Introduction

The rencong is a typical Acehnese type of thrusting dagger that was often worn together with the sikin panjiang. They feature a narrow, pointy blade and a bulbous hilt, often with a long protrusion in the direction of the blade's spine.

For more information, see my glossary article: rencong

This example

It features a blade that Fischer classified as type B, with a sunken section near the spine and base. At the base the blade widens considerably, and has some ornamental serrations. An octagonal socket connects the blade to the water-buffalo horn grip.

The grip is of typical form, with a bulbous main grip that sharply bends towards the blade's spine, forming a narrow cross piece that helps in both pushing the blade and retrieving it. It is made of highly polished water buffalo horn.

The piece comes complete in its wooden scabbard, carved and decorated in the typical Acehnese fashion, and finished with a layer of clear lacquer. The scabbard consists of one pain piece, with only a separate strip as the back that was removed to hollow out the space for the blade.

Condition

Blade in near excellent condition. Same for the scabbard. One sliver of horn is missing from the grip, see photos.

Conclusion

A nice, almost textbook example of a north Sumatran rencong from Aceh, in very good condition.