Tombak Opinions Wanted

nechesh · 12th May 2006, 10:25 PM

Well, that explains alot. I was assuming your location based on your ebay address in Florida.
Believe me, i would gladly trade naked playmates for a corner mranggi any old day.

Yes, as you point out, there are a number of reasons why a U.S. collector might not want to ship a keris overseas for staining. For me the least of it would be the cost, though that is a factor. The staining service itself is cheap, but after tacking on round-trip postages and handling it's a pretty pricey process. But personally i am more concerned about getting my keris back in one piece if at all. There are all kinds of circumstances undr which it could be damaged or lost. Then there is the worry if one has an undiocumented ivory hilt, for instance. It may not make it back through U.S. customs.
The yearly cleaning party idea sounds interesting, but i think it might actually have a greater environmental impact if many keris are being cleaned in one place at the same time. As i said, i personal enjoy staining my own keris. It's not for everyone, i'm sure, but working with keris on this level has only increased my appreciation and knowledge of these blades. For those who are considering it i highly recommend that you start out on some low quality blades that you aren't too worried about. I was fortunate to get my hands on some that i really could only make better, since they were in pretty bad shape. Practice makes perfect..... or at least makes better.

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12th May 2006, 10:25 PM	#12
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Well, that explains alot. I was assuming your location based on your ebay address in Florida. Believe me, i would gladly trade naked playmates for a corner mranggi any old day. Yes, as you point out, there are a number of reasons why a U.S. collector might not want to ship a keris overseas for staining. For me the least of it would be the cost, though that is a factor. The staining service itself is cheap, but after tacking on round-trip postages and handling it's a pretty pricey process. But personally i am more concerned about getting my keris back in one piece if at all. There are all kinds of circumstances undr which it could be damaged or lost. Then there is the worry if one has an undiocumented ivory hilt, for instance. It may not make it back through U.S. customs. The yearly cleaning party idea sounds interesting, but i think it might actually have a greater environmental impact if many keris are being cleaned in one place at the same time. As i said, i personal enjoy staining my own keris. It's not for everyone, i'm sure, but working with keris on this level has only increased my appreciation and knowledge of these blades. For those who are considering it i highly recommend that you start out on some low quality blades that you aren't too worried about. I was fortunate to get my hands on some that i really could only make better, since they were in pretty bad shape. Practice makes perfect..... or at least makes better.