Bugis Keris with unusual blade

[RSWORD]

I find the blade on this Keris quite atypical not only for the type of dress but for Keris in general. Am interested into thoughts about the blade and if it looks unusual to your eyes as well and if so what features do you find different?

[Gustav]

A beautiful Keris from Northern Malay Peninsula, perhaps Kelantan. Unusual at some degree is actually only the VERY strong cetral ridge (Odo-Odo in javanese terminology) till the tip.

Congratulations!

[David]

I believe this would qualify as a sepokal blade. Not really that unusual, though as Gustav has pointed out, the very pronounced center ridge is not often seen on this dhapur. Beautiful execution of line and form, though, makes this piece exceptional.

[RSWORD]

Thanks for the feedback. Good to hear it isn't "abnormal". What caught my eye as unusual was the pronounced ridge line and secondly was how the blade was forged. It is not a layered or pamor blade. Rather, it is a homogeneous steel with hardened edges. If you look closely you can see the darkened zone along each edge. Curious how this would have been forged. But you are right David the lines are georgeous!

[David]

Originally Posted by RSWORD

It is not a layered or pamor blade. Rather, it is a homogeneous steel with hardened edges. If you look closely you can see the darkened zone along each edge. Curious how this would have been forged. But you are right David the lines are georgeous!

Admitted, the technical aspects of forging blades is not my strong point. However, while this blade displays no contrasting pamor i am not convinced that it is not a layered blade forged in the same fashion of most keris, just without any contrasting materials involved. In Jawa this would be referred to as pamor sanak, just plain iron with a steel core. It seems to me that the majority of Peninsula keris are sanak blades.

[Bjorn]

It's my impression as well that many peninsular blades are sanak ones. Your particular blade is indeed very attractive. The interplay of lines is very pleasing to the eye. I agree with the earlier opinions that the pronounced ada-ada sets it apart. A gorgeous blade!

[Jean]

Originally Posted by David

In Jawa this would be referred to as pamor sanak, just plain iron with a steel core. It seems to me that the majority of Peninsula keris are sanak blades.

Pamor sanak or kelengan?
Regards

[Marcokeris]

Originally Posted by RSWORD

I find the blade on this Keris quite atypical not only for the type of dress but for Keris in general. Am interested into thoughts about the blade and if it looks unusual to your eyes as well and if so what features do you find different?

Beautiful keris!!