

Detlef

21st March 2012, 07:20 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,272	Agree with Michael, it has the form of a siraui but is much to small. Here for comparison a picture from one of my ones in hand. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

19th March 2012, 04:08 PM	#1
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	The Bisayans of the Philippines used a small knife called “Baia” also known as “Pisao.” It was used for cutting and thinning rattan strips. It was not a weapon. Reference to this tool can be found in Part 1 Book 3 of “Historia de las Islas e Indios Visayas” (1668) written by Francisco Alcina.

19th March 2012, 06:45 PM	#2
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	As with many blades throughout the Nusantara, it is entirely possible versions existed both for use and for combat. Knowing where Kuk's little Javanese piece was made (they only make weapons), it would have been a request from the silat community in Indonesia. I think this form was used both for weapons as well as utility knives, much like the golok, kerambit and celurit. I picked up my siraui earlier and will take pictures when the sun is up.

21st March 2012, 04:40 AM	#3
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Still waiting to hear back from my guru. The forge that made this siraui in West Sumatra also makes Minang kerambits: this leads me to believe they are commonly considered to be weapons there too.

21st March 2012, 07:56 AM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Nice knife but it is much too small for this category. The size of a (classic) Siraui should be almost like a bread knife. Maybe the apples and oranges-syndrome of size etc. is the reason between the this confusion? Michael

21st March 2012, 08:19 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Yes Detlef, Yours is the regular size. It's more obvious with your picture than giving measurements like I did. Michael