Modern keris bethok

David · 13th April 2023, 02:48 PM

There is a wood known as Kamagong which is sometimes called "Philippine Macassar Ebony". I can't say for sure if this is that wood or not. Examples i have seen seen to have more veins of darker coloured wood running throughout and i believe it is these darker areas of the wood that leads people to liken it to ebony.

A. G. Maisey · 13th April 2023, 05:24 PM

What we are looking at here in your example David is a log that has been milled to use both sapwood and heartwood;- the sapwood is light coloured and the heartwood is dark coloured.

Only the heartwood of any of the ebony trees is valuable, if we see only the sapwood, it is very difficult to know exactly what we are looking at.

David · 14th April 2023, 01:53 AM

Yes Alan. That’s why I wrote “I can’t be sure if this is that wood or not.”

A. G. Maisey · 14th April 2023, 12:45 PM

Yes, understood.

milandro · 7th July 2023, 08:45 AM

I too have purchased a modern bethok.

The shape really appeals to me and I came across one which was not consumed by acids to pretend age and simply showed a nicely made (in my opinion) kris with a simple pamor which I believe could be called Pulo Tirto.

milandro · 26th July 2023, 01:51 PM

I really had expected at least some comment about my modern betook, granted it is as new as they come but stil probably deserved at least some comment

Jean · 27th July 2023, 08:30 AM

I have personally not much to say about these modern pieces, only that the pamor does not look typical of Pulo Tirto (islands in the sea) IMO, and the dapur is odd....
Regards

13th April 2023, 02:48 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	There is a wood known as Kamagong which is sometimes called "Philippine Macassar Ebony". I can't say for sure if this is that wood or not. Examples i have seen seen to have more veins of darker coloured wood running throughout and i believe it is these darker areas of the wood that leads people to liken it to ebony. Attached Images

7th July 2023, 08:45 AM	#5
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 492	I too have purchased a modern bethok. The shape really appeals to me and I came across one which was not consumed by acids to pretend age and simply showed a nicely made (in my opinion) kris with a simple pamor which I believe could be called Pulo Tirto. Attached Images Last edited by milandro; 7th July 2023 at 10:24 AM.

13th April 2023, 05:24 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	What we are looking at here in your example David is a log that has been milled to use both sapwood and heartwood;- the sapwood is light coloured and the heartwood is dark coloured. Only the heartwood of any of the ebony trees is valuable, if we see only the sapwood, it is very difficult to know exactly what we are looking at.

14th April 2023, 01:53 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	Yes Alan. That’s why I wrote “I can’t be sure if this is that wood or not.”

14th April 2023, 12:45 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Yes, understood.

26th July 2023, 01:51 PM	#6
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 492	I really had expected at least some comment about my modern betook, granted it is as new as they come but stil probably deserved at least some comment

27th July 2023, 08:30 AM	#7
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	I have personally not much to say about these modern pieces, only that the pamor does not look typical of Pulo Tirto (islands in the sea) IMO, and the dapur is odd.... Regards