Keris Panjang questions

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by BigG

I dont have a photo of this at the moment, but I have seen features on Keris Panjang blades that are deemed to have talismanic purposes... These features are known within the circle of M'sian collectors as "Ketandaan" or "markings".

1 of the most common that I have seen is a combination of what appears to be fine cracks and chipping near the base of the balde at about 3-5 inches away from what would be the Keris Panjang equivalent to the sorsoran area. It runs horizontally across the blade and is usually mistaken as a forging flaw. Howevr, these are deemed to have been deliberately made unto the blade for talismanic reasons.

Namely that of a protective marking. These specific marking is said to be a "Penyekat" a "Ward". It works on the principle of an electrical surge protector if you will. ie when the Keris Panjang is used to effect an execution, the bad vibes emanating from the victims is prevented from reaching & tainting/corrupting the core of the keris... ie the peksi... where the strength of the Keris is deemed to be stored amongst the Malays. These warding mark also prevents the wielder of the Keris from being affected by the bad negative vibes travelling up the blade. The warding mark is thus a means of dissipating the bad vibes.

Not all Keris Panjangs are used for executions though and those used as status symbols may not have these warding marks on the blade. This marking is present in my own Keris Panjang tho...

Hope this helps..

Alam,
I will endevour to get a couple of comparative images published.

BigG,
Fantastic detail, thank you for sharing a wonderful insight in to the world of markings on these pieces.
I am currently comparing these markings on the example I have at hand to an 18th century marking seen on some European courtswords, the anchor symbol. Just exploration at this point as it is only somewhat similar in style.
I am pondering if this piece was actually an old European blade fully reforged around this marking in to its current form, it loosely explains the single short fuller beneath the marking too.
All that I can confirm is that it is I feel a very old example with lots of life still in the blade, having a wonderful smooth patina with fully razor sharp edges that have, unlucky for me, drawn blood completely unexpected and by complete accident...OUCH!!!

Thanks

Gav