Pedang Lurus

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Flavio

Hi Bill, this is a very nice piece (love the lamination!!), but seems to me that doesn't fit the classification of Van Z. for a Pedang Lurus, seems more some kind of golok or something different....
Kind regards

Could be, I'll take a look at Van Z.

It was one of my first pieces and I really fell in love with it when I first got it from Rick at RSWORD. He had it on eBay and nobody bid his minumum -- about $200. This was several years ago, before the prices began their climb.

I emailed him and made an offer close to his minimum bid and he accepted. I was fascinated when I first opened the package. Somewhat by the different colors of the horn, but more so by the overall feel.

Just a really neat piece. Well loved by previous owners and now has a special place in my collection.

[Bill M]

I think that Henk and Spiral are right. The grey has the greater detail and was likely the side that was to the outside when worn in a sash.

This would also give the proper grip placement for a draw by the right hand when worn on the left side.

[josh stout]

I am a little unsure about how all the details work, but there is a ranking system to horn color in Indonesia. In wayang kulit, dark horn is fit only for crude creations and is usually seen on tourist pieces. Sometimes older ones with nicer work will be fitted with dark horn before being sold to tourists, and this is a sign that the puppet is a composite piece. The light horn is appropriate for well made wayang kulit, but there still seems to be a hierarchy. Important characters get pure blond, important characters with small roles may have mixed horn sticks of blond with a bit of dark, and minor characters such as the mother of an obscure king might have the dark horn handles.
Josh

[CharlesS]

I agree with Flavio, while a lovely sword, I would not classify it as a "pedang lurus". This sword appears to be more of a short slasher, which I think would better rate as a "golok" or even perhaps a "klewang".

While this sword could be viewed as have "stabbing potential", a pedang lurus is certainly a thruster first and slasher second IMO. This sword appears to be just the opposite.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

I agree with Flavio, while a lovely sword, I would not classify it as a "pedang lurus". This sword appears to be more of a short slasher, which I think would better rate as a "golok" or even perhaps a "klewang".

While this sword could be viewed as have "stabbing potential", a pedang lurus is certainly a thruster first and slasher second IMO. This sword appears to be just the opposite.

I agree also, lets just call it a kelly-wang (a Phillip Tom-ism)

[CharlesS]

Ironically, Bill, I just had a sword related conversation with a native of Borneo, and they actually did use the pronounciation "Kelly-wang" and not "KLE-wang". I was a little surpised and found it interesting.

[kronckew]

light coloured horn items: i prefer them myself. couple of mine:

[Rick]

Originally Posted by josh stout

I am a little unsure about how all the details work, but there is a ranking system to horn color in Indonesia. In wayang kulit, dark horn is fit only for crude creations and is usually seen on tourist pieces. Sometimes older ones with nicer work will be fitted with dark horn before being sold to tourists, and this is a sign that the puppet is a composite piece. The light horn is appropriate for well made wayang kulit, but there still seems to be a hierarchy. Important characters get pure blond, important characters with small roles may have mixed horn sticks of blond with a bit of dark, and minor characters such as the mother of an obscure king might have the dark horn handles.
Josh

Here's a nice variegated piece .
Cow or Kerbau, I don't know .