Is this too long of a blade for a Keris?

apolaki · 15th October 2008, 07:15 AM

Greetings Again, this is my second sword. I was told the "Hulu" is Indonesian origin, but the blade is from the Philippines? Can you pls tell me what you make of it and also a little history, place of origin, era, etc? Thanks soo much!

Thanks again, and I am still learning how to take more clearer pictures..

semar · 15th October 2008, 07:14 PM

hello Apolaki

this keris looks like a moro keris with a madurees hulu and a very bad self made scabbert

regards semar

David · 15th October 2008, 08:27 PM

No Apolaki, the blade isn't "too long", it's a Moro kris and should be sword length. The scabbard isn't high-end, but it is traditional and just fine. What is wrong with the picture is the hilt which you might want to consider replacing with an appropriate Moro hilt.

Bill · 15th October 2008, 09:05 PM

Hi, From the looks of the exposed wood, it doesn't look like it's been tampered with for a very long time. Most likely we will never find out where this kris last resided in it's "working life".
While the blade likely originated in the Southern Philippines, the original hilt will remain unknown.
Just my opinion, I would leave it alone. Nothing wrong with re-matching "correct" dress, if you suspect a collector was switching the hilt from pieces in his collection, but I would suspect other.
This is a very inter-active part of the world & was even more so when this sword was used.

Bill · 15th October 2008, 09:22 PM

Thinking about it, I wouldn't rule out this being the original hilt. While not a exact match, Moro Swords/Cato has examples in fig. 37 & 47, neither which is the norm, but Moro Swords have a tendency to break the norm.
There is definitely a possibility that the hilt was a trade piece, carved else where & ended up in the markets of the PI.
The sword & the hilt both have age & appear to have been around together for a long time.

kulbuntet · 16th October 2008, 12:43 AM

Can it be a borneo(Kalimantan) Keris? Some of then look like moro keris but they are not.

David · 16th October 2008, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

Thinking about it, I wouldn't rule out this being the original hilt.

I would rule this out for a few reasons, but first and foremost is that if you look closely i think you can see that the blade once had an asang-asang which i do not believe this hilt would accomodate.

15th October 2008, 07:15 AM	#1
apolaki Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 160	Is this too long of a blade for a Keris? Greetings Again, this is my second sword. I was told the "Hulu" is Indonesian origin, but the blade is from the Philippines? Can you pls tell me what you make of it and also a little history, place of origin, era, etc? Thanks soo much! Thanks again, and I am still learning how to take more clearer pictures..

15th October 2008, 07:14 PM	#2
semar Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 272	hello Apolaki this keris looks like a moro keris with a madurees hulu and a very bad self made scabbert regards semar

15th October 2008, 08:27 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,125	No Apolaki, the blade isn't "too long", it's a Moro kris and should be sword length. The scabbard isn't high-end, but it is traditional and just fine. What is wrong with the picture is the hilt which you might want to consider replacing with an appropriate Moro hilt.

15th October 2008, 09:05 PM	#4
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Hi, From the looks of the exposed wood, it doesn't look like it's been tampered with for a very long time. Most likely we will never find out where this kris last resided in it's "working life". While the blade likely originated in the Southern Philippines, the original hilt will remain unknown. Just my opinion, I would leave it alone. Nothing wrong with re-matching "correct" dress, if you suspect a collector was switching the hilt from pieces in his collection, but I would suspect other. This is a very inter-active part of the world & was even more so when this sword was used.

15th October 2008, 09:22 PM	#5
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Thinking about it, I wouldn't rule out this being the original hilt. While not a exact match, Moro Swords/Cato has examples in fig. 37 & 47, neither which is the norm, but Moro Swords have a tendency to break the norm. There is definitely a possibility that the hilt was a trade piece, carved else where & ended up in the markets of the PI. The sword & the hilt both have age & appear to have been around together for a long time.

16th October 2008, 12:43 AM	#6
kulbuntet Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Posts: 159	Can it be a borneo(Kalimantan) Keris? Some of then look like moro keris but they are not.