The traditional art of keris making

A. G. Maisey · 16th December 2011, 06:55 PM

Depends on construction.

It is possible to forge just the pamor from 7 different ferric materials --- or 107 if one wishes --- this then becomes pamor sanak, and you can still put in the slorok.

If you just forge the ferric materials together you get a kind of mechanical damascus, and how good it is depends on the materials and the heat treat.

Pusaka · 16th December 2011, 07:06 PM

Is anyone here familiar with the name of the 16 types of Iron and the colours/musical notes. Below is an example of what I am talking about.
The translation is not good but if you take the handle off your keris and flick the blade it will produce a sound. In ancient times they put the sounds produced into 16 categories with a sound and colour for each type of iron used.

1 Like the sound of buzzing bees, usually have the prestige of such a dagger curved or wavy, the name of the iron Coral Deer, quiet and patient benefits.
2 Guurrr ... The color green metallic iron. iron Karindu name Aji, the benefits to the authority, get rich quick and good position.
3 Bluish purple color Guunggg BSI, iron Walulin name, the benefits a healthy body, respected people, easy to solve the problem.
4 Duuungg ... clear blue color of the iron metal name Aji Windu, the benefits to safety.
5 Nonggg ... Color greenish yellow iron, iron Walangi name, the benefits are fluent in food and clothing, and good for career pengasihan savings and loans.
6 Preng ... Color bluish-white metal, iron Melelaruyun name, its benefits to kedigjayaan or strength.
7 Nong-Ngong .... Color jet black iron, iron Warani name, its benefits can reach a high degree, rich and always successful in running the government.
8 Color buzzing black metal moss, name Terate iron, the benefits to pengasihan
9 Tuuunggg .... The color of raw white iron, iron Malelagedaga name, patient benefits, and always pitied.
10 ... The color white Trungg raw iron, iron Kanthot name, its benefits for family peace.

http://artikel.idris-nawawi.com/?p=85

David · 16th December 2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pusaka

Is anyone here familiar with the name of the 16 types of Iron and the colours/musical notes. Below is an example of what I am talking about.
The translation is not good but if you take the handle off your keris and flick the blade it will produce a sound. In ancient times they put the sounds produced into 16 categories with a sound and colour for each type of iron used.

1 Like the sound of buzzing bees, usually have the prestige of such a dagger curved or wavy, the name of the iron Coral Deer, quiet and patient benefits.
2 Guurrr ... The color green metallic iron. iron Karindu name Aji, the benefits to the authority, get rich quick and good position.
3 Bluish purple color Guunggg BSI, iron Walulin name, the benefits a healthy body, respected people, easy to solve the problem.
4 Duuungg ... clear blue color of the iron metal name Aji Windu, the benefits to safety.
5 Nonggg ... Color greenish yellow iron, iron Walangi name, the benefits are fluent in food and clothing, and good for career pengasihan savings and loans.
6 Preng ... Color bluish-white metal, iron Melelaruyun name, its benefits to kedigjayaan or strength.
7 Nong-Ngong .... Color jet black iron, iron Warani name, its benefits can reach a high degree, rich and always successful in running the government.
8 Color buzzing black metal moss, name Terate iron, the benefits to pengasihan
9 Tuuunggg .... The color of raw white iron, iron Malelagedaga name, patient benefits, and always pitied.
10 ... The color white Trungg raw iron, iron Kanthot name, its benefits for family peace.

http://artikel.idris-nawawi.com/?p=85

This is an interesting topic for me Pusaka. I have always been drawn to blades that "sing" and i have been curious about how the tone of specific keris might apply to the quality of the blade.

Pusaka · 16th December 2011, 08:45 PM

The 16 names of the types of iron varies, here are two lists one with names and the other with the name of the iron followed by the sound it makes.

