My new keris

DaveS · 1st March 2011, 03:25 AM

Jose: I read somewhere in one of the kris books that in the "old days" molar
tooth was thought to be an antidote to poisons, especially in the middle
eastern Islamic countries. It also was a trade item coming from Russian
Siberia. Modern knifemakers here in the U.S are also starting to use it on
their custom knife handles after it is stabilized. Don't know how it would hold
up under hunting conditions I wonder if Alan knows more about this material.
Dave.

Battara · 1st March 2011, 03:55 AM

My understanding is that it also protected the wearer because it was made of "dragon's tooth".

A. G. Maisey · 1st March 2011, 06:57 AM

No, sorry, I know of no myths nor beliefs of Javanese or Balinese origin that are associated with this material.

The oldest hilt of this material of which I am aware is the one in the Radya Pustaka Museum in Solo.

Scroll about three-quarters down the page:-

http://www.kerisattosanaji.com/radyapustaka.html

David · 1st March 2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The oldest hilt of this material of which I am aware is the one in the Radya Pustaka Museum in Solo.

Is there an indication approximately how old this hilt in the museum is?

A. G. Maisey · 1st March 2011, 08:41 PM

No David, there is not.

I first saw it in 1974, and my guess is that it is probably from either the 1960's or first 40 years of 20th century.

I emphasise "guess".

Gustav · 3rd September 2011, 02:59 PM

There is a kris with molar hilt, which is almost a twin to this one: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=keris+molar,
also a very huge exemplar, much to big for the keris (judging from aesthetics of today), which itself is not small. It came to Historical Museum of Bern in 1914 as part of the Moser-Charlottenfels collection.

This means, this hilt (and kris) almost surely was collected before 1876, definitely before 1893.

VANDOO · 4th September 2011, 09:06 PM

IN CHINESE MEDICINE THESE FOSSIL TEETH FROM VARIOUS ANCESTORS OF THE ELEPHANT AND RHINO WERE AND STILL ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS DRAGONS TEETH.
TAILSMANIC POWERS HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTIED TO SUCH THINGS SINCE TRIBAL TIMES IN ALL COUNTRYS AND THERE IS STILL BELIEF IN SPECIAL POWERS FOR SUCH THINGS IN MANY SOCIETYS TODAY.
I THINK THE MATERIAL IS VERY ATTRACTIVE AND USING A BROKEN TOOTH TO MAKE SUCH A HANDLE IS COOL BUT TO CUT UP A COMPLETE TOOTH TO MAKE A HANDLE.

I PERSONALLY WOULD PREFER TO HAVE THE WHOLE TOOTH IN ITS NATURAL STATE.

TO EAT IT GROUND UP IN MEDICINE

IS SORT OF LIKE EATING EXPENSIVE ROCK DUST TO CURE YOUR ILLS.

3rd September 2011, 02:59 PM	#6
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	There is a kris with molar hilt, which is almost a twin to this one: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=keris+molar, also a very huge exemplar, much to big for the keris (judging from aesthetics of today), which itself is not small. It came to Historical Museum of Bern in 1914 as part of the Moser-Charlottenfels collection. This means, this hilt (and kris) almost surely was collected before 1876, definitely before 1893. Last edited by Gustav; 3rd September 2011 at 07:44 PM. Reason: wrong spelling

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1st March 2011, 03:25 AM	#1
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Jose: I read somewhere in one of the kris books that in the "old days" molar tooth was thought to be an antidote to poisons, especially in the middle eastern Islamic countries. It also was a trade item coming from Russian Siberia. Modern knifemakers here in the U.S are also starting to use it on their custom knife handles after it is stabilized. Don't know how it would hold up under hunting conditions I wonder if Alan knows more about this material. Dave.

1st March 2011, 03:55 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	My understanding is that it also protected the wearer because it was made of "dragon's tooth".

1st March 2011, 06:57 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	No, sorry, I know of no myths nor beliefs of Javanese or Balinese origin that are associated with this material. The oldest hilt of this material of which I am aware is the one in the Radya Pustaka Museum in Solo. Scroll about three-quarters down the page:- http://www.kerisattosanaji.com/radyapustaka.html

1st March 2011, 08:41 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	No David, there is not. I first saw it in 1974, and my guess is that it is probably from either the 1960's or first 40 years of 20th century. I emphasise "guess".

4th September 2011, 09:06 PM	#7
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IN CHINESE MEDICINE THESE FOSSIL TEETH FROM VARIOUS ANCESTORS OF THE ELEPHANT AND RHINO WERE AND STILL ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS DRAGONS TEETH. TAILSMANIC POWERS HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTIED TO SUCH THINGS SINCE TRIBAL TIMES IN ALL COUNTRYS AND THERE IS STILL BELIEF IN SPECIAL POWERS FOR SUCH THINGS IN MANY SOCIETYS TODAY. I THINK THE MATERIAL IS VERY ATTRACTIVE AND USING A BROKEN TOOTH TO MAKE SUCH A HANDLE IS COOL BUT TO CUT UP A COMPLETE TOOTH TO MAKE A HANDLE. I PERSONALLY WOULD PREFER TO HAVE THE WHOLE TOOTH IN ITS NATURAL STATE. TO EAT IT GROUND UP IN MEDICINE IS SORT OF LIKE EATING EXPENSIVE ROCK DUST TO CURE YOUR ILLS.