contrast in pamor

asomotif · 22nd July 2008, 12:39 AM

Sjors,

Agree with all the previous speakers. Do not restain.

I wish I could find a keris like yours nowadays.

In case you get bored with it, you can PM me

PenangsangII · 22nd July 2008, 05:00 AM

Alan, can the cleaning techniques be applied to other than balinese keris, say Javanese or Buginese or even Peninsula kerises. Will it get the same optimum effect?

A. G. Maisey · 22nd July 2008, 05:34 AM

No, you cannot change the nature of the material by using a different clean/stain technique, nor can you undo erosion to the surface by using the Balinese clean technique.

In very simple terms, the Balinese cleaning process is to a large degree mechanical, in that the blade is polished before it is stained, it is not just soaked in acid a la Javanese blades.The polished surface allows a cleaner definition between dark and light colour areas, which creates the impression of high contrast.

If you took a Javanese blade that had its surface eroded, and repolished it to a Balinese type surface, you would see a similar effect to the finish on a Balinese blade---but you might lose the lighter coloured pamor material along the way.

However, I repeat:- you cannot change the nature of the material. If the material is grey on grey, it will still be grey on grey after it is repolished.

sjors · 22nd July 2008, 06:08 AM

Gentlemen,

thank you for your elaborate answers. You made one thing very clear to me: no restaining !

Dear Ganjawulung and Mr. Maisey: thank you for your advices about the cleaning process.

@ asomotif: I'm afraid this keris is gonna stay a little bit longer at its present home

pakana · 22nd July 2008, 07:16 AM

Alan,

it's a question that maybe its a silly one but, when I clean my keris I don't clean the peksi as well. I just hold the keris from the hilt, and clean it. Is it a huge mistake?

george

A. G. Maisey · 22nd July 2008, 09:15 AM

What sort of cleaning are we talking about George?

Just a light maintenance clean, or a thorough clean preceding a stain that you expect to last for a very long time?

In any case, if it involves anything more than just a light brushing, it is best to demount the blade.

sjors · 22nd July 2008, 10:15 AM

Dear David,

I am pleased to be able to reassure you. It is not rust but dirt in the sogakan, (and a lot of it

)
regards, sjors

pakana · 22nd July 2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

What sort of cleaning are we talking about George?

Just a light maintenance clean, or a thorough clean preceding a stain that you expect to last for a very long time?

In any case, if it involves anything more than just a light brushing, it is best to demount the blade.

Hi Alan,

I was reffering to a simple cleaning with a toothbrush, and some soap, to get rid of the excess oil on the blade, and maybe to bright a little more the blade. Then oil it, and store it. Is it nesessery to clean the peksi too, and then oil it? I guess yes, but what do you think?

George

22nd July 2008, 12:39 AM	#1
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	Sjors, Agree with all the previous speakers. Do not restain. I wish I could find a keris like yours nowadays. In case you get bored with it, you can PM me

22nd July 2008, 05:00 AM	#2
PenangsangII Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 401	Alan, can the cleaning techniques be applied to other than balinese keris, say Javanese or Buginese or even Peninsula kerises. Will it get the same optimum effect?

22nd July 2008, 05:34 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,047	No, you cannot change the nature of the material by using a different clean/stain technique, nor can you undo erosion to the surface by using the Balinese clean technique. In very simple terms, the Balinese cleaning process is to a large degree mechanical, in that the blade is polished before it is stained, it is not just soaked in acid a la Javanese blades.The polished surface allows a cleaner definition between dark and light colour areas, which creates the impression of high contrast. If you took a Javanese blade that had its surface eroded, and repolished it to a Balinese type surface, you would see a similar effect to the finish on a Balinese blade---but you might lose the lighter coloured pamor material along the way. However, I repeat:- you cannot change the nature of the material. If the material is grey on grey, it will still be grey on grey after it is repolished.

22nd July 2008, 06:08 AM	#4
sjors Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 68	Gentlemen, thank you for your elaborate answers. You made one thing very clear to me: no restaining ! Dear Ganjawulung and Mr. Maisey: thank you for your advices about the cleaning process. @ asomotif: I'm afraid this keris is gonna stay a little bit longer at its present home

22nd July 2008, 07:16 AM	#5
pakana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 74	Alan, it's a question that maybe its a silly one but, when I clean my keris I don't clean the peksi as well. I just hold the keris from the hilt, and clean it. Is it a huge mistake? george

22nd July 2008, 09:15 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,047	What sort of cleaning are we talking about George? Just a light maintenance clean, or a thorough clean preceding a stain that you expect to last for a very long time? In any case, if it involves anything more than just a light brushing, it is best to demount the blade.

22nd July 2008, 10:15 AM	#7
sjors Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 68	Dear David, I am pleased to be able to reassure you. It is not rust but dirt in the sogakan, (and a lot of it ) regards, sjors