Maximum size of kris?

Steven C. · 2nd July 2006, 01:37 PM

Thank you both, but my original question stands, whats the maximum size of a kris?

Btw, I realise prices arent allowed, but am I allowed to ask where I can find items? I'm really interested in finding a nice huge kampilan but I'd prefer not to use ebay unless theres a buy now option. The kampilan has really grown on me.

And to the second poster, I dont see how you can chop a man in half with a kris! I mean do you mean like literally chopped in half across the torso!?

Spunjer · 2nd July 2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

...whats the maximum size of a kris?

here's a link that's gonna help you more about moro weapons:

http://home.earthlink.net/~federicomalibago/index.html

as for the max size, i have one that has a 28" blade (almost 2 inches wide), and as far as length, i haven't seen a longer one than that. with the size of this and the weight, yes you can cleave a man in half. as for where you can buy a kampilan, a forum member by the name of artzi carries them on his website from time to time.

http://www.oriental-arms.com/

kai · 2nd July 2006, 09:21 PM

Welcome Steven!

Quote:

as for where you can buy a kampilan, a forum member ... carries them on his website from time to time.

Bring your wallet though. Buying from experienced dealers is not a bad strategy (especially until getting enough knowledge) IF you can afford it. You'll hardly ever get a real bargain from someone who has to live from selling nice stuff.

I'd recommend posting "wanted ads" at the swap forum - some members occasionally part from decent pieces when upgrading their private collections and I've seen fair or even quite cheap prices more often than inflated prices. However, always keep in mind the collectors prime motto "caveat emptor" and ask one or more members via PM before finalizing any transaction.

Regards,
Kai

nechesh · 2nd July 2006, 02:17 PM

Hey Steven, welcome to the forum.
So what what you are saying then is that size does matter, eh?

As Kronckew explained, a distinction must be made between Indonesian keris which are generally dagger length and the beefer, sword length Moro kris. The spellings are actually interchangable, but generally on this forun we have adopted "keris" for the Indo blade and "kris" for the Moro sword (sometimes called a sundang or a kalis as well) to avoid confusion. Moro kris tend to be extremely combat ready swords and would be my personal choice for a blade in a sword fight. The Indo keris tend to be more complex and variant in form, often with complex pamor patterns in the iron which hold various talismanic and protective significance. For me personally, as an artform in metal they are unsurpassed.
To answer your question, you will find the sword lenght Moro kris between the sizes of about 18" (mostly the older ones) up to about 28". This is just blade lenght, not hilt included. I would not be surprised if you found some slightly longer, but i would say the average ones are in the low to mid 20s range. They tend to be VERY edge sharp and while actually cleaving a man in two might be a rarity they were capable of inflicting deep and mortal damage, often cutting from the collar bone down deep into the middle of the chest.
The Indo keris is a stabbing weapon, so this type of damage is not possible with those blades. Over the centuries the Indo keris moved away from being a physical weapon and took a place in Indonesian culture as an object of status, power, family lineage and spiritual and magickal practice.
Hope that helps. As Henk suggests, use the search function. You will also find more info searching the old forums. happy hunting.

kronckew · 2nd July 2006, 03:07 PM

This current thread here has more interesting info on moro kris, http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=moro

including the interesting internet version of 'swish of the kris' on the moro insurrection of the early 1900's

http://www.bakbakan.com/swishkb.html

it was in there that i read the bit about the report of the marine being cut in two. (i think that one was a barong tho) i am certainly aware of them (kris, barong, etc.) having been capable of cutting from the shoulder down thru deep in the chest of a victim. the filipino's made some of the best steel weapons outside of europe in a time when they were being phased out in europe and thus were probably even better.

it is interesting to note the variations in spelling of the different terms, again probably because of phonetic spelling. (campilane = kampilan, etc.)

