Moro Kris Maybe? need information please

MrLyon101 · 31st July 2012, 08:51 PM

I inherited the kirs from my grandfather's father who fought in the phill. war. it had some rust issues. i used a double ot steel wool to remove alot of the rust. i hear vinegar can help as well. i would like some ideas on how to get the rest off if anyone can help. and if anyone can help me with identifying this sword and spear and what people think of them would help. thanks for the feedback!!

Battara · 1st August 2012, 08:07 PM

Yes this is a Moro kris. Probably Sulu in origin. What is very nice is that the blade is has a twist core steel center section. Very desirable.

The other piece in the picture is a budiak, a type of Moro spear. Would you show close ups of the blade on that too?

Spunjer · 1st August 2012, 08:22 PM

Beautiful kris and budiak, mr lyons! If you do apply vinegar, make sure you neutralize it after with baking soda.

ThePepperSkull · 1st August 2012, 08:34 PM

I echo the sentiments of the previous two members: Wonderful Moro pieces you have there.

I have owned/handled older, more dimnutive Sulu twistcore pieces and newer monosteel Sulu pieces. However, in person, I have yet to encounter a Sulu twistcore from this era of manufacture from in between. Very nice piece! I am green with envy, sir!

kai · 1st August 2012, 11:07 PM

Welcome and congrats! These kris are addictive though...

I also believe this is a Sulu kris (kalis seko) from around the turn of the (19th) century. Really a neat twistcore blade and also the round pommel (bunti wood) is a rare feature! Only the remaining grip wrap may not be original - maybe a makeshift repair. I'd consider to have it wrapped in traditional braided and "lacquered" style. The blade certainly deserves a careful etch: a little diluted vinegar (keep repeatedly working with a plastic brush) will take care of any remining rust and a following etch with hot vinegar may be enough to enhance the pattern; the result will be traditional - maybe kinda subdued though. You may also want to try a ferric chloride etch (neutralizing much more important with this approach) or other approaches to get a more bold pattern (I'd recommend vinegar first which is much safer). Please try the search function with kris and, as the second keyword, vingar or ferric, respectively; that should get you to several threads with detailed info. Please ask if you need any additional info!

Just need to be the first on record with this plea: If you ever decide to part with this kris, please be so kind and let me know!

As mentioned, it's well possible that the budiak also has twistcore - if it doesn't show any visible pattern already, some hot water may bring out the laminations enough to verify their pattern. With a few close-ups we can work from there...

Regards,
Kai

MrLyon101 · 2nd August 2012, 12:45 AM

First and for most i want to thank everyone for the information you have all provided. it has helped me learn more about the moro culture. i ask. i have noticed that there are more kriss that have a longer straight tip ( mine is more wavey) is that a common practice for a straight tip? From what i see it looks to be all one siece of steel. the blade and shaft come apart. there is alot of rust i havnt gotten to yet but the vinegar tips have helped with the kris.

ThePepperSkull · 2nd August 2012, 10:17 AM

I agree with kai on all ends, except for one important detail.

...If you decide to let go of this piece, you should let ME know first

(Eh, it was worth a shot)

Seriously thought, both are very gorgeous pieces. Any information about them reagrding dimensions? How long is the blade on that twistcore?

Dimasalang · 4th August 2012, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLyon101

I inherited the kirs from my grandfather's father who fought in the phill. war.!

You have any more info on your great-grandfathers exploits in the Philippines? What branch, which units, or where he was stationed?

Typically a lot of battles and skirmishes were documented.

MrLyon101 · 4th August 2012, 02:03 AM

His journal is in the kansas history museum. its hard trying to track it down but doing research now on this. hope to hear back soon from the museum

31st July 2012, 08:51 PM	#1
MrLyon101 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 17	Moro Kris Maybe? need information please I inherited the kirs from my grandfather's father who fought in the phill. war. it had some rust issues. i used a double ot steel wool to remove alot of the rust. i hear vinegar can help as well. i would like some ideas on how to get the rest off if anyone can help. and if anyone can help me with identifying this sword and spear and what people think of them would help. thanks for the feedback!! Attached Images

2nd August 2012, 12:45 AM	#6
MrLyon101 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 17	thank you everyone so far. First and for most i want to thank everyone for the information you have all provided. it has helped me learn more about the moro culture. i ask. i have noticed that there are more kriss that have a longer straight tip ( mine is more wavey) is that a common practice for a straight tip? From what i see it looks to be all one siece of steel. the blade and shaft come apart. there is alot of rust i havnt gotten to yet but the vinegar tips have helped with the kris. Attached Images

1st August 2012, 08:07 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	Yes this is a Moro kris. Probably Sulu in origin. What is very nice is that the blade is has a twist core steel center section. Very desirable. The other piece in the picture is a budiak, a type of Moro spear. Would you show close ups of the blade on that too?

1st August 2012, 08:22 PM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Beautiful kris and budiak, mr lyons! If you do apply vinegar, make sure you neutralize it after with baking soda.

1st August 2012, 08:34 PM	#4
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	I echo the sentiments of the previous two members: Wonderful Moro pieces you have there. I have owned/handled older, more dimnutive Sulu twistcore pieces and newer monosteel Sulu pieces. However, in person, I have yet to encounter a Sulu twistcore from this era of manufacture from in between. Very nice piece! I am green with envy, sir!

1st August 2012, 11:07 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Welcome and congrats! These kris are addictive though... I also believe this is a Sulu kris (kalis seko) from around the turn of the (19th) century. Really a neat twistcore blade and also the round pommel (bunti wood) is a rare feature! Only the remaining grip wrap may not be original - maybe a makeshift repair. I'd consider to have it wrapped in traditional braided and "lacquered" style. The blade certainly deserves a careful etch: a little diluted vinegar (keep repeatedly working with a plastic brush) will take care of any remining rust and a following etch with hot vinegar may be enough to enhance the pattern; the result will be traditional - maybe kinda subdued though. You may also want to try a ferric chloride etch (neutralizing much more important with this approach) or other approaches to get a more bold pattern (I'd recommend vinegar first which is much safer). Please try the search function with kris and, as the second keyword, vingar or ferric, respectively; that should get you to several threads with detailed info. Please ask if you need any additional info! Just need to be the first on record with this plea: If you ever decide to part with this kris, please be so kind and let me know! As mentioned, it's well possible that the budiak also has twistcore - if it doesn't show any visible pattern already, some hot water may bring out the laminations enough to verify their pattern. With a few close-ups we can work from there... Regards, Kai

2nd August 2012, 10:17 AM	#7
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	I agree with kai on all ends, except for one important detail. ...If you decide to let go of this piece, you should let ME know first (Eh, it was worth a shot) Seriously thought, both are very gorgeous pieces. Any information about them reagrding dimensions? How long is the blade on that twistcore?

4th August 2012, 02:03 AM	#9
MrLyon101 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 17	His journal is in the kansas history museum. its hard trying to track it down but doing research now on this. hope to hear back soon from the museum