Javanese Keris ID

[A. G. Maisey]

Yohan, I can only speak from my own experience & what I have observed.

The 49 man-day example was a complex pamor, & that took three men three days to forge.

I made an adeg pamor, which requires moving the orientation of the layers of pamor into a position where they are at 90 degrees to the blade core, rather than parallel with the blade core, that took maybe half a day or less to move the orientation.

Now if I compare that with how long it took me to carve a sogokan correctly, that was 4 mandays for each blade face.

People using electric tools, and not observing the requisite fine detail to produce quality work can do things quicker, much, much quicker.

But putting all that to one side, in my experience it does take longer to get the cold work done than it takes to get the hot work done.

To me, its a bit funny really, because everybody fixates on the forge work, when in fact that is just hot, heavy, rough work. Even when a complex pamor is done the makers will simply direct the smith & strikers in their work --- except when there are cameras around. I'm speaking in generalities here, there are still makers who do everything themselves, hands on from start to finish.

The cold work requires deep knowledge and unwavering concentration.

[JustYS]

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation Alan.

I guess most of us non Keris makers fixates on forge work is because at first we attracted to the pamor when looking at Keris.

Thanks to you and the forum, we learn that garap should carry much more weight in appraising Keris.

Thank you.

[A. G. Maisey]

Forge work is no longer a common trade, it is active & flashy and no untrained person can understand it, there is fire and sparks and thumping hammers.

How can somebody sitting quietly & making adjustments of a fraction of a millimeter with a jewelers file compete with the magic & mystery of the forge?

Actually Empu Suparman used to prioritise garap in his appraisal of a blade.