Appreciation of Palembang hilt

David · 20th February 2009, 05:14 PM

Willem, i'm not sure how one would ever know for sure unless they knew the carver. Personally i think tools are just that. I don't think it lessens the artistry of the work if modern tools are involved as long as the artist knows how to properly use them.

BluErf · 22nd February 2009, 04:07 AM

I agree with David!

It's the skills! though good tools would help artists achieve greater heights.

Newsteel · 23rd February 2009, 12:48 AM

A friend ever brought a similar ivory piece to a late mastercarver in Kelantan (northern Malaysia) and hope to seek some pointers how a mranggi would achieved something like this. The explaination he got was pretty simple - he (the mranggi or carver) is very skillful and definite got his special knife or tools in order to carve like that.

asomotif · 24th February 2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

definite got his special knife or tools in order to carve like that.

What I am looking for is some differences between carving the old way and 'carving' with dental / drills.

This specific hilt has some very fine lines and curls that end 'pointed'.
I assume that with only a dental drill this would not be possible... ?

lemmythesmith · 24th February 2009, 10:09 PM

Hi all, I'm carving a Bali togogan in ivory at the moment and I use a dremel with dental type burrs to get the outline and then refine any cuts (if they need a pointed end to them) with small knives and awls. Newsteel-that hilt is fantastic!

asomotif · 24th February 2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

I'm carving a Bali togogan in ivory

Dear Lemmy (?),

Interesting. could you post some pictures of your carving.
I think it would be intersting to see what a dermel can do and what traditional tools than can add to that.

Best regards,
Willem

David · 25th February 2009, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

What I am looking for is some differences between carving the old way and 'carving' with dental / drills.

This specific hilt has some very fine lines and curls that end 'pointed'.
I assume that with only a dental drill this would not be possible... ?

Willem, i don't imagine that any good modern craftsman would only use a dremel when doing this type of work. I am fairly sure that some hand tools would also come into play.

lemmythesmith · 25th February 2009, 10:41 PM

Hi Willem, here's some snaps of how he looks roughed out with an angle grinder, dremel with milling cutters/burrs and then with a little work with knives. I still have some to do with the dremel yet-I've been trying to get his hands right using fine blades to make his fingers/pancanaka thumb.

He's 125mm overall including selut.

Rick · 25th February 2009, 11:16 PM

Lemmy, you blow my mind .

WoW !

25th February 2009, 10:41 PM	#8
lemmythesmith Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 93	Hi Willem, here's some snaps of how he looks roughed out with an angle grinder, dremel with milling cutters/burrs and then with a little work with knives. I still have some to do with the dremel yet-I've been trying to get his hands right using fine blades to make his fingers/pancanaka thumb. He's 125mm overall including selut. Attached Images

20th February 2009, 05:14 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	Willem, i'm not sure how one would ever know for sure unless they knew the carver. Personally i think tools are just that. I don't think it lessens the artistry of the work if modern tools are involved as long as the artist knows how to properly use them.

22nd February 2009, 04:07 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	I agree with David! It's the skills! though good tools would help artists achieve greater heights.

23rd February 2009, 12:48 AM	#3
Newsteel Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 132	A friend ever brought a similar ivory piece to a late mastercarver in Kelantan (northern Malaysia) and hope to seek some pointers how a mranggi would achieved something like this. The explaination he got was pretty simple - he (the mranggi or carver) is very skillful and definite got his special knife or tools in order to carve like that.

24th February 2009, 10:09 PM	#5
lemmythesmith Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 93	Hi all, I'm carving a Bali togogan in ivory at the moment and I use a dremel with dental type burrs to get the outline and then refine any cuts (if they need a pointed end to them) with small knives and awls. Newsteel-that hilt is fantastic!

25th February 2009, 11:16 PM	#9
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Lemmy, you blow my mind . WoW !