Keris Bahari?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by ariel

Thank you.
What is the numerical difference in length ( analogous to katana/wakizashi) that differentiates Panjang from Bahari? I always thought that panjang's blade is at least ~50 cm, that's why I called mine bahari.

Would you hazard a guess about the age and value ( not monetary!) of it?

Hello Ariel,

here a thread with some interesting informations regarding panjang/bahari: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=bahari
When you look in up of your thread, post #1, you don't have given a length from your keris and I have given my statement only from my visual impression. In the above given thread I show in post # 40 a keris with a blade length from only 36 cm which I personally still would call panjang. You will see keris in this thread which are clearly bahari keris.

Keris panjang are not so many time on the market and sought after but the keris you have bought by ebay (I have had it in my watch list) wasn't sold fast and I think that the pictures and and the strange stem or batang was the reason (at least for me). I am still think that the batang is a later addition.

But all this is my personal impression and believe and there are other much more knowledge members like BluErf or Alam Shah who will be able to tell you much more exact opinions about your keris.

Best regards,

Detlef

[ariel]

I checked the length of the blade alone: 18.5 inches or 47 cm.
Would it still qualify for K. Panjang?

[Rick]

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=bahari

Post #40
Keris on the right; I would call that a Bahari; 6 inches shorter would be in Anak-Alang territory, imo .

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=bahari

Post #40
Keris on the right; I would call that a Bahari; 6 inches shorter would be in Anak-Alang territory, imo .

Hello Rick,

with a slim blade like this? I am very unsure!

Regards,

Detlef

[ariel]

Folks,
I am confused: isn't there some kind of convention establishing borders between panjang, bahari and anak-alang in terms of their length?

[David]

Originally Posted by ariel

Folks,
I am confused: isn't there some kind of convention establishing borders between panjang, bahari and anak-alang in terms of their length?

Ariel, if you are looking for exact delineation lines between these 3 form you will not find them. Bahari is the short form (approx. 9-12 in.), anak alang is the medium form (approx. 14-17 in.) and panang is the long form (approx. 18-22 in.). There is always room for argument for blades that fall close to either form. At 18.5 inch though, i feel confident in saying that your keris is not a bahari. At that length i would call it a keris pajang though someone might say it is a longer anak alang.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by David

Ariel, if you are looking for exact delineation lines between these 3 form you will not find them. Bahari is the short form (approx. 9-12 in.), anak alang is the medium form (approx. 14-17 in.) and panang is the long form (approx. 18-22 in.). There is always room for argument for blades that fall close to either form. At 18.5 inch though, i feel confident in saying that your keris is not a bahari. At that length i would call it a keris pajang though someone might say it is a longer anak alang.

The classification given by David is commonly accepted but by no way universal nor guaranteed. I don't want to confuse the matter but just say that it may also be different in Sumatra and Malaysia respectively.
For those of you who are interested, you can refer to the Ensiklopedi Keris pages 64 & 87, and to the book "Keris and other Malay weapons" by Gerald B. Gardner pages 19, 21, 24, 25, 27, and 45. However I have to say that the information from these books is questionable and that again the correct names are not that important
The opinion from our Malaysian or Singapore members will be appreciated.
Regards

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by ariel

I checked the length of the blade alone: 18.5 inches or 47 cm.
Would it still qualify for K. Panjang?

Yes, think so!

Regards,

Detlef