Hi, I've been trying to wrap my head around the kris. I've been following the kris threads of the last few months with interest. Having reread them and Cato hope I am prepped enough to start asking questions and with the forum being slow currently I believe this is a good time to ask.
Here are three recently sold examples of average kris that I thought were interesting for various reasons. This is a comparison overview shot.
What is your first impression of these swords? Age, designed use, overall cultural impression. Do we have a name for these swords yet?
Now here is the ganja shot. Does Cato's system of analyzing the ganja work? Two seem to me to be two piece ganja one I am uncertain about. If we had a name is it still the same? What else do you all see?
Dress. Handles. One is missing a pommel I believe. There are 2 baca baca on each. Would the hilt now change the name of each? What culture would you say each is from? Estimates on the age of handles?
Two examples have the sarong/sampir still. Age/culture? How does this change our perception of these two?
Sorry for any mistakes in terminology. I misplaced my vocabulary cheat sheet, but I really wanted to post these questions.
For the "ideal" should a kris be light and springy like a butcher knife or heavy and deliberate like a cleaver?
Thanks as always for any and all help towards understanding.
-IP