1 Ambal, 2 Balitung, 3 kamboja, 4 karang, 5 kijang, 6 katub, 7 kenur, 8malela, 9 mangangkang,10 pulasani, 11 terate, 12 tumbuk, 13 tumpang,
14 welangi, 15 werani, 16 winduaji

1 Karang kijang = like the sound of buzzing bees
2 Puraseni = Gurrr
3 Mangkang Laki Laki = Drung
4 Mangkang Perempuan = Like rubbing salt together
5 Walulin = Gung
6 Ktub = Kun
7 Kamboja = Hub
8 Ambal = Da
9 Windudi = Kha
10 Tumpang = Aba
11 Werani = Um
12 Welangi = Om
13 Tarte = Jan
14 Melelo = Za
15 Kenur = Mak
16 Palitung = Va

Would be intrested to know what info others have on this and alternative lists etc

Pusaka · 17th December 2011, 04:15 PM

Found another list:

Karangkijang, iron is a fiber such as sea water, this is the 'priest' of iron; black rather blue; if beaten slow voice sounds like bees to fly. Power metal is cool and powerful.

Pulasani, iron that looks like stone Asih, silvery green color / nyamberlilen; if beaten slowly sound: Gurr ... Power is sincere, bring food and degrees, both used as the hereditary material.

Mengangkang, the iron is plain, black slightly purple. This type of iron, there are two kinds: Mengangkang men if its beaten slow sound: Drungngng ... (long echo it). Power is excellent, adding that authority. Mengankang women beaten slowly if it sounds like the voice ambrengengeng bees fly. Its power, and be the person to bring sustenance.

Walulin, such as the ironof malela sand (visible crystals that shine in the show surface), the color is rather blue; if its beaten slow sound: Gung ... vibrant, clever appearance (dry impressive). Power is respected, the people, both to keep livestock.

Katub, is like a hair iron, black and slightly green color, shine; if beaten slowly sound: Kung, ambrengengeng such as bees fly. Immune to its power and good for traders.

Kamboja, the iron is a bit of white color, luster fiber; if its beaten slow sound: Ngong Tong-... nging long. This is the 'princess' of iron; the owner can not be adultery. Power is respected people.

Welangi, iron which said came from the sea; colored sulfur; if beaten slowly sounds: Nging ... ambrengengeng sound like bees to fly. Its power for safety and easy to find sustenance, but may not be the money.

Ambal, iron, which is reddish blue, which they say comes from the mountain rock. If beaten slowly, the sound ambrengengeng vibrate. If the material is used as a keris, ambal iron can be powerful and 'draw' other inheritance.

Tumpang, iron is given the title of 'the key of the iron'. Slightly blue purple; The noise if slowly beaten sound: Jrung ... its long reverberation. Power both to its strength and authority.

Winduadi, it seems that iron is derived from the throat Sang Hyang Mudikbathara. White and blue is like glass; The noise if slowly beaten soundung... Power for his strength and fortitude, not submerged in water.

Werani, it seems that iron is derived from Mount Srandil; black quite like purple flowers pupil. The noise if slowly beaten sound: ambrengengeng sound like bees to fly. Power is very powerful, if the owners are in a strong, rank and rank will be increased; if not strong, even the poor.

Terate, iron is black like a mossy, perhaps derived from the stone Asih. If it hit slow like the sound of bees fly. Power is far from the scandal and easy in approach women.

Malela Ruyun, it seems that iron is derived from cendani stone, slightly blue-white, stringy like hair. The noise if slowly beaten sound: Preng ... vibrate. Its power to increase the firmness, courage and faith.

Balitung, the good, the iron is derived from the stone, black purple slightly soupy. The noise if slowly beaten sound: Ting ... long. Power is good for fishermen.

Kenur, is a black iron shine like crow-quill. The noise if slowly beaten sound: Srung ... ambrengengeng. Charged for both merchants and save money.

Malela Kendaga, also called Loya irons; if its beaten slow sound: Tung ... Power to increase its courage and fortitude to keep the faith.

