Thanks for those pics Adam, yes, the various materials used are now quite clear, and you're dead right, it would have been a lot of work, but if one is a skilled worker in wood, such a job would not be at all difficult. For example, my own father was expert in the art of marquetry, and for him, a job like this would be no effort at all. On the other hand, for me it would be very difficult.
If a new hilt is not able to be obtained, the repair of the old hilt is necessary, but in my experience, such a repair would never be done in the areas of SE Asia with which I am familiar.
My opinion is that this hilt was repaired outside the culture of origin of the keris.
I'm pleased to hear that something has come down in price, those gloves were really very expensive back in the 1980's. I do not believe I gave any advice in respect of the use of those gloves in combination with wood working tools, I only related my own experience with them.
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