E-interview with Noesantara

E-Interview with Noesantara:

(Noesantara is the previous name of INDONESIA. The word INDONESIA was founded in 1928, before that we call our country as Noesantara. Noesantara also literally known as Archipelago. Zola Octanoviar)

After several months of exchanging emails with Zola Octanoviar, looking at the methods their friends use to create knives, and the incredible diversity of weapons, I had a hundred questions running through my mind. I proceeded to send "Noviar" a list of some of those questions and I am going to share the collective responses from Noesantara with you. I have taken the liberty of editing both the questions and answers to save space. Photo from left to right: Zola Octanoviar, Kang Rhaman (knifemaker), Lucky Prianata.
Q: Are Indonesian knife makers held in any special regard, like Japanese swordmakers, or are they treated the same as any local craftsmen?
A: Some knife makers, especially those who make Keris are considered to be a "Noble / Respectable / Holy Man / Special Man." Some were even said to bring wealth and prosperity to the kingdom because of their special skills.
Q: Historically many swordmakers in Japan were at least marginal Shinto Priests. Is there any similar religious connotation associated with Indonesian Knife makers?
A: Keris making has a strong connection to ancient Javanese belief called "Kejawen." This belief crosses religious boundaries between Hindu, Muslim and Christian, and establishes much of the ritual associated with keris making. The keris maker was held to be a Holy Man.
Q: Do most modern knifemakers in Indonesia use new steel from blanks or from other sources?
A: Some makers use European steel brought by the Dutch for bridges, etc. Some makers still make their blades from smelting iron ore but this is no longer common. The preferred steel is from the leaf springs of Jeeps, BMW, and Mercedes Benz. Older springs are more desirable than new ones.
Q: What is the usual quenching/tempering process and medium?
A: Most makers judge by the color of the steel when to quench and temper. They do not use a magnet to test for temperature. Water and oil are both used, depending upon the maker’s preference or experience. The colors are observed in a darkly lit workshop.
Q: How do the makers achieve such a smooth polish on the wooden and horn surfaces?
A: A form of pumice like material is used to smoothen the surfaces after which the wooden ones are finished with furniture grade varnish.
Q: Do knife makers apprentice, and if so for about how long.
A: Yes they apprentice, usually with a family elder. The apprenticeship can last for 10-15 years.
Q: Is the art of knife making growing or fading, and do most people buy local knives or modern production knives?
A: It is definitely fading! For example, most young people buy Japanese sword instead of Golok or traditional pieces. Daily cutlery purchases are mostly cheap Chinese imports of poor quality. If nothing is done then knife making the traditional way may die out within the next 50 years.
Q: Is there much demand for traditional swords? Are they used mostly for ceremonial events or martial arts training?
A: Some swords are still used for daily activities, such as hunting. The sword is also used in ritual ceremonies and dances, but the quality of the swords has declined until the balance, strength, and sharpness is very poor. (This is one of the reasons that Noesantara is attempting to reverse this trend. My note) In some remote areas extraordinary people still exist who make wonderful, sharp, balanced, pieces.
Q: And finally, do many people today practice the traditional martial arts, and if so are these normally taught in formal schools or in a home dojo?
A: Almost every village has a silat school that teaches young people. Some silat is taught in the home while other is taught in public school. In the cities the silat is fading as students turn to Japanese arts. The younger generation finds silat boring because the teacher insists on learning the basics by repetition before moving on to advanced studies. While this type of training is good for the student most of today’s generation is impatient.
My thanks to Octanoviar and Noesantara for the in-depth replies and insights into the direction that Indonesian arts and crafts are headed. I hope that through their efforts things can be turned around and that their arts will flourish once again. The plague of cheap Chinese products is like a scourge on the world right now and even smaller countries like Indonesia are feeling its negative impact on their culture and way of life. Noviar, Lucky and I are working together to design an "MIK" Modern Indonesian Knife for martial artists and those interested in a knife for daily-carry self defense. If you are interested in buying a high quality "MIK" or a traditional knife from Noesantara please contact me.

Dull knives and Dim-Witted People

Dull Knives and Dim-witted People:

“I don’t sharpen them because too many people pick them up at shows and bleed all over my knives.” Have you ever heard such a dumb response? That’s the answer I got from the maker of a custom Bowie knife I recently bought. So lets get this right, I paid $225 for a really nice, but dull knife. Folks a dull knife is nothing more than an expensive and ineffective prybar. I’ve heard this sort of thing too many times before. Ebay sellers say, “If you want it really sharp we can do that before we ship it.” Why do you have to make a special request that your knife be delivered sharp? How many times have you heard that, “the back edge could be easily sharpened.” Then sharpen it! You Mr. Knifemaker have the equipment. Don’t expect your customer, with nothing more than the knife sharpener on the back of his electric can opener, to do it.

Let’s go back to one of my earliest premises about buying and using a fighting knife. A knife, of any kind, is designed for only two purposes, to puncture or to cut. If it won't’ cut we’re reduced to one function, stabbing. If I wanted that I’d buy a Fairbairn Sykes or an ice pick and get something that really excels at stabbing, not a partially sharpened Bowie or a dull “Tactical” knife. If it will not do either, then it is not a knife, and if I wanted a prybar I’d go to Home Depot.