Tumbuk, it seems that iron is derived from Ceylon, slightly yellow, white, sparkling like coral reefs. The noise if is slowly beaten sound: Gong ambrengengeng. Power both to save the property, and the jinn and devils fear Him.

http://kerisjawadwipa.blogspot.com/

PenangsangII · 18th December 2011, 02:43 AM

types of wesi mentioned above can be best identified by somebody who is an empu keris or at least a pandai keris. Or maybe by people who live around an active empu. Those are types of "tosan aji" that make up what keris is all about. My guru would call the tosan aji as the essence of a keris and this is what we call the "soul" of a keris. Without a tosan aji, a keris is soulless and it may be called just an 'ageman' or worse as 'keris kerisan' (keris-like object)

Pusaka · 18th December 2011, 12:33 PM

But is this to be taken literally (16 types of wesi) or symbolically because I know the number 16 has a symbolic meaning with relation to the keris which seems to be ancient. For example in some systems the blade of the keris is divided into sixteen segments and a meaning is given to each of these segments.

16th December 2011, 06:55 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,065	Depends on construction. It is possible to forge just the pamor from 7 different ferric materials --- or 107 if one wishes --- this then becomes pamor sanak, and you can still put in the slorok. If you just forge the ferric materials together you get a kind of mechanical damascus, and how good it is depends on the materials and the heat treat.

16th December 2011, 07:06 PM	#2
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	Is anyone here familiar with the name of the 16 types of Iron and the colours/musical notes. Below is an example of what I am talking about. The translation is not good but if you take the handle off your keris and flick the blade it will produce a sound. In ancient times they put the sounds produced into 16 categories with a sound and colour for each type of iron used. 1 Like the sound of buzzing bees, usually have the prestige of such a dagger curved or wavy, the name of the iron Coral Deer, quiet and patient benefits. 2 Guurrr ... The color green metallic iron. iron Karindu name Aji, the benefits to the authority, get rich quick and good position. 3 Bluish purple color Guunggg BSI, iron Walulin name, the benefits a healthy body, respected people, easy to solve the problem. 4 Duuungg ... clear blue color of the iron metal name Aji Windu, the benefits to safety. 5 Nonggg ... Color greenish yellow iron, iron Walangi name, the benefits are fluent in food and clothing, and good for career pengasihan savings and loans. 6 Preng ... Color bluish-white metal, iron Melelaruyun name, its benefits to kedigjayaan or strength. 7 Nong-Ngong .... Color jet black iron, iron Warani name, its benefits can reach a high degree, rich and always successful in running the government. 8 Color buzzing black metal moss, name Terate iron, the benefits to pengasihan 9 Tuuunggg .... The color of raw white iron, iron Malelagedaga name, patient benefits, and always pitied. 10 ... The color white Trungg raw iron, iron Kanthot name, its benefits for family peace. http://artikel.idris-nawawi.com/?p=85

16th December 2011, 08:45 PM	#4
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	The 16 names of the types of iron varies, here are two lists one with names and the other with the name of the iron followed by the sound it makes. 1 Ambal, 2 Balitung, 3 kamboja, 4 karang, 5 kijang, 6 katub, 7 kenur, 8malela, 9 mangangkang,10 pulasani, 11 terate, 12 tumbuk, 13 tumpang, 14 welangi, 15 werani, 16 winduaji 1 Karang kijang = like the sound of buzzing bees 2 Puraseni = Gurrr 3 Mangkang Laki Laki = Drung 4 Mangkang Perempuan = Like rubbing salt together 5 Walulin = Gung 6 Ktub = Kun 7 Kamboja = Hub 8 Ambal = Da 9 Windudi = Kha 10 Tumpang = Aba 11 Werani = Um 12 Welangi = Om 13 Tarte = Jan 14 Melelo = Za 15 Kenur = Mak 16 Palitung = Va Would be intrested to know what info others have on this and alternative lists etc