Henk · 2nd July 2006, 03:42 PM

Steven,

Although ebay can give you sometimes a nice surprise, because you find something others didn't notice. I would advice keep searching and trying on ebay. Other places to find items? Antique shops (mostly expensive), public auctions at an auction house, flee markets (rise early) and that kind of activities. Also take a look at the swap forum from time to time. Our respectable forummembers will offer there their surplus from their collections. Maybe there you can get a lucky shot.

And don't get impatience. You have a long time ahead to build up a beautiful collection.

VANDOO · 2nd July 2006, 05:46 PM

FROM MEASURING SEVERAL OF MY MORO KRIS 28 INCHES TO 25 INCHES LONG FOR BLADES AND HANDLE SEEMS TO BE THE NORM WITH MOST AROUND 26 TO 27 IN. ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT OLD MORO KRIS IS THEY WILL KEEP A INCREDIBLY SHARP EDGE FOR A VERY LONG TIME WITHOUT SHARPENING. I PICKED UP A MORO KRIS OVER 100 YEARS OLD IN A SHOP IN BORNEO AND SHAVED THE HAIR OFF MY ARM JUST LIKE A RAZOR. I HAVE NO TROUBLE BELIEVING THAT THEY CAN TAKE A HEAD, ARM ,LEG OR POSSIBLY CLEAVE A MAN IN TWO IN THE HANDS OF AN EXPERT IN FULL BATTLE RAGE.
ALWAYS BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN REMOVING ONE FROM THE WOOD SCABBARD AS THE BLADE WILL OFTEN COME OUT THE SIDES WHERE THE TWO HALVES COME TOGETHER, THE ONES WITH WAVEY BLADES ARE ESPECIALLY BAD. ALWAYS GRIP THE SIDES OF THE SCABBARD ,DON'T WRAP YOUR HAND AROUND AS WE USUALLY DO OR YOU MAY RECEIVE A NASTY CUT, I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE.

THE INDONESIAN AND MALAYSIAN KERIS ARE USUALLY 15 TO 17 INCHS LONG
AND THE ONES FROM BALI ARE USUALLY OVER 20 INCHES, THATS BLADE AND HANDLE MEASUREMENTS. I DIDN'T HAVE A BALI KERIS HANDY TO MEASURE SO THAT IS APPROXIMATE. I HAVE SEEN ONE KERIS FROM JAVA WITH A WAVEY BLADE THAT WAS OVER 3 FEET LONG BUT THOUGH TRADITIONAL AND VERY WELL MADE WAS MADE TO SHOW OFF THE WORKMANSHIP OR PERHAPS FOR SOME SPECIAL OCCASION.

WELCOME TO THE FORUM AND THE WORLD OF COLLECTING

2nd July 2006, 01:37 PM	#1
Steven C. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Port Richey, Florida Posts: 20	Thank you both, but my original question stands, whats the maximum size of a kris? Btw, I realise prices arent allowed, but am I allowed to ask where I can find items? I'm really interested in finding a nice huge kampilan but I'd prefer not to use ebay unless theres a buy now option. The kampilan has really grown on me. And to the second poster, I dont see how you can chop a man in half with a kris! I mean do you mean like literally chopped in half across the torso!?

2nd July 2006, 02:17 PM	#4
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Hey Steven, welcome to the forum. So what what you are saying then is that size does matter, eh? As Kronckew explained, a distinction must be made between Indonesian keris which are generally dagger length and the beefer, sword length Moro kris. The spellings are actually interchangable, but generally on this forun we have adopted "keris" for the Indo blade and "kris" for the Moro sword (sometimes called a sundang or a kalis as well) to avoid confusion. Moro kris tend to be extremely combat ready swords and would be my personal choice for a blade in a sword fight. The Indo keris tend to be more complex and variant in form, often with complex pamor patterns in the iron which hold various talismanic and protective significance. For me personally, as an artform in metal they are unsurpassed. To answer your question, you will find the sword lenght Moro kris between the sizes of about 18" (mostly the older ones) up to about 28". This is just blade lenght, not hilt included. I would not be surprised if you found some slightly longer, but i would say the average ones are in the low to mid 20s range. They tend to be VERY edge sharp and while actually cleaving a man in two might be a rarity they were capable of inflicting deep and mortal damage, often cutting from the collar bone down deep into the middle of the chest. The Indo keris is a stabbing weapon, so this type of damage is not possible with those blades. Over the centuries the Indo keris moved away from being a physical weapon and took a place in Indonesian culture as an object of status, power, family lineage and spiritual and magickal practice. Hope that helps. As Henk suggests, use the search function. You will also find more info searching the old forums. happy hunting.

