Aruval

Aruval
Aruval
Thirupatchiaruval.jpg
The Famous Thirupatchi Aruval
Type Machete
Place of origin Tamil Nadu & Kerala

An aruval (Tamil: அருவாள்]]) is an Indian machete variety, particularly seen in South India. These evolved independently from the Billhooks of Europe and the British Isles and are usually produced by local blacksmiths using discarded leaf springs of trucks and other heavy vehicles resulting in a strong but easy to sharpen blade, though the common usages of this tool don't call for a razor edge. The top, curved section does two things: the pointed hook makes it easier to use it as a grabbing tool and the curve adds more mass to the "sweet spot," requiring less force and making both heavy and fine chopping work easier. Sometimes, the blade close to the handle is kept razor-sharp so it can double usage as a knife for fine slicing and dicing. The tang in the short-handled aruvals is usually full-length rat-tail and handles are usually round, made with wood from Neem or Acacia species. Aruvals with longer handles rarely have full tangs and are usually used by farmers to chop grasses or harvest grains as the longer handles make it easier to work from an upright position.

It is unique in the fact that the blade starts from the grip to the main cutting part, more like an extended sickle. In effect it is a reverse curved sword and does not fall specifically under the categories of a sword or an axe. It is useful in slicing coconuts when it is shorter in length and sometimes in harming people when it is longer. The shorter aruval used for cutting coconuts can mainly be found in small villages of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.

Types Of Aruval

  • Kathir aruval - Used by farmers for harvesting the crops.
  • Veecharival - Used for cutting the woods,defending ourselves and to cut coconut. The Aruvals that were used in combat may reach a length of 3 – 4 feet.

Some aruval are worshipped by Tamils as they are weapons of the Kaval Deivams and these can be of lengths up to 6 feet.

Veecharival
Kathir aruval

See also


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