Keris stuck in sheath! Help?

[A. G. Maisey]

What you describe is a not uncommon problem.

I have sometimes had customers, who have purchased from me, tell me the same story. Often it turns out that the keris has gone into an airconditioned or heated environment; I'm not saying that this is the direct cause of the problem, but I do believe that it contributes.

I believe that the problem is mostly caused by the effect of varying conditions on the wood during the journey from one climate zone to another.

Even where I live, I have sometimes had keris stick in a scabbard, and no amount of pulling will release the blade from the scabbard.

The first thing I do is to remove the hilt, and using aluminium jaws to grip the tang, I put the tang into a vice, grip the top of the scabbard as shown in the pics, and after a couple of hard, fast jerks, it will usually come free.

If that does not work, I use a piece of wood and a pad of cloth on the side of the scabbard opening, up hard against the blade, and tap it loose with a hammer.

I hope the pics are sufficient explanation of the procedures involved.

Alternatively, you can wait until your winter is gone, and leave your keris in an unairconditioned environment for a few weeks during summer; I have been told that this approach works well.

PS---the watch is to show the size of the wooden drift and hammer used.