Proper Bali Grip?

Rick · 13th December 2006, 12:12 AM

Well, I took a trip through Tammens and found a relatively consistent range of sizes . Unfortunately Tammens does not even guess at the age of the hilts shown but there seem to be essentially two sizes; 10-12 cm. and 14-16 cm.

You both are correct that my version of the Jawa grip is inefficient for these blades; and the blade example I used to illustrate was of the humped ganja style thus enhancing any chance of acheiving the Jawa grip.

This brings me to another question; why are not Bali keris more securely attached to their grips?
I realise that as a collector my keris grips would be more loosely attached to prevent splitting or damaging the handles; but what about in real conditions; what about blade twist during use?

One would think that without the stabilising effect of the hand in the Jawa style grip that the Bali keris would have gone the way of the Moro pieces; into a flattened tang to prevent twist.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

13th December 2006, 12:12 AM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Well, I took a trip through Tammens and found a relatively consistent range of sizes . Unfortunately Tammens does not even guess at the age of the hilts shown but there seem to be essentially two sizes; 10-12 cm. and 14-16 cm. You both are correct that my version of the Jawa grip is inefficient for these blades; and the blade example I used to illustrate was of the humped ganja style thus enhancing any chance of acheiving the Jawa grip. This brings me to another question; why are not Bali keris more securely attached to their grips? I realise that as a collector my keris grips would be more loosely attached to prevent splitting or damaging the handles; but what about in real conditions; what about blade twist during use? One would think that without the stabilising effect of the hand in the Jawa style grip that the Bali keris would have gone the way of the Moro pieces; into a flattened tang to prevent twist.