Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Two Sumatran keris panjang of kapit construction

Gustav · 3rd March 2011, 10:55 PM

For those, who like me don't know the meaning of terminus Kapit, I have found in the archives these posts about Kapit construction:

DAHenkel
Senior Member posted 08-27-2002 20:35
Kapit is a Malay word that literally means to squeeze or press. The keris mata kapit is, as far as I know, a Pattani blade that is made from two pieces. The lower or dapur section is cut laterally to accept the upper portion of the blade. These are then usually pinned into place. I've only seen a few of these and I understand that they are very rare. I had posted pictures of my own example on the forum, unfortunately the pictures aren't loading. Perhaps Lee can restore these? Otherwise I will have to re-send them.

MpuSombro
Member posted 08-27-2002 23:46
You are perfectly right, DAHenkel. That`s the keris I was talking about. You`re right too, Paul. It is a medium short keris that looks like a keris Sula,penyalang. DAHenkel, since you own this kind of keris and you are a man of Malay keris, I would appreciate if you could tell me [function] why such keris was made in this form?

DAHenkel
Senior Member posted 08-28-2002 04:35
Actually I don't really know why these particular keris were made that way. Probably a variant on the trusty cuff weld - different composition metals for different performance at different parts of the blade. It's an attractive design too so its possible that these were done for aesthetic reasons as well. Another reason might have been to mount an old blade tip - perhaps a European sword - in keris form. Its possible all of these were valid reasons for doing it. My guess is as good as yours.

3rd March 2011, 10:55 PM	#8
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	For those, who like me don't know the meaning of terminus Kapit, I have found in the archives these posts about Kapit construction: DAHenkel Senior Member posted 08-27-2002 20:35 Kapit is a Malay word that literally means to squeeze or press. The keris mata kapit is, as far as I know, a Pattani blade that is made from two pieces. The lower or dapur section is cut laterally to accept the upper portion of the blade. These are then usually pinned into place. I've only seen a few of these and I understand that they are very rare. I had posted pictures of my own example on the forum, unfortunately the pictures aren't loading. Perhaps Lee can restore these? Otherwise I will have to re-send them. MpuSombro Member posted 08-27-2002 23:46 You are perfectly right, DAHenkel. That`s the keris I was talking about. You`re right too, Paul. It is a medium short keris that looks like a keris Sula,penyalang. DAHenkel, since you own this kind of keris and you are a man of Malay keris, I would appreciate if you could tell me [function] why such keris was made in this form? DAHenkel Senior Member posted 08-28-2002 04:35 Actually I don't really know why these particular keris were made that way. Probably a variant on the trusty cuff weld - different composition metals for different performance at different parts of the blade. It's an attractive design too so its possible that these were done for aesthetic reasons as well. Another reason might have been to mount an old blade tip - perhaps a European sword - in keris form. Its possible all of these were valid reasons for doing it. My guess is as good as yours.