Quote:
Originally Posted by milandro
As I said , I would like to see a similar video showing the use of the Panjang Kris.
If you know anyone who does this , it will be very nice.
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I would love to see any evidence that the keris panjang were ever intended for use in battle. But to date i have seen none. This is a subject we have discussed numerous times on the keris forum. Given the type of tang (pesi) and the length of the blade coupled with the fact that the panjang has no addition form of attachment between the hilt and blade as the kalis does with the straps attached to the asang asang, it is hard to see how the panjang could possibly be welded effectively as a combat weapon without the pesi bending or snapping off. My thinking is that it was a weapon of status and authority. Clearly it was not a keris just anyone could carry or it would be more common. But there are far less panjang to be found than regular length keris. It could, of course, be used as a means for execution, which is why it is so often called an executioners keris, but i still don't believe that was it's main function. More likely it gained that reputation because the people who were permitted to carry such a keris actually had the authority to execute.