What is Wesi Malelo?

[Greybeard]

Hi all,

I just bought an old keris that shows much Wesi Malelo. What exactly is Wesi Malelo and how is it created?

As I can see some "sparkling" effect on the blade, I guess it might have something to do with the crystalline structure of the iron used for this keris.

Thanks and regards,

Heinz

[A. G. Maisey]

Wesi (or besi) malela (or malelo) simply means black iron. It is a traditional way of describing it.Harsinuksmo lists several different types of wesi malela, but his descriptions I find a little confusing. He mentions that he took these descriptions from old texts and notes that these texts are difficult to understand.

I do not understand what you mean by "sparkling".

Do you mean the seemingly amorphous , crystaline effect that appears to have little pale spots inside the iron, or do you mean something else?

Is the texture of this iron open and porous, or is it padat, ie, tight grained and compacted with a smooth surface?

[Greybeard]

Hello Alan

Thank you for your response.

I admit that "sparkling" is not the right word for what I want to say (my native language is German), but your description hits the spot!

The texture of the iron appears porous/open rather than compact/smooth. The color is greyish. I do know that photos would be helpful here; unfortunately I still cannot post pictures ...

Is Wesi Malelo a feature of old or very old keris, or can it be found on recent and new blades, too?

Regards, Heinz

[Rick]

Malela can be found in newer keris also Heinz .

[ferrylaki]

Originally Posted by Greybeard

Hi all,

I just bought an old keris that shows much Wesi Malelo. What exactly is Wesi Malelo and how is it created?

As I can see some "sparkling" effect on the blade, I guess it might have something to do with the crystalline structure of the iron used for this keris.

Thanks and regards,

Heinz

do you mean sparkling like this one in this sword? or a sparkling one like in this keris?

[Greybeard]

Hello Rick, thank you for the picture. Very beautiful keris; I like it a lot!

Hello Ferrilaki, the "sparkling" (somehow I feel that`s not the right word to describe it ...) in the sword comes quite close to the one in my keris. Pity I (still) cannot post pictures ... Thanks for yours!

Regards,

Heinz

[ferrylaki]

Originally Posted by Greybeard

Hello Rick, thank you for the picture. Very beautiful keris; I like it a lot!

Hello Ferrilaki, the "sparkling" (somehow I feel that`s not the right word to describe it ...) in the sword comes quite close to the one in my keris. Pity I (still) cannot post pictures ... Thanks for yours!

Regards,

Heinz

its a pleasure to help. your welcome

[Amuk Murugul]

Originally Posted by ferrylaki

do you mean sparkling like this one in this sword? or a sparkling one like in this keris?

Hullo everybody,

The 'sparkling' effect may be due to etching, revealing either impurities or martensite formed during the forging heating/cooling process. Perhaps someone with a knowledge in metallurgy may care to elucidate.

Best,

[Greybeard]

Perhaps I should have asked this question at the beginning: Is wesi malelo a pamor material, forged to a steel core, or does the entire blade consist of wesi malelo?

Heinz

[Amuk Murugul]

Originally Posted by Greybeard

Perhaps I should have asked this question at the beginning: Is wesi malelo a pamor material, forged to a steel core, or does the entire blade consist of wesi malelo?

Heinz

Hullo Heinz,

To me 'malela' merely means 'black steel', as opposed to 'tjoendiga' ('white steel')

Best,

[Rick]

Such as this ?