an old keris tok chu..but is it from the master?

David · 10th January 2018, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexish

What is the reason that you charge your new keris with a powerful magnet. Is there a mystical reason, or does it help to preserve the blade?

If i told you i'd have to kill you.

But seriously, my reasons are purely personal. If they are mystical it is my own mystique, nit something derived from any arcane script or knowledge. As far as i know it serves no practical purpose such as blade preservation, but then, you never know.

Rick · 10th January 2018, 03:13 AM

Polar alignment.

mariusgmioc · 10th January 2018, 01:54 PM

Hello gentlemen,

While I didn't do any study on the magnetic properties of the keris, I want to highlight that ANY ferous object has some degree of magnetism as it is directly generated by Earth's own magnetic field. You can test this by aproaching steel spoons, scisors, knives, watches, etc. to a compass.

Moreover, most mechanical processing mechanisms, whether through plastic deformation or throgh chip removing, produce additional magnetization of the ferrous materials.

Last, but not least, the magnetic properties of a metal are greatly influenced by its composition and crystalline structure.

So I do not believe that magnetic properties of a keris can be considered as an indicator of age or quality, unless they are scientifically assesed.

David · 10th January 2018, 03:28 PM

Yes Marius, of course all iron is magnetic, but it can still exhibit a weak magnetic field (polarization). So many keris that i have personally handled only move the compass needle just slightly when approaching a compass. Being magnetic and being magnetized are two different things though. By applying a powerful magnet to the keris the blade is magnetized and now has a strong active north/south polarization. The blade become a magnet itself (it can now pick up a steel pin for instance).
Only Alexish made the suggestion that this might be used to judge the age of the blade, an idea he got from a dealer in Singapore. Dealers say a lot of things. I think most of us agree that this is unlikely.

Rick · 10th January 2018, 06:32 PM

Quite handy on a Binnacle.

David · 10th January 2018, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Quite handy on a Binnacle.

OK Rick, i'll bite...
What on Earth is THAT!

Rick · 10th January 2018, 09:34 PM

Flyovers...

The Binnacle holds the compass on a ship.
The two iron balls help to keep it properly 'tuned' so to speak.
The red one is on the left or port side of the vessel; green is on the starboard or right side as are the running lights on said vessel.

My Old Man used to give me a lot of grief about it when I was a kid because channel bouys are marked the same way and if you make a mistake woe be upon you..

When you leave a harbor you leave the red bouys on the left side of the vessel; returning, you leave them on the right; thus red, right, returning.

I remembered it this way: Port wine is red, both Port and Left have 4 letters.

I love Port.

10th January 2018, 06:32 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Iron Quite handy on a Binnacle. Attached Images

10th January 2018, 03:13 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Polar alignment.

10th January 2018, 01:54 PM	#3
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Hello gentlemen, While I didn't do any study on the magnetic properties of the keris, I want to highlight that ANY ferous object has some degree of magnetism as it is directly generated by Earth's own magnetic field. You can test this by aproaching steel spoons, scisors, knives, watches, etc. to a compass. Moreover, most mechanical processing mechanisms, whether through plastic deformation or throgh chip removing, produce additional magnetization of the ferrous materials. Last, but not least, the magnetic properties of a metal are greatly influenced by its composition and crystalline structure. So I do not believe that magnetic properties of a keris can be considered as an indicator of age or quality, unless they are scientifically assesed.

10th January 2018, 03:28 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	Yes Marius, of course all iron is magnetic, but it can still exhibit a weak magnetic field (polarization). So many keris that i have personally handled only move the compass needle just slightly when approaching a compass. Being magnetic and being magnetized are two different things though. By applying a powerful magnet to the keris the blade is magnetized and now has a strong active north/south polarization. The blade become a magnet itself (it can now pick up a steel pin for instance). Only Alexish made the suggestion that this might be used to judge the age of the blade, an idea he got from a dealer in Singapore. Dealers say a lot of things. I think most of us agree that this is unlikely.

10th January 2018, 09:34 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Flyovers... The Binnacle holds the compass on a ship. The two iron balls help to keep it properly 'tuned' so to speak. The red one is on the left or port side of the vessel; green is on the starboard or right side as are the running lights on said vessel. My Old Man used to give me a lot of grief about it when I was a kid because channel bouys are marked the same way and if you make a mistake woe be upon you.. When you leave a harbor you leave the red bouys on the left side of the vessel; returning, you leave them on the right; thus red, right, returning. I remembered it this way: Port wine is red, both Port and Left have 4 letters. I love Port.