Moro Kris with chevron pattern twist core

[Jens Nordlunde]

Kino, this is really interesting. My knowledge of kris' is closse to nil, but I now and again have a look at the threads.
The chevron pattern is quite clear, and shows the pattern welded pieces and the mono pieces clearly - very nice.
I have been wondering why the combination is pattern welded and mono steel, but so far I have not found the answer. Maybe it has something to do with heat forging wootz and mono steel, contra the heat needed when forging pattern wealde steel and mono steel.
Jens

[F. de Luzon]

Thank you for your reply, Kino. While the shape of the hilt resembles that of a gunong, the presence of the (faux) hilt cup (pendokok/mendak) tells me that the hilt is not of Moro origin. I haven't seen any moro kris with a hilt cup in the shops/museums in Manila and Davao, nor in any of the literature.

Also, are those things on the hilt made of silver? It reminds me of the hilt of a keris I purchased in Malaysia (photo attached).

Anyway, I'm just sharing my thoughts.

Kind regards,

Fernando

[Spunjer]

excellent kris, brother! never seen one like this! you have a very unique piece. congrats!!

[kino]

Jens, interesting indeed. Pardon my ignorance, with your experience in chevron pattern blades, do you find it present only in Indian, Indo-Persian blades? I'm trying to understand where the Moro bladesmith would have gotten his inspiration to forge this blade from.

Fernando, I don't know if the white metal on the hilt is silver or not. The hilt looks so odd that I agree that the hilt is not Moro in origin, but Moro inspired in a way? Have a look at this Moro Kris hilt, it has what it could be interpreted as a hilt cup.


Spunger, thanks homie. First one I've seen as well. I believe there are more out there.
Just like the twist core Barung blades that showed up after all these years. I recall there were some that believed they didn't exist.

[Battara]

Originally Posted by kino

Fernando, I don't know if the white metal on the hilt is silver or not. The hilt looks so odd that I agree that the hilt is not Moro in origin, but Moro inspired in a way? Have a look at this Moro Kris hilt, it has what it could be interpreted as a hilt cup.

This picture has a Maguidanao ganga identical to one I have that is attributed to Datu Piang!

I do agree that the hilts are similar.

Congratulations on a crazy unique Moro piece - I too never saw a great example like this!