Does this knife maker have a valid excuse for not sharpening his knives? In days long past I used to demonstrate Muzzle-loading rifle building at historical events and gun shows. Inevitably some idiot (always a man) would walk up, and without asking, pick up my razor sharp carving tools and run his finger across the edge. Occasionally they would get bitten. Is this a problem? Only in this day and age of frivolous litigation and frivolous men (including judges) who lack common sense or a sense of etiquette would it be a problem. Let me give you another good example. As a member of our Japanese Sister City I was dressed in traditional Japanese clothing (including my sword) waiting to walk in a parade. The head instructor of a local karate club came over to introduce himself to me. He commented on my katana and as a courtesy I handed it to him so he could take a closer look. At this point he twirled it around like a baton and commented, “It has good balance.” I was speechless! It was beyond my comprehension that a teacher of martial arts could be so ignorant of proper etiquette when handling another persons sword. Here was a full-grown man supposedly responsible for teaching children respect and courtesy. Acting this way in Japan would have probably resulted in him being knocked on his fat butt. Had this been a shinken (or live blade) he might have gotten cut. If he had dropped it it could have been badly damaged, which was my real concern.

So, back to the dull knives and dim-wits. Fighting knives should be made and kept as sharp as the steel will permit. If you get cut, you did something stupid! Training knives and swords ought to be dulled for safety. The fact that they are dull is no excuse for treating them indifferently or casually. Training weapons should be treated with the same respect as their sharpened counterparts. In Japan it is a huge breech of courtesy to step over another persons wooden training sword. Twirling their sword would be absolutely unthinkable! Grabbing a knife or sword by the blade is an inconceivable act of disrespect to the weapon and its owner. If you are the owner or a martial arts instructor you ought to be sent back to weapons basics and white belt status. If you think that weapon etiquette is all foolish romantic hogwash maybe you should stick to manipulating your blackberry’s, X-boxes, and I-pods and leave men’s things to men.

Indonesian Knives

Indonesian Knives:

The introduction of a different culture to the martial arts mix will often influence both weapons design and fighting techniques. The bladed arts of the Philippines and Indonesia have been very influential in modern knife design. For example, the handle of my Cobra is shaped similar to a Keris or Lawi Ayam from Indonesia. Perhaps no other culture has invented and utilized a greater variety of exotic edged weapons than the peoples of the Philippines and Indonesian Archipelago.

Before you go running off and buy a Golock, Barong, Badik, etc. I should warn you that there is one caveat to this wonderful bounty of sharp things, it is that these culture-specific knives are often very narrowly focused in application. This does not necessarily mean they are not fully functional weapons, but they may not be good all-around weapons. Another problem with exotic weapons is finding a qualified teacher who can instruct you in their proper use. Unless you find a legitimate teacher you may never extract the knife’s full potential. There are also certain edged weapons whose function is more closely associated with religious or mystical ritual rather than combat. That is a topic for another time and currently beyond my scope. Having said this, I would recommend that you spend the time to find a teacher and invest the money in one or more of these knives. Their unique shapes will force you to learn new movements and techniques, therefore increasing your skills, but only if you seriously apply yourself to learning them correctly. A good reference book on Indonesian combat styles is Donn Draeger's, "The Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia." You can still find copies of this through Alibris.

Blade shapes from this region of the world are extremely diverse! They range in style from recognizable Bowie-looking knives to looking like something evil from "Lord of the Rings." They come in all sizes and shapes. Many of these weapons have an organic sort of look to them that is not found in the West. It is difficult to learn about these weapons because many of the books about them are written in Dutch. Go figure. For you younger readers it was Dutch Indonesia for many years. Many of these reference books are out of print and quite expensive. On Noviar’s recommendation I finally found and bought a copy of "TRADITIONAL WEAPONS OF THE INDONESIAN ARCHIPELAGO" by A. G. Van Zonneveld. This 160 page encyclopedic book provides brief descriptions and 650 photos of the weapons from this region. The photos are sometimes small, and while it is not cheap it is in English and an invaluable reference.

It was by chance that I became acquainted withZola Octanoviar. He is a young man who is working diligently to raise awareness of Indonesian edged weapons and to "improve our pieces to reach global accepted quality." During many subsequent emails back and forth we have discussed topics as far ranging as Scottish dirks and how to polish buffalo horn. Noviar is assisted in his efforts by his best friend Luck Prianata. Lucky is also a fervid Silat practitioner. Together they have marketed the local knife craftsmen’s wares on Ebay, organized a booth at a craft/trade fair, and personally donated monies and materials to assist struggling artisans in their local area.

From the numerous photos and videos they have shared with me, the knives they are selling seem to be of exceptional quality and artistry. Before too long I hope to review them in person and provide you with a critique of how well they perform and the fit and finish. To help them replace some of the books they lost in the tsunami a couple years back I have agreed to exchange books for knives. As part of our relationship they have asked for my input on American tastes in knives and how to size the handles to fit larger western hands. Lucky and Noviar are passionate about their traditional edged weapons and weapons arts and want to offer only serious knives, not tourist trash. I will keep you posted as this project evolves. I cannot wait to handle the Badik and other knives they made especially for this review. If you seeone of their knives on Ebay you might want to add it to your collection and find someone qualified to teach you how to use it.