New Moro kris

[apolaki]

Hi, can anyone share opinions & possible origins about this moro kris based on its style and form?

[kai]

There is a separating line that seems to be real rather than merely engraved. From the pic, I can't see how the angled part is designed. Larger pics would be needed for verification and estimation of age. Dimensions would be good to have, too.

The blade probably is Maguindanao; the hilt might point towards the upper Cota Bato region.

Regards,
Kai

[Ian]

I agree with Kai. A Maguindanao example, but age is hard to tell. The blade needs a good clean. Looks as though you have some active rust in places that needs prompt attention. Etching the blade might show a nice pattern but hard to say from its present appearance. Look forward to seeing more pics after you've had a chance to work on it a bit.
Regards, Ian.

[apolaki]

Hi Kai & Ian,

Thank you for your comments. Can you both reference a tutorial how to clean rust and general cleaning for Moro kris? Unfortunately, I am a beginner collector and don't have much experience at all with that nor etching.

Perhaps there is some links to videos or prior posts on instructions.

Also what details on the blade indicate active rust and how long would it take to cause irreparable damage?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Ian

I agree with Kai. A Maguindanao example, but age is hard to tell. The blade needs a good clean. Looks as though you have some active rust in places that needs prompt attention. Etching the blade might show a nice pattern but hard to say from its present appearance. Look forward to seeing more pics after you've had a chance to work on it a bit.
Regards, Ian.

[kai]

No worries, it survived about 100 years and if you keep any humidity low, rust will progress only slowly. However, any red rust (and many metallurgists will probably extend that to all kind of iron oxides) should be removed as thoroughly as possible.

It's much easier to work on the blade if you can detach it - however, this can get quite tricky with Moro kris due to the clamps. Otherwise a lot of care is needed to work around the clamps at the base of the blade and to avoid soaking the hilt...

As a first step, I'd vote for scrubbing the blade with very fine steel wool; wash with detergent and hot water. This often will be enough to bring out some laminations. There probably will be some more stubborn patches of rust which can be targeted with repeated application of vinegar (2-10% acetic acid); also polishing steps can help between the etching attempts.

Bring on some pics from during the prozess for further suggestions.

Regards,
Kai

[apolaki]

Hi Kai,

I was thinking of trying to submerge the blade alone in a vertical container of vinegar. Of course I would wrap the hilt and try not to get any on it in the process.

I am cleaning a heavily rusted Indonesian keris with vinegar bath and it is working great!

I was wondering, is the hilt of a Moro kris not removeable by simply twisting off? Are the clamps securing it in some way?

Thanks again for your insight!

Originally Posted by kai

No worries, it survived about 100 years and if you keep any humidity low, rust will progress only slowly. However, any red rust (and many metallurgists will probably extend that to all kind of iron oxides) should be removed as thoroughly as possible.

It's much easier to work on the blade if you can detach it - however, this can get quite tricky with Moro kris due to the clamps. Otherwise a lot of care is needed to work around the clamps at the base of the blade and to avoid soaking the hilt...

As a first step, I'd vote for scrubbing the blade with very fine steel wool; wash with detergent and hot water. This often will be enough to bring out some laminations. There probably will be some more stubborn patches of rust which can be targeted with repeated application of vinegar (2-10% acetic acid); also polishing steps can help between the etching attempts.

Bring on some pics from during the prozess for further suggestions.

Regards,
Kai