keris oil

[Pusaka]

I used the essential oil of myrrh not the resin however it did make a varnish.
The almond oil I purchased did not have a noticeable scent so I don’t think it will affect the overall scent much.
I hear that some keris oils encourage fungal growth in the wooden sheath if used excessively.

I wonder if some keris oils are made with the same care as cimande oil. Traditionally the recipe of the oil used in cimande Silat is a closely guarded secret. It is produced on one night a year and empowered by reciting sacred mantras into the oil. According to Ace Sutisna, one of the holders of the recipe “the oil in itself is not unusual, it is the mantra that brings it to life”

[nechesh]

Originally Posted by Pusaka

I used the essential oil of myrrh not the resin however it did make a varnish.
The almond oil I purchased did not have a noticeable scent so I don’t think it will affect the overall scent much.
I hear that some keris oils encourage fungal growth in the wooden sheath if used excessively.

Well obviously you would use the essential oil. My point was that it still comes from a resinous source, so maybe that was your problem. I don't see how either of the other two ingredients you mention could turn to varnish, so the myrrh is the likely culprit.

Originally Posted by Pusaka

I wonder if some keris oils are made with the same care as cimande oil. Traditionally the recipe of the oil used in cimande Silat is a closely guarded secret. It is produced on one night a year and empowered by reciting sacred mantras into the oil. According to Ace Sutisna, one of the holders of the recipe “the oil in itself is not unusual, it is the mantra that brings it to life”

I would imagine they are, though i am not familar with cimande oil. The mantras may be a well guarded secret, but anyone with the desire and intuition should be capable of developing their own rituals and mantras capable of bringing their keris oil "to life". Like all things meant to have magickal intent in your life, it is best to create them yourself if you are capable, thus allowing you to create it to best suit you own needs and personality. Of course we can't always do this (if only i had the knowledge and skills to make my own keris.... ) but i would highly encourage those who have the inclination to make their own keris oils and empower them as they see fit.

[BSMStar]

You may all be aware, and this is not a traditional oil (in Keris circles)... Clove oil works very well, smells good and will not tarnish a steel blade.

[nechesh]

Originally Posted by BSMStar

You may all be aware, and this is not a traditional oil (in Keris circles)... Clove oil works very well, smells good and will not tarnish a steel blade.

Are you sure clove oil isn't corrosive???

[BluErf]

I think the traditional oil (choji) used to maintain japanese swords contains clove oil.

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by nechesh

Are you sure clove oil isn't corrosive???

i believe that the japanese have been using it to scent the oil they use on their daisho for a few centuries without ill effect. they use a few drops in mineral oil i think...

i bought a nice jar of coconut oil from boots (the chemist (pharmacy)) here a couple of years ago, still not rancid, i've used it on a few knives with reasonable results. where appropriate i use ballistol, which is a german developed general purpose cleaner/lubricant/protectant oil (mineral oil based) for guns, knives, and leather which has a pleasant scent, a bit like anise, but it does not keep the scent long. i don't use it on my malay/indonesian pamor blades though.

i recieved a couple of small bottles of keris oil along with my latest badek, when that runs out i'll get some essential oills from the bodyshop here & mix up some with the coconut oil....

[BSMStar]

Originally Posted by nechesh

Are you sure clove oil isn't corrosive???

The last bottle of sword oil I got out of Japan is identified as Clove Oil (it is the only English written on the bottle). It sure do smell like clove oil!

Japanese swords are real "finicky" as to what kind of oil you can put on them... some “everyday” machine oils can turn the blade dark - a disaster on an expensive Samurai blade (as well as... at over $100 per inch to re-polish plus shipping, and so on... you want to use the right stuff). Mineral oil is the oil of choice (on Japanese blades)... when lacking all others. But it does not have any odor.