2nd July 2006, 03:07 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	This current thread here has more interesting info on moro kris, http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=moro including the interesting internet version of 'swish of the kris' on the moro insurrection of the early 1900's http://www.bakbakan.com/swishkb.html it was in there that i read the bit about the report of the marine being cut in two. (i think that one was a barong tho) i am certainly aware of them (kris, barong, etc.) having been capable of cutting from the shoulder down thru deep in the chest of a victim. the filipino's made some of the best steel weapons outside of europe in a time when they were being phased out in europe and thus were probably even better. it is interesting to note the variations in spelling of the different terms, again probably because of phonetic spelling. (campilane = kampilan, etc.)

2nd July 2006, 03:42 PM	#6
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Steven, Although ebay can give you sometimes a nice surprise, because you find something others didn't notice. I would advice keep searching and trying on ebay. Other places to find items? Antique shops (mostly expensive), public auctions at an auction house, flee markets (rise early) and that kind of activities. Also take a look at the swap forum from time to time. Our respectable forummembers will offer there their surplus from their collections. Maybe there you can get a lucky shot. And don't get impatience. You have a long time ahead to build up a beautiful collection.

2nd July 2006, 05:46 PM	#7
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	FROM MEASURING SEVERAL OF MY MORO KRIS 28 INCHES TO 25 INCHES LONG FOR BLADES AND HANDLE SEEMS TO BE THE NORM WITH MOST AROUND 26 TO 27 IN. ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT OLD MORO KRIS IS THEY WILL KEEP A INCREDIBLY SHARP EDGE FOR A VERY LONG TIME WITHOUT SHARPENING. I PICKED UP A MORO KRIS OVER 100 YEARS OLD IN A SHOP IN BORNEO AND SHAVED THE HAIR OFF MY ARM JUST LIKE A RAZOR. I HAVE NO TROUBLE BELIEVING THAT THEY CAN TAKE A HEAD, ARM ,LEG OR POSSIBLY CLEAVE A MAN IN TWO IN THE HANDS OF AN EXPERT IN FULL BATTLE RAGE. ALWAYS BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN REMOVING ONE FROM THE WOOD SCABBARD AS THE BLADE WILL OFTEN COME OUT THE SIDES WHERE THE TWO HALVES COME TOGETHER, THE ONES WITH WAVEY BLADES ARE ESPECIALLY BAD. ALWAYS GRIP THE SIDES OF THE SCABBARD ,DON'T WRAP YOUR HAND AROUND AS WE USUALLY DO OR YOU MAY RECEIVE A NASTY CUT, I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE. THE INDONESIAN AND MALAYSIAN KERIS ARE USUALLY 15 TO 17 INCHS LONG AND THE ONES FROM BALI ARE USUALLY OVER 20 INCHES, THATS BLADE AND HANDLE MEASUREMENTS. I DIDN'T HAVE A BALI KERIS HANDY TO MEASURE SO THAT IS APPROXIMATE. I HAVE SEEN ONE KERIS FROM JAVA WITH A WAVEY BLADE THAT WAS OVER 3 FEET LONG BUT THOUGH TRADITIONAL AND VERY WELL MADE WAS MADE TO SHOW OFF THE WORKMANSHIP OR PERHAPS FOR SOME SPECIAL OCCASION. WELCOME TO THE FORUM AND THE WORLD OF COLLECTING