Kris/sundang

[Timo Nieminen]

Some kris/sundang. From left to right:

1. Welded edges. Light and very agile; this is partly because it's somewhat petite. 593g.

2. Some chips to pommel, pommel was loose and is now reglued (and temporarily taped). 713g.

3. Long, light, and agile. Welded edges. The tip has been bent and straightened, and there is some slight delamination as a result. The end of the tail of the gangya is cracked. The strap from the stirrup goes all the way to the front point of the pommel - I haven't seen this before. Grip needs re-wrapping. Some damage to the scabbard (you can see the good side; the scabbard mouth on the bottom left side is missing, exposing the tail of the gangya). An excellent fighting weapon. 644g.

4. A pig of a kris, thick-bladed and unwieldy. One-piece blade, handle is a replacement. The weight of 866g does not go close to expressing how clumsy this is compared to the previous ones.

5. Modern. Dark blade. Malayan peninsula or Borneo? I'm not fond of the ergonomics of the grip, but otherwise it's nice. 695g.

6. Touristerrific, blade seems to be made from thin sheet metal. There has been some forging at the hilt end of the blade, perhaps to thicken the base of the gangya. Decoration, not weapon. 448g.