3 Balinese 'working' kerises

BluErf · 5th December 2004, 06:25 AM

3rd one.

BluErf · 5th December 2004, 06:26 AM

Group pic.

nechesh · 5th December 2004, 04:11 PM

I don't know, Kai Wee, the dress are nothing spectacular (though i've always been fond of those "accordian hilts and that's nice timoho), but the blades are all pretty solid and certainly nothing i wouldn't be happy to have in my own collection. Personally, i've always found some of the more high-end jewel studded and gold Bali dresses a bit too gaudy for my tastes (oh, maybe i would like to own just one

) Push come to shove it's always the blade that's important for me. I've seen a ton of over dressed mediocre blades selling for way too much money. If these were mine i would look into finding some higher end uwers (mendaks) for them. You'd be surprised (or maybe not) just how much nicer it can make a good keris in a plain dress look.

BluErf · 6th December 2004, 02:16 PM

Heh... doesn't that sound like people too? People with lots of money, but poor character, and people with great character, but a bit lacking in the cash department. heheheh

I guess we are first and foremost blade guys. The trimmings can always be added later with a bit of patience and research. The blade -- now that's the tough one because no one makes them the way they used to.

The 1st keris is a keris pedang and has notches and nicks on the forward-facing top one-third of the edge. Light yet very strong, it has always struck me as a fighting blade, right down to the animal (horse?) hair braiding on the hilt. Its a really firm grip.

The 2nd keris is probably the youngest of the 3 blades. Its light, but I don't feel so confident about its strength. Its got a great spine and all the perabots and deep grooves, but the piece has a very 'slightly awkward' feel to it. The lines don't flow as well as the last piece.

The last keris was covered in rust when I found it. Its a real biter. It bit me so many times when I tried to clean it and there are many rust spots that are so deep and stubborn that I have no way of removing them without taking away the beautiful dapur. This blade has some heft to it, and I suspect would make as good a slasher as a thruster. Its tempered halfway down the blade! A first for my Balinese keris collection. The dapur is also the most refined. I think this will be the 1st keris that I'll start putting gold pendok back on. I just need more examples and good pictures.

nechesh · 6th December 2004, 10:06 PM

I agree, the last one is the nicest of the three. You might want to consider really giving it a good cleaning to remove the deep seated rust and then having it restained to raise the pamor again. The pattern will probably rise much clearer than it is now. Probably not anywhere near #2, but it should get clearer. Then you can get that gold ready.

#1 and #3 look 19th century, but #2 looks like it could be mid 20thC. I think it may have been made more as a looker than a fighter.

5th December 2004, 06:25 AM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	3rd one. Attached Images

5th December 2004, 06:26 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Group pic. Attached Images

5th December 2004, 04:11 PM	#3
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	I don't know, Kai Wee, the dress are nothing spectacular (though i've always been fond of those "accordian hilts and that's nice timoho), but the blades are all pretty solid and certainly nothing i wouldn't be happy to have in my own collection. Personally, i've always found some of the more high-end jewel studded and gold Bali dresses a bit too gaudy for my tastes (oh, maybe i would like to own just one ) Push come to shove it's always the blade that's important for me. I've seen a ton of over dressed mediocre blades selling for way too much money. If these were mine i would look into finding some higher end uwers (mendaks) for them. You'd be surprised (or maybe not) just how much nicer it can make a good keris in a plain dress look.

6th December 2004, 02:16 PM	#4
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Heh... doesn't that sound like people too? People with lots of money, but poor character, and people with great character, but a bit lacking in the cash department. heheheh I guess we are first and foremost blade guys. The trimmings can always be added later with a bit of patience and research. The blade -- now that's the tough one because no one makes them the way they used to. The 1st keris is a keris pedang and has notches and nicks on the forward-facing top one-third of the edge. Light yet very strong, it has always struck me as a fighting blade, right down to the animal (horse?) hair braiding on the hilt. Its a really firm grip. The 2nd keris is probably the youngest of the 3 blades. Its light, but I don't feel so confident about its strength. Its got a great spine and all the perabots and deep grooves, but the piece has a very 'slightly awkward' feel to it. The lines don't flow as well as the last piece. The last keris was covered in rust when I found it. Its a real biter. It bit me so many times when I tried to clean it and there are many rust spots that are so deep and stubborn that I have no way of removing them without taking away the beautiful dapur. This blade has some heft to it, and I suspect would make as good a slasher as a thruster. Its tempered halfway down the blade! A first for my Balinese keris collection. The dapur is also the most refined. I think this will be the 1st keris that I'll start putting gold pendok back on. I just need more examples and good pictures.

6th December 2004, 10:06 PM	#5
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	I agree, the last one is the nicest of the three. You might want to consider really giving it a good cleaning to remove the deep seated rust and then having it restained to raise the pamor again. The pattern will probably rise much clearer than it is now. Probably not anywhere near #2, but it should get clearer. Then you can get that gold ready. #1 and #3 look 19th century, but #2 looks like it could be mid 20thC. I think it may have been made more as a looker than a fighter.