What is this ?

kai · 2nd November 2007, 12:59 AM

Hello Alan,

Sorry forgot to reply earlier: This seems to be a high-contrast pamor and I'd tend to stain this with arsenic, especially if assuming an origin from Lombok, etc. This is quite an art in and of itself but several people got reasonable results: search for warangan as well as arsenic on the fora here to get you started. It's not as difficult as it sounds (correct staining of keris Jawa being another matter) and you can always go back if you don't like the result.

You could also try to stain the blade with hot vinegar (another search here...) which will result in a more subdued contrast. This would be probably the kind of finish to be expected from northern Sumatra. Ferric chloride would be another, non-traditional resort but this can cause excessive corrosion if not handled correctly. In my experience either waranngan or vinegar are the way to go with vast majority of SE Asian blades...

Regards,
Kai

Alan62 · 4th November 2007, 02:53 PM

Thanks Kai

josh stout · 10th November 2007, 03:24 PM

Just in reference to the "spiral formation" mentioned in the first post. It is a batu lapak or saddle stone, supposedly a sort of magical imprint of the smith's thumb in the steel. The pamor batu lapak is said to be able to protect the owner in times of chaos, especially in warfare.
Josh

Oops, I just noticed the previous post calling the spiral formation something else. I hope there is someone who can resolve this discrepancy. My knowledge of the subject is not very deep.

Alan62 · 13th November 2007, 01:02 PM

Thanks Josh ,Hopefully someone will help clarify

2nd November 2007, 12:59 AM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Alan, Sorry forgot to reply earlier: This seems to be a high-contrast pamor and I'd tend to stain this with arsenic, especially if assuming an origin from Lombok, etc. This is quite an art in and of itself but several people got reasonable results: search for warangan as well as arsenic on the fora here to get you started. It's not as difficult as it sounds (correct staining of keris Jawa being another matter) and you can always go back if you don't like the result. You could also try to stain the blade with hot vinegar (another search here...) which will result in a more subdued contrast. This would be probably the kind of finish to be expected from northern Sumatra. Ferric chloride would be another, non-traditional resort but this can cause excessive corrosion if not handled correctly. In my experience either waranngan or vinegar are the way to go with vast majority of SE Asian blades... Regards, Kai

4th November 2007, 02:53 PM	#2
Alan62 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 164	Thanks Kai

10th November 2007, 03:24 PM	#3
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	Just in reference to the "spiral formation" mentioned in the first post. It is a batu lapak or saddle stone, supposedly a sort of magical imprint of the smith's thumb in the steel. The pamor batu lapak is said to be able to protect the owner in times of chaos, especially in warfare. Josh Oops, I just noticed the previous post calling the spiral formation something else. I hope there is someone who can resolve this discrepancy. My knowledge of the subject is not very deep.

13th November 2007, 01:02 PM	#4
Alan62 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 164	Thanks Josh ,Hopefully someone will help clarify