Hello Charles,
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This is a Malay sundang with a quite unique blade. I was first tempted to put it on the other forum but I think I am more likely get expert feedback on the blade structure of this particular blade here.
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I'm glad you got this keris sundang and posted it here for further discussion!
What I also find remarkable is the subdued linear lamination along the blade; moreover, the curves of the blade apparently weren't forged but rather cut (stock removal) which is certainly unusual for laminated blades.
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The blade seems to be made of two very different forms of steel....one somewhat randomly linear, the other one very controlled and linear.... At first glance there is a temptation to think there's a scarf weld between the two, but at the point where the "swirling" pattern begins there is no overlap from one side of the blade to the other, so very likely this is no scarf weld.
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I believe Rasdan is pretty spot on that the "sorsoran" area probably needed additional material for forging/scroll work and the bladesmith just added a bit metal on both sides.
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I am hoping to learn more about what this structure is called, and how it is done. Is this two distinctly different pieces of steel welded together?
This blade seems much more in tune with a Indonesian keris than with a Moro kriss, at least regarding its make up or structure.
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I've seen metal similarly added to the base of the blade with Moro kris, too. The composition was closer to the pamor layers along the blade and, thus, of lesser contrast - I don't think the contrast was intentional with your sundang though.
Regards,
Kai