Amanremu

[Machetero]

Thanks Roland.
That seems like solid reasons the horse hair tuft. I am leaning towards some tribal meaning, or as you say a sign of excellence somehow.
I'll try to get a photo of the Sikin, if you wanna see it.

/Odd

[Sajen]

Hi Roland,

again, it's a real beauty! I've handled the sword before so I can confirm that the hair tuft seems original to this sword, here is another North Sumatra sword with hair tuft, also this one I've handled and think that the hair tuft is also original to it: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22732
but not so nicely attached. Kai has recommended to remove the hair tuft but fortunately Thomas hasn't followed this advice!
I am curious to see the sikin from Machetero, it would be the third sword from North Sumatra with a hair tuft attached to the handle. Only because we haven't seen this feature before in books or somewhere else it don't mean that it can't be original.
When you ever want to part with this beauty you know who you can ask first!

Best,
Detlef

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by Machetero

Thanks Roland.
That seems like solid reasons the horse hair tuft. I am leaning towards some tribal meaning, or as you say a sign of excellence somehow.
I'll try to get a photo of the Sikin, if you wanna see it.

/Odd

Hi Machatero,

yes I'm very intersted to see yor Sikin!
I also have a so called Sikin Pasangan with a huge curved blade. According to Volz it is a Peudeung Pasangan. It also got a pretty nice temperline but not as sophisticated as on the Amanremu or Palasword.


Roland

[Machetero]

Here are a few pics of my Sikin, with the hair and all. The last picture shows a curious number stamped into the blade spine. What it means, I suppose I will never know. Perhaps just a collectors cataloging number. Perhaps something more exciting. I hope to see more of these hair tufts on Northern Sumatra swords, it is invigorating to stumble upon something which at first just seems like an anomaly, and then proves to be something more.
/Odd

[Machetero]

Roland. I love that blade on the sikin pasangan, Especially the beautiful curvature of that false edge.

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by Machetero

Here are a few pics of my Sikin, with the hair and all.

Machetero,

that is a nice Sikin Panjang with its original scabbard, which got lost in most cases. It is the first Sikin Panjang I see with a hair tuft and since the Sikin Panjang is a pure weapon, no multitool like many others, I think the blade of your Sikin is probably of good to high quality.

Yesterday I saw a little bit of the forging pattern of the Amanremu and it is absolutely awesome.

Roland

[Roland_M]

This is a little embarrasing for me, last night I found out, this Amanremu is no Amanremu. It is a rare Batak Pakpak Ladingin.
As soon as I'm satisfied with my restoration work, I will show it again with its real name. The forging pattern is worth to show.

[kai]

Hello Roland,

this Amanremu is no Amanremu. It is a rare Batak Pakpak Ladingin.

Woa, hold your horses!

While it may be argued that there might be a continuum Amanremu - Mermu - Ladingin, your blade is at the very Amanremu end of the whole spectrum...

Regards,
Kai

[Battara]

So sikim and amanremu had hair coming from the hollow place in the hilt..........

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Roland,


Woa, hold your horses!

While it may be argued that there might be a continuum Amanremu - Mermu - Ladingin, your blade is at the very Amanremu end of the whole spectrum...

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,

it is a Batak Pakpak Ladingin!
Here is my source and if you search for "Ladingin" you will find one from Gavin Nugent, which is very similar to my one and it also fits exactly to the Ladingin from Volz. The Amanremu got longer "horns" on the hilt and the tip of the blade is less rounded.

Roland