Old javanese Keris?

David · 11th April 2016, 03:48 PM

Well technically Madura is administered as "East Jawa", so calling this an East Jawa keris does not seem incorrect to me. Certainly we do see keris that seem more likely to have come specifically from the island of Madura, but this keris looks like it could go either way.
I see what Gio was hoping might be engraving marks on the blade for kinatah attachment, but i think Gustav is probably correct that this is just bade erosion. I have certainly seen worse condition on blades, but would fall short on calling this one "in good condition". However Athanese, i believe it would indeed be in your best interest (and that of this keris) to continue your cleaning process to remove all the rust on this blade. A good long soak in a mild acidic bath such as pineapple juice with frequent brushing with a toothbrush should clean it up nicely without causing any further damage to the blade. Then neutralize the acid with a slurry made with baking powder. This should not only not damage your blade, but will prevent further erosion that the remaining rust will cause over time.

Athanase · 11th April 2016, 05:03 PM

Thanks you for your advice.

"baking powder" is NaHCO3???

David · 12th April 2016, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanase

Thanks you for your advice.

"baking powder" is NaHCO3???

Yeah, i said baking POWDER, but i should have said SODA which is what NaHCO3 is. Make a slurry by mixing it with a little water and glob it onto the blade and let it sit for a minute. It will neutralize the acids from the cleaning bath.

A. G. Maisey · 12th April 2016, 02:55 AM

Yep, bicarbonate of soda.

As David advises, let it sit on the blade for a while, thoroughly rinse clean under running water, pat dry with a lint free cloth, and spray well with WD40 or a similar substance. Let the WD40 dry off overnight, paint the blade with some sort of oil:- light machine oil, gun oil, traditionally scented oil. Wrap it in plastic film and store in a dry environment.

No problems with corrosion for a very long time.

11th April 2016, 03:48 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	Well technically Madura is administered as "East Jawa", so calling this an East Jawa keris does not seem incorrect to me. Certainly we do see keris that seem more likely to have come specifically from the island of Madura, but this keris looks like it could go either way. I see what Gio was hoping might be engraving marks on the blade for kinatah attachment, but i think Gustav is probably correct that this is just bade erosion. I have certainly seen worse condition on blades, but would fall short on calling this one "in good condition". However Athanese, i believe it would indeed be in your best interest (and that of this keris) to continue your cleaning process to remove all the rust on this blade. A good long soak in a mild acidic bath such as pineapple juice with frequent brushing with a toothbrush should clean it up nicely without causing any further damage to the blade. Then neutralize the acid with a slurry made with baking powder. This should not only not damage your blade, but will prevent further erosion that the remaining rust will cause over time.

11th April 2016, 05:03 PM	#2
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 420	Thanks you for your advice. "baking powder" is NaHCO3???

12th April 2016, 02:55 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,047	Yep, bicarbonate of soda. As David advises, let it sit on the blade for a while, thoroughly rinse clean under running water, pat dry with a lint free cloth, and spray well with WD40 or a similar substance. Let the WD40 dry off overnight, paint the blade with some sort of oil:- light machine oil, gun oil, traditionally scented oil. Wrap it in plastic film and store in a dry environment. No problems with corrosion for a very long time.