Code IN59
This is a rawit from Sumatra, Indonesia c. 1890s. The rawit is a working knife typical of the Batak people in northern Sumatra. It appears in a number of sizes.
OAL is 11 1/2 inches. The overall sheathed length is 14 inches (35.5 cm) with a knife weight of 2.8 ounces (81 grams) and overall sheathed weight of 4¾ ounces (137 grams).
Blade length is 7 7/8 inches (20 cm). Blade width at the widest portion of “belly” is 3/4 inch. Blade thickness is 1/8 inch with no distal taper until just before tip. The blade is steel with multiple layers of lamination parallel to the plane of blade easily visible on the flat and spine of the blade. Blade thickness at the hilt is 0.12 inch (0.3 cm) with distal taper.
The hilt of dark horn is an elongated oval with a distinct top and bottom ridge and an integral thumb guard. The shape of the hilt resembles the “peudoi” form found on rencong from the same region. The hilt has a slightly incised geometric pattern.
The scabbard is a hardwood with a wranka style extension at the top and a bone tip. The scabbard does not appear to be custom made for this blade as the blade is loose when sheathed. The chape of the scabbard is bone with an inlaid strip of hardwood encirling the scabbard.
From the estate of Lew Waldman, the original collector.