17th December 2011, 04:15 PM	#5
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	Found another list: Karangkijang, iron is a fiber such as sea water, this is the 'priest' of iron; black rather blue; if beaten slow voice sounds like bees to fly. Power metal is cool and powerful. Pulasani, iron that looks like stone Asih, silvery green color / nyamberlilen; if beaten slowly sound: Gurr ... Power is sincere, bring food and degrees, both used as the hereditary material. Mengangkang, the iron is plain, black slightly purple. This type of iron, there are two kinds: Mengangkang men if its beaten slow sound: Drungngng ... (long echo it). Power is excellent, adding that authority. Mengankang women beaten slowly if it sounds like the voice ambrengengeng bees fly. Its power, and be the person to bring sustenance. Walulin, such as the ironof malela sand (visible crystals that shine in the show surface), the color is rather blue; if its beaten slow sound: Gung ... vibrant, clever appearance (dry impressive). Power is respected, the people, both to keep livestock. Katub, is like a hair iron, black and slightly green color, shine; if beaten slowly sound: Kung, ambrengengeng such as bees fly. Immune to its power and good for traders. Kamboja, the iron is a bit of white color, luster fiber; if its beaten slow sound: Ngong Tong-... nging long. This is the 'princess' of iron; the owner can not be adultery. Power is respected people. Welangi, iron which said came from the sea; colored sulfur; if beaten slowly sounds: Nging ... ambrengengeng sound like bees to fly. Its power for safety and easy to find sustenance, but may not be the money. Ambal, iron, which is reddish blue, which they say comes from the mountain rock. If beaten slowly, the sound ambrengengeng vibrate. If the material is used as a keris, ambal iron can be powerful and 'draw' other inheritance. Tumpang, iron is given the title of 'the key of the iron'. Slightly blue purple; The noise if slowly beaten sound: Jrung ... its long reverberation. Power both to its strength and authority. Winduadi, it seems that iron is derived from the throat Sang Hyang Mudikbathara. White and blue is like glass; The noise if slowly beaten soundung... Power for his strength and fortitude, not submerged in water. Werani, it seems that iron is derived from Mount Srandil; black quite like purple flowers pupil. The noise if slowly beaten sound: ambrengengeng sound like bees to fly. Power is very powerful, if the owners are in a strong, rank and rank will be increased; if not strong, even the poor. Terate, iron is black like a mossy, perhaps derived from the stone Asih. If it hit slow like the sound of bees fly. Power is far from the scandal and easy in approach women. Malela Ruyun, it seems that iron is derived from cendani stone, slightly blue-white, stringy like hair. The noise if slowly beaten sound: Preng ... vibrate. Its power to increase the firmness, courage and faith. Balitung, the good, the iron is derived from the stone, black purple slightly soupy. The noise if slowly beaten sound: Ting ... long. Power is good for fishermen. Kenur, is a black iron shine like crow-quill. The noise if slowly beaten sound: Srung ... ambrengengeng. Charged for both merchants and save money. Malela Kendaga, also called Loya irons; if its beaten slow sound: Tung ... Power to increase its courage and fortitude to keep the faith. Tumbuk, it seems that iron is derived from Ceylon, slightly yellow, white, sparkling like coral reefs. The noise if is slowly beaten sound: Gong ambrengengeng. Power both to save the property, and the jinn and devils fear Him. http://kerisjawadwipa.blogspot.com/

18th December 2011, 02:43 AM	#6
PenangsangII Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 401	types of wesi mentioned above can be best identified by somebody who is an empu keris or at least a pandai keris. Or maybe by people who live around an active empu. Those are types of "tosan aji" that make up what keris is all about. My guru would call the tosan aji as the essence of a keris and this is what we call the "soul" of a keris. Without a tosan aji, a keris is soulless and it may be called just an 'ageman' or worse as 'keris kerisan' (keris-like object)

18th December 2011, 12:33 PM	#7
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	But is this to be taken literally (16 types of wesi) or symbolically because I know the number 16 has a symbolic meaning with relation to the keris which seems to be ancient. For example in some systems the blade of the keris is divided into sixteen segments and a meaning is given to each of these segments.