Keris in need of TLC

[milandro]

Originally Posted by Jerseyman

Milandro, thank you for the indentification. Regarding the friction mount cloth around the tang (I assume), is that something you would remove before the long treatment with vinegar?

Certainly, the cloth can be disposed of, it is meant to be replaced. Sometimes some kisses have human hair or animal hair instead of cloth. Some people believe this has some spiritual significance linking the kris to the maker or the the owner or someone related to the owner. You could remove the hair and try to re-use it if this is the case but it is your choice.

[David]

Originally Posted by milandro

Certainly, the cloth can be disposed of, it is meant to be replaced. Sometimes some kisses have human hair or animal hair instead of cloth. Some people believe this has some spiritual significance linking the kris to the maker or the the owner or someone related to the owner. You could remove the hair and try to re-use it if this is the case but it is your choice.

I have encountered a few keris with hair wrapped around the pesi in the past. My own approach in these cases is to replace that hair, though i do always preserve it in a special container. I do believe the purpose of using human hair is indeed an attempt to form a bond between the owner and the keris. But that person is no longer the owner of the keris, i am. So in my view it is not a bond i would wish to keep activated.

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by David

I have encountered a few keris with hair wrapped around the pesi in the past. My own approach in these cases is to replace that hair, though i do always preserve it in a special container. I do believe the purpose of using human hair is indeed an attempt to form a bond between the owner and the keris. But that person is no longer the owner of the keris, i am. So in my view it is not a bond i would wish to keep activated.

about using hair around pesi, recently someone tried to sell me an old simple Balinese keris and he told me it was used in war and that the hair of that warrior's wife is used for good luck.

[A. G. Maisey]

I've heard many similar stories Anthony, but I do not know what is actually true.

[David]

I also suspect that there is likely more than one reason why someone would choose to use human hair in this manner, whether their own or the hair of someone related or close to them.