A Flamberge Sword For Comments

[A. G. Maisey]

I have been under the impression for many years that correct terminology for a weapon with a waved blade is that this type of weapon has a "flamboyant" blade. Thus, a "flame-like" blade (Oxford).

A keris, spelt in any way but referring to the same type of weapon that sometimes has a waved blade, does have a flamboyant blade when it is waved.

But all weapons with flamboyant blades are certainly not keris, or even keris-like.

[Battara]

It depends on the tribe and the time period. Some do use "kris" and others use "sundang" among other terms for example.

[David]

Originally Posted by Battara

It depends on the tribe and the time period. Some do use "kris" and others use "sundang" among other terms for example.

Can you tell me what research this is based upon?

[Ian]

Originally Posted by efrahjalt

... Ian, Please tell me more about the significance of the central ridge.

Hi efrahjalt,

A central ridge is created on an initially straight blade, and then the waves (luk) are forged back and forth along its central axis (reflected by the ridge)—the central ridge thus becomes wavy during the forging process.

This is in contrast to stock removal. Again, one starts with a straight blade and a central ridge, but the waves are ground directly into the edge of the blade. In this case, the central ridge remains straight and the luk have a pointed appearance.

If a blade is forged from flat stock a central ridge is absent. This is probably the norm for most Moro kris, but some do have a central ridge.

Many wavy bladed knives and swords made elsewhere in the Philippines often have a central ridge. This is particularly true for those made in northern and central Luzon. Flat bladed, wavy swords are relatively uncommon from Luzon.