Kris pommel attachment

JeffS · 19th August 2024, 07:27 AM

Hello. I am working on an old kris, and find the pommel is attached by pins (old work). Is this common? I am also curious about the divot that has been cut into the plug. Since the plug fits flush, the divot could be there to hold a small object (talisman?).

Interested Party · 19th August 2024, 05:39 PM

It could also be to relieve stresses in the wood to lessen cracking as it dries. How deep does it go?

Battara · 20th August 2024, 01:03 AM

Yes Jeff this is common. Some kris even have pommels that have several holes due to several refittings.

Ian · 20th August 2024, 03:15 AM

Voids in pommels seem to be reasonably common also.

Interested Party · 20th August 2024, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Yes Jeff this is common. Some kris even have pommels that have several holes due to several refittings.

Are you saying that the pommel was stabilized by a peg on the longitudinal axis at one point in its life?

xasterix · 21st August 2024, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interested Party

Are you saying that the pommel was stabilized by a peg on the longitudinal axis at one point in its life?

In my experience...there's usually something like that, yes. Wooden peg, nail... the most unique that I've encountered was a small bone splinter. And it isn't just in Krises, repaired kampilans also have a peg of some sort.

Battara · 2nd September 2024, 05:35 AM

Totally agree with Xasterix.

19th August 2024, 07:27 AM	#1
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 345	Kris pommel attachment Hello. I am working on an old kris, and find the pommel is attached by pins (old work). Is this common? I am also curious about the divot that has been cut into the plug. Since the plug fits flush, the divot could be there to hold a small object (talisman?). Attached Images

19th August 2024, 05:39 PM	#2
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 471	It could also be to relieve stresses in the wood to lessen cracking as it dries. How deep does it go?

20th August 2024, 01:03 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Yes Jeff this is common. Some kris even have pommels that have several holes due to several refittings.

20th August 2024, 03:15 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,202	Voids in pommels seem to be reasonably common also.

2nd September 2024, 05:35 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Totally agree with Xasterix.