Matching Balinese keris sheath and hilt

[kai]

Hello Rasdan,

I believe if one is going to wear ones keris is what we see as the standard Balinese style (to the back with the hilt riding up over the shoulder) that the sheath must be long enough to make this positioning possible regardless of the length of the blade.

I second David's opinion. I also have seen quite a few small-sized blades in long Bali scabbards.

I believe that the wooden cecekahan hilt does look appropriate for the scabbard; I guess it will also look better with the short blade when drawn from the scabbard...

Regards,
Kai

[rasdan]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Rasdan,
I believe that the wooden cecekahan hilt does look appropriate for the scabbard; I guess it will also look better with the short blade when drawn from the scabbard...
Regards,
Kai

Hi Kai,

This is indeed the case. I asked the dealer to ask the mranggi to make the hilt about 15 cm high. The height is correct, but the base of the hilt was made thinner that is lacks the "fat" look of some of the usual bondolan or cekahan. I think the mranggi that made the hilt made it to feel good in hand. It also matches the blade nicely.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by rasdan

Hi Kai,

This is indeed the case. I asked the dealer to ask the mranggi to make the hilt about 15 cm high. The height is correct, but the base of the hilt was made thinner that is lacks the "fat" look of some of the usual bondolan or cekahan. I think the mranggi that made the hilt made it to feel good in hand. It also matches the blade nicely.

IMO the hilt size should be not only proportioned to the sampir but also to the blade length and as a personal rule of thumb the hilt size (excluding the uwer) should not exceed one third of the blade length. In your case the blade length is about 35.5 cm (14") so the hilt size should not exceed about 12 cm instead of 15, it would appear obvious if you had shown the blade to us....
I attach the pic of a nice blade with a well-proportioned hilt IMHO.
Regards

[rasdan]

Hi Jean, I agree with your ratio. It is just that although this current hilt is taller, the base of it is narrower than normal bondolan. So it has some effect to the overall look.