Fighting with keris

Pusaka · 8th September 2006, 01:57 AM

I wish I could find Pendekar Steven Benitez keris jurus, he is very skilled with the keris and moves in a completely different manner.

David · 8th September 2006, 02:15 AM

Pusaka, thanks for finding these videos. I find it odd to see so many slashing moves made with the keris in this footage. They seem counter-productive to the manner in which the blade is designed to work as a stabbing weapon. Frankly it mostly seems to be for show. Most keris are not edge sharp enough to make these moves worthwhile and the tang is not secured to the hilt well enough to allow too much full contact with these slashing moves.

Rick · 8th September 2006, 02:19 AM

It would be interesting to see Pusaka.

As German Field Marshall Helmuth von Moltke said ; no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy; or something along those lines.

For instance I observe no use of the scabbard as a main gauche guard even though we are told that is a function.

Best

Rick

Lew · 8th September 2006, 03:18 AM

Hey Guys

I fought with my lastest keris last week

. I took it out of the box and showed it to my wife and you should have been there to see the fight

Lew

David · 8th September 2006, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Hey Guys

I fought with my lastest keris last week

. I took it out of the box and showed it to my wife and you should have been there to see the fight

Lew

Ah Lew, you don't want to be fightin' with the missus. I've talked to her on the phone and she seems like a fine lady. Just box that keris back up and send it over to me....my wife and i are overdue anyway.

Battara · 8th September 2006, 08:35 PM

My wife is wonderful.

She can defend herself alright.
That is why I collect bladed weaponry (self-defense

).

Like the demos - thank you.

Pusaka · 8th September 2006, 11:52 PM

One thing to remember is that in battle the keris blades were often laced with frog poison so even a small cut would result in death whether it be from a stabbing or slashing movement.

“The dagger, called Cris ('keris') a blade measuring 2 palms in length, is made of fine steel; it bears a deadly poison”
http://www.sabrizain.demon.co.uk/malaya/johor3.htm

"The blade is like a snake in mid-strike. In the old days, the blade would be dipped in poison to assure certain death with the slightest stab",

http://www.nikhef.nl/~tonvr/keris/ke...ay_kris03.html

David · 9th September 2006, 02:17 AM

Well, i wll say that i found questionable infomation in both these articles which makes me wonder at the validity of these reports of poison dipped blades.That doesn't necessarily make it not so, but it does make the information suspect in my eyes. Both these writers are operating from a perspective outside the culture which also allows for misunderstandings to take place. Anyway, both these reports seem to be about the supposed customs of the Malay peninsula, when i believe the question at hand is really the customs of Jawa in regards to the keris. I have not heard any stories relating to the use of poison on Javanese keris or Balinese or Madurese keris for that matter, though they may be out there. I would like to hear more about this, but up until now i have always assumed these tales of poison laced Malay keris to be a Western misconception. Does anyone have any more information on this?

8th September 2006, 01:57 AM	#1
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	I wish I could find Pendekar Steven Benitez keris jurus, he is very skilled with the keris and moves in a completely different manner.

8th September 2006, 02:15 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Pusaka, thanks for finding these videos. I find it odd to see so many slashing moves made with the keris in this footage. They seem counter-productive to the manner in which the blade is designed to work as a stabbing weapon. Frankly it mostly seems to be for show. Most keris are not edge sharp enough to make these moves worthwhile and the tang is not secured to the hilt well enough to allow too much full contact with these slashing moves.

8th September 2006, 02:19 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	It would be interesting to see Pusaka. As German Field Marshall Helmuth von Moltke said ; no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy; or something along those lines. For instance I observe no use of the scabbard as a main gauche guard even though we are told that is a function. Best Rick

8th September 2006, 03:18 AM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hey Guys I fought with my lastest keris last week . I took it out of the box and showed it to my wife and you should have been there to see the fight Lew

8th September 2006, 08:35 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,346	My wife is wonderful. She can defend herself alright. That is why I collect bladed weaponry (self-defense ). Like the demos - thank you.

8th September 2006, 11:52 PM	#7
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	One thing to remember is that in battle the keris blades were often laced with frog poison so even a small cut would result in death whether it be from a stabbing or slashing movement. “The dagger, called Cris ('keris') a blade measuring 2 palms in length, is made of fine steel; it bears a deadly poison” http://www.sabrizain.demon.co.uk/malaya/johor3.htm "The blade is like a snake in mid-strike. In the old days, the blade would be dipped in poison to assure certain death with the slightest stab", http://www.nikhef.nl/~tonvr/keris/ke...ay_kris03.html

9th September 2006, 02:17 AM	#8
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Well, i wll say that i found questionable infomation in both these articles which makes me wonder at the validity of these reports of poison dipped blades.That doesn't necessarily make it not so, but it does make the information suspect in my eyes. Both these writers are operating from a perspective outside the culture which also allows for misunderstandings to take place. Anyway, both these reports seem to be about the supposed customs of the Malay peninsula, when i believe the question at hand is really the customs of Jawa in regards to the keris. I have not heard any stories relating to the use of poison on Javanese keris or Balinese or Madurese keris for that matter, though they may be out there. I would like to hear more about this, but up until now i have always assumed these tales of poison laced Malay keris to be a Western misconception. Does anyone have any more information on this?