Bali Keris with 10 luks...?

Athanase · 26th April 2016, 07:12 PM

Hello everybody.

I recently bought this old (before WW2 I think) Bali Keris because I like the warangka. The seller told me that he had bought the contents of an attic with many objects from 1930's (and some weapons of various origins).
I have observed the kris before buying it, but I made a big mistake. I did not notice that the blade had an even number of waves (10).
The blade measures 35cm (37cm perhaps originally). I guess the blade had to be very rusty and is at last cleaned the 11th wave broke too damaged.

So it asks me a question:
When Indonesian restores a an old knife in very poor condition whose last wave was rusting out or broken.
- They keep a kris with an even number of wave?
- Or they remove a wave to keep an odd number?

Rick · 7th May 2016, 04:23 PM

bump

David · 7th May 2016, 05:16 PM

I'm not sure i would consider your oversight a "mistake" per se. Would you not have bought the keris if you noticed that. Generally speaking when we have even number luks it is a case where a luk was lost to erosion. I personally would not remove more material from this blade to create an 9-luk blade if it was mine.

Athanase · 8th May 2016, 03:23 PM

I don't intend to remove a luk to the keris because it's a part of its history.
But traditionally in this situation, which is the choice of Indonesians??

Henk · 8th May 2016, 04:43 PM

I agree with David. The only thing i would do is trying to get a warangan treatment. The missing luk doesn't bother me at all on this keris. It looks to me as a fine keris.

Sajen · 8th May 2016, 06:37 PM

Hello Athanase,

I don't think that a Balinese would come to the idea to remove a luk by this blade. And all Indonesians who are familiar with keris would count 11 luk by it, in the case by your blade it is more as clear that it is a 11 luk blade. But have seen other blades where you need more as imagination.

Processed get blades where the edges are eaten by corrosion IMVHO.

Decent old Bali or Lombok blade, would like to see it stained.

Best regards,
Detlef

A. G. Maisey · 9th May 2016, 12:02 AM

Absolutely so Detlef.

Sajen · 9th May 2016, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Absolutely so Detlef.

Athanase · 10th May 2016, 10:29 PM

Thank you for your answers

26th April 2016, 07:12 PM	#1
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Bali Keris with 10 luks...? Hello everybody. I recently bought this old (before WW2 I think) Bali Keris because I like the warangka. The seller told me that he had bought the contents of an attic with many objects from 1930's (and some weapons of various origins). I have observed the kris before buying it, but I made a big mistake. I did not notice that the blade had an even number of waves (10). The blade measures 35cm (37cm perhaps originally). I guess the blade had to be very rusty and is at last cleaned the 11th wave broke too damaged. So it asks me a question: When Indonesian restores a an old knife in very poor condition whose last wave was rusting out or broken. - They keep a kris with an even number of wave? - Or they remove a wave to keep an odd number? Attached Images

7th May 2016, 04:23 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	bump

7th May 2016, 05:16 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,124	I'm not sure i would consider your oversight a "mistake" per se. Would you not have bought the keris if you noticed that. Generally speaking when we have even number luks it is a case where a luk was lost to erosion. I personally would not remove more material from this blade to create an 9-luk blade if it was mine.

8th May 2016, 03:23 PM	#4
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	I don't intend to remove a luk to the keris because it's a part of its history. But traditionally in this situation, which is the choice of Indonesians??

8th May 2016, 04:43 PM	#5
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	I agree with David. The only thing i would do is trying to get a warangan treatment. The missing luk doesn't bother me at all on this keris. It looks to me as a fine keris.

8th May 2016, 06:37 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hello Athanase, I don't think that a Balinese would come to the idea to remove a luk by this blade. And all Indonesians who are familiar with keris would count 11 luk by it, in the case by your blade it is more as clear that it is a 11 luk blade. But have seen other blades where you need more as imagination. Processed get blades where the edges are eaten by corrosion IMVHO. Decent old Bali or Lombok blade, would like to see it stained. Best regards, Detlef

9th May 2016, 12:02 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	Absolutely so Detlef.

10th May 2016, 10:29 PM	#9
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Thank you for your answers