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VANDOO · 24th January 2011, 10:41 PM

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

THE KERIS HANDLE IS TRADITIONALLY LEFT LOOSE WITH PERHAPS A CORD WRAPPED AROUND THE PESKI (TANG) THAT GOES INTO THE HANDLE TO SECURE IT. TRADITIONALY IT IS NOT GLUED, NAILED OR SCREWED ON SO IF IT HAS NOT BEEN GLUED BY SOMEONE THE HANDLE SHOULD BE EASY TO REMOVE AND RE ATTACH AFTER CLEANING THE BLADE. AS SUGESTED JUST TWIST IT BACK AND FORTH AND SEE IF IT LOSENS UP AND WILL COME OFF. GOOD LUCK

amiles · 25th January 2011, 02:26 PM

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Interesting that the sheath opening has been made smaller - I hadn't noticed that before.

Feeling more confident from your suggestions I gave the hilt a tweak this morning and it came off easily enough. The blade is now soaking in pineapple juice. I'll post another picture of the blade once it's clean, in case anything more is clear then.

Thanks again,

Andy

GIO · 25th January 2011, 06:18 PM

It is my opinion too that the hilt must be removed before cleaning the blade.
I always clean also the peksi (tang) to prevent an over - rusting, and remove the gangia to eliminate rust which forms between the gangia and the upper part of the blade. At the end I apply, on the tang only, an anti-rust varnish.
To conclude, considering the condition of the blade, I am afraid the pinapple juce will not do so much (but I never tried this method) I normally use either elecrolitic cleaning or bio-deruster. In some cases, but with great care, also a solution of phosforic acid.

David · 25th January 2011, 08:51 PM

I am afraid i disargee Gio. Pineapple juice will clean this keris just fine. Perhaps not as fast as your methods, but it is a very effective slow acting acid. This blade does not seem to be so far gone as you seem to think.

A. G. Maisey · 26th January 2011, 02:44 AM

I first used pineapple juice to clean a keris blade in about 1955.

I used it because I had read that coconut water should be used to remove rust from a keris blade, and I could not get coconut water.

Since 1955 I've done a few blades with pineapple juice, and I consider it to be better than coconut water, which I have also used.

I agree that there are many possible ways in which to remove rust from a keris blade, however, pineapple juice does work very well.

amiles · 29th January 2011, 02:28 PM

I've now cleaned and oiled the blade, which has made a huge difference (see photos). This took about three days of soaking in pineapple juice, with occasional brushing with a tooth brush and the use of a dental pick to carefully remove some of the bigger bits of rust. I'm so pleased I did it - the blade looks so much better, so thanks for all your advice.

Is anyone able to hazard a guess as to it's age?

Many thanks,

Andy

David · 29th January 2011, 05:12 PM

I don't usually hazard guesses on age, but i feel confident that your blade is an old one. Now that it is cleaned i think i will agree with Sajen that perhaps the gonjo is a later replacement. The level of erosion and look if the iron seems completely different from the blade itself.

kulbuntet · 30th January 2011, 04:04 AM

Im with David and Sajen.. Gonjo is replaced, but afther some more cleaning and a waragnan wash...stil nice piece! I like the medak, dont see them often anny more. Regards

29th January 2011, 02:28 PM	#6
amiles Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London Posts: 5	I've now cleaned and oiled the blade, which has made a huge difference (see photos). This took about three days of soaking in pineapple juice, with occasional brushing with a tooth brush and the use of a dental pick to carefully remove some of the bigger bits of rust. I'm so pleased I did it - the blade looks so much better, so thanks for all your advice. Is anyone able to hazard a guess as to it's age? Many thanks, Andy Attached Images

24th January 2011, 10:41 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	WELCOME TO THE FORUM THE KERIS HANDLE IS TRADITIONALLY LEFT LOOSE WITH PERHAPS A CORD WRAPPED AROUND THE PESKI (TANG) THAT GOES INTO THE HANDLE TO SECURE IT. TRADITIONALY IT IS NOT GLUED, NAILED OR SCREWED ON SO IF IT HAS NOT BEEN GLUED BY SOMEONE THE HANDLE SHOULD BE EASY TO REMOVE AND RE ATTACH AFTER CLEANING THE BLADE. AS SUGESTED JUST TWIST IT BACK AND FORTH AND SEE IF IT LOSENS UP AND WILL COME OFF. GOOD LUCK

25th January 2011, 02:26 PM	#2
amiles Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London Posts: 5	Thanks for all your suggestions. Interesting that the sheath opening has been made smaller - I hadn't noticed that before. Feeling more confident from your suggestions I gave the hilt a tweak this morning and it came off easily enough. The blade is now soaking in pineapple juice. I'll post another picture of the blade once it's clean, in case anything more is clear then. Thanks again, Andy

25th January 2011, 06:18 PM	#3
GIO Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 329	It is my opinion too that the hilt must be removed before cleaning the blade. I always clean also the peksi (tang) to prevent an over - rusting, and remove the gangia to eliminate rust which forms between the gangia and the upper part of the blade. At the end I apply, on the tang only, an anti-rust varnish. To conclude, considering the condition of the blade, I am afraid the pinapple juce will not do so much (but I never tried this method) I normally use either elecrolitic cleaning or bio-deruster. In some cases, but with great care, also a solution of phosforic acid.

25th January 2011, 08:51 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	I am afraid i disargee Gio. Pineapple juice will clean this keris just fine. Perhaps not as fast as your methods, but it is a very effective slow acting acid. This blade does not seem to be so far gone as you seem to think.

26th January 2011, 02:44 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	I first used pineapple juice to clean a keris blade in about 1955. I used it because I had read that coconut water should be used to remove rust from a keris blade, and I could not get coconut water. Since 1955 I've done a few blades with pineapple juice, and I consider it to be better than coconut water, which I have also used. I agree that there are many possible ways in which to remove rust from a keris blade, however, pineapple juice does work very well.

29th January 2011, 05:12 PM	#7
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	I don't usually hazard guesses on age, but i feel confident that your blade is an old one. Now that it is cleaned i think i will agree with Sajen that perhaps the gonjo is a later replacement. The level of erosion and look if the iron seems completely different from the blade itself.

30th January 2011, 04:04 AM	#8
kulbuntet Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Posts: 159	Im with David and Sajen.. Gonjo is replaced, but afther some more cleaning and a waragnan wash...stil nice piece! I like the medak, dont see them often anny more. Regards