Code: IN12
Dapur (style): Suduk
Tangguh (era): Pajajaran
Pamor (surface pattern): Ngulit Semongko (“extends society life”)
Blade Features: grey pamor color, good metal workmanship and intact.
Hulu (hilt): Jati wood
Warangka (sheath): Jati wood. The base of the scabbard is covered with a brass metal plate with a pleasant scrolling vine pattern.
Total length: about 71 cm, length of the blade is about 68 cm
This is a traditional Javanese Pedang Suduk. Unlike its cousin, the Pedang Sabet, the Pedang Suduk is sharpened on both sides as well as the tip. This Pedang was favored by the warriors of the central Java courts.
This Pedang was made in the Pajajaran period (13th to 16th century). The heart of the Pajajaran was located in West Java. It is the old Sunda kingdom with an animist culture.
The estimate of age (“Tangguh”) of this blade (“Pesi”) is between the 12th and 14th Century. It measures 68 cm from the tip of the blade to the top of the hilt, 71 cm total together with the scabbard. The Pedang Suduk are typically sharpened on both the bottom and
the front top tip of the blade. This blade is so old it is literally sharp all over as it has become thin with age. The beautiful pamor, shown at right, is “Ngulit Semangka”. Pamor results from a complex forging process of the blade, using several metals, usually with nickel, folded and hammered. An acid wash reveals the fine pattern, which can be duplicated by master smiths. There are many different Pamor patterns, each with significance. (See “About Pamor” for more examples.)
Blades such as this one have a place of honor in the household and are quite often passed from generation to generation as a family heirloom (“pusaka”).
The hilt and scabbard are new. Worn hilts or scabbards would be replaced when needed. These are new. This scabbard is made from a fine Javanese wood called “jati”. The hilt is also made from jati wood. Typical of the “type 2” pedang, the base of the scabbard is covered with a metal plate (in this case it is brass) with a pleasant scrolling vine pattern.