Moro Kris with Twist Core

Lew · 26th September 2005, 05:41 PM

Welcome George!

I must say that is a very nice kris

The core is actually made up of two twisted rods forged welded together. We were discussing this type of blade construction at Ashokan this year. I saw a pic of a Moro kris last year that was a seven bar composite blade. These types of complex multi-bar composite kris were forged only by the most skilled bladesmiths. I wonder if these smiths were trained or apprenticed somewhere other than the Philippines or maybe picked up the technique from a Chinese smith working in the region? We saw a few Chinese dao sabers with the same construction at the seminar this month so it is possible that these kris could have been made by chinese smiths living in the Philippines?

Regards

Lew

Ian · 26th September 2005, 06:56 PM

Welcome George.

That is a lovely Maranao kris, perhaps early 20th C. from its overall size and style. The central portion with twisted rod construction is particularly well done. The treatment of the edges and tip is similar to a large sword for which I posted pictures recently.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=6047&stc=1
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=6048&stc=1

My sword was commissioned in 1930 from a panday in Lanao del Sur by a U.S. administrator.

Ian.

Lew · 26th September 2005, 07:27 PM

Ian

your link is a photo of a replica broad sword?????

Lew

Battara · 26th September 2005, 08:28 PM

George, thank you for posting this puppy. Though not unheard of, it is seldom that you see twist core in Moro, especially double twist core like yours.

Amazing. You see more of this in earlier pieces than later.

Regarding the panday training, I'm not sure that is had to be some one Chinese. I have a double twist core Bagobo piece and there are not many (if any) Chinese living in that area.

I also like the silver inlay.

Ian · 26th September 2005, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Ian

your link is a photo of a replica broad sword?????

Lew

Correct Lew. A Moro-made broadsword from 1930. I was referring to the treatment of the tip, which is common to that sword and the one shown above -- unusual style for Moro work IMO.

Ian.

26th September 2005, 06:56 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,395	Beautiful kris Welcome George. That is a lovely Maranao kris, perhaps early 20th C. from its overall size and style. The central portion with twisted rod construction is particularly well done. The treatment of the edges and tip is similar to a large sword for which I posted pictures recently. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=6047&stc=1 http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=6048&stc=1 My sword was commissioned in 1930 from a panday in Lanao del Sur by a U.S. administrator. Ian.

26th September 2005, 05:41 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Welcome George! I must say that is a very nice kris The core is actually made up of two twisted rods forged welded together. We were discussing this type of blade construction at Ashokan this year. I saw a pic of a Moro kris last year that was a seven bar composite blade. These types of complex multi-bar composite kris were forged only by the most skilled bladesmiths. I wonder if these smiths were trained or apprenticed somewhere other than the Philippines or maybe picked up the technique from a Chinese smith working in the region? We saw a few Chinese dao sabers with the same construction at the seminar this month so it is possible that these kris could have been made by chinese smiths living in the Philippines? Regards Lew

26th September 2005, 07:27 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Ian your link is a photo of a replica broad sword????? Lew

26th September 2005, 08:28 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	George, thank you for posting this puppy. Though not unheard of, it is seldom that you see twist core in Moro, especially double twist core like yours. Amazing. You see more of this in earlier pieces than later. Regarding the panday training, I'm not sure that is had to be some one Chinese. I have a double twist core Bagobo piece and there are not many (if any) Chinese living in that area. I also like the silver inlay.