Malela luk 5 for comment..

[PenangsangII]

IMO, the iron used is called "besi Malela" that originates from beach sand. I dont think the keris is pamored.

[David]

I agree that this probably isn't pamor that you are seeing. I think it might just be the layers of the blade revealed from years of cleanings.
Is it just the photos or does the gonjo look like different metal which isn't nearly as eroded. I wonder if it is a replacement.
Either way, a nice keris.

[Battara]

Blade almost looks Javanese made!

[parong sari]

this is a rare malela wich i say because the layer of the blade is not of aging, years of cleaning nor it is a pamor.. this blade has a "miang perak", which means the metal was forge with silver in a way that the result is as what we see in the pics..

[PenangsangII]

And the ganja wulung type reminds me of bapak Ganjawulung.... Long time no hear Pak Ganja.....

[A. G. Maisey]

It is always quite difficult to comment on material from a photo. You really need to touch it, and turn the blade all around so that you can see exactly what the smith was doing when he forged it. However, based on what I can see in the photo, and assuming that an all-round inspection would not deliver any surprises, my guess is that a piece of very fibrous wrought iron has been welded with one or more other types of wrought iron to provide sufficient material to forge a blade without a core. I'd say that when the smith was finished he was probably a bit disappointed with the result, because instead of getting a blade with a nice consistent quality throughout, the fibrous iron had surfaced in a number of places, even on the edges, where it would most definitely not have been wanted.

Yes, to a present day collector this is an unusual blade and to a present day collector that probably makes it somewhat desirable, however, from the point of view of quality of fabrication, I'm afraid this blade just doesn't make it.

It is definitely not a Javanese blade.

[parong sari]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

It is always quite difficult to comment on material from a photo. You really need to touch it, and turn the blade all around so that you can see exactly what the smith was doing when he forged it. However, based on what I can see in the photo, and assuming that an all-round inspection would not deliver any surprises, my guess is that a piece of very fibrous wrought iron has been welded with one or more other types of wrought iron to provide sufficient material to forge a blade without a core. I'd say that when the smith was finished he was probably a bit disappointed with the result, because instead of getting a blade with a nice consistent quality throughout, the fibrous iron had surfaced in a number of places, even on the edges, where it would most definitely not have been wanted.

Yes, to a present day collector this is an unusual blade and to a present day collector that probably makes it somewhat desirable, however, from the point of view of quality of fabrication, I'm afraid this blade just doesn't make it.

It is definitely not a Javanese blade.

ofcourse this is not one of those 'javanese' blades that are forged NOT for fighting purposes but FOR display only.. that is the main difference between kerises from indonesian region and malaysian region.. just imagin some group of gunsmiths making pistols which is not for firing purposes, would they know what is really good for making a good pistol? maybe the can do some fancy design but i don't think they have any clue about persicions?

so no offence, after going through this forum, most of you guys only have knowledge about kerises from indonesia but i think you guys are clueless on when it comes to malaysian kerises.. which definately means none of you guys know on how to use it, or even the techniques of holding it, far more from learning the art of keris.. in the old days, kerises were not judge by the material or pamour, and not even the misticism behind it, but by the practicality and suitiblity to the owner. but YES, to a present day collector the pamor, design and solidness that matters..

and judging a keris by the molecular structure and saying it is not solid enough is the most ridicoulus thing i ever heard.. for instance, if you say this malela is not strong enough, let me thrust it to your belly button.. my point is don't judge a keris by its solidness because it is not forged to be used like a samurai or a sword where one uses it to block other weapons attack, because it doesn't!!

no offence again, but this is just my opinion after teaching silat and the art of kerises for twenty years.. and i personally don't favour kerises which are not forged for fighting.. hey, what's the point of having one then?? for collection maybe??

[David]

Originally Posted by parong sari

this is a rare malela wich i say because the layer of the blade is not of aging, years of cleaning nor it is a pamor.. this blade has a "miang perak", which means the metal was forge with silver in a way that the result is as what we see in the pics..

Sorry for missing your first post and not welcoming you to the forum Parong Sari.
On what do you base your assertion that this blade is forged with silver? It doesn't seem clear from the pictures. Have you handled this keris?

[Alam Shah]

A single line description of the piece would be,
Keris Malela Terengganu, Luk 5, Miang Perak...

Imho, besi malela when mixed with miang perak, weakens the structure of the blade. With the architecture of the malela's fullers, the blade strength weakens. You'll still get a lightweight blade... but.

Although unique, this is not a common practice for malela blade, afaik.
For malela blades, the metal is more 'compacted', thus enhancing its strength. Newer pieces tend to be nicely sculpted but the material, less compact.

[PenangsangII]

I always thought besi malela (not keris malela) is the type of iron that had a lot of impurities i.e. crystalite or sylvery looks, and considered as less preferrable choice in making keris.