Metuk (Iras) as an indicator of quality

[kai]

Hello Kulino,

Looking at the two tumbaks posted, the one with metuk iras appears to be of finer quality then the one with separate metuk.

I'd love to hear Alan's take on your examples! I still suck at "reading" tombak blades and often enough have problems to establish from which island/culture they originate from...

Thus, do take my comments with a lump of salt:
All 4 seem to be nice examples with above average quality; I believe that the one without metuk once had one (no clear indications from the pesi though).

Based on the metuk of the 2 above, I'd agree that the iras example is of higher quality. I'm less sure about the blade/pamor quality though.

Regards,
Kai