Staining keris with Chinese warangan

harimauhk · 3rd July 2009, 07:19 AM

Hi David and Alan,

Yes, there are definite file marks on this keris. I'll try and locate some 00 or 000 steel wool, but IMO it's going to be tough to find here. Coconut husk would be significantly easier to locate (go figure). How about high grit sandpaper?

I believe I was using far too much juice (I was really trying to get the wilah soaking). I'll have to use less on my next attempt. One more thing gentlemen--is it really necessary to age the warangan and juice mixture? Mine is only about a week old.

Jay

Greybeard · 6th July 2009, 06:05 AM

I do understand that keris blades are never resharpened after they were finished by the empu/pandai. Is this merely because keris -- as stabbing weapons -- do not require sharp cutting edges, or might there be some mystical/esoterical reasons behind this as well?

Regards,

Heinz

A. G. Maisey · 6th July 2009, 07:48 AM

I most definitely would not use sandpaper of any type.

If you can get coconut husk, use that.

For the brush on method you only use a very small amount of lime juice, maybe an egg cup full and a tiny quantity of arsenic, maybe enough to cover a fingernail.You let it stand for maybe half hour or so, just long enough to let any floating particles go to the bottom.

There is a complete set of instructions on how to do the job buried here somewhere. I wrote it, but I've got no idea where it is. That spells it out fully.

Gustav · 6th July 2009, 09:49 AM

Hallo,

the name of that thread is "pamor identity, help". You can use the search function - pamor identity - the first thread in the list.

David · 6th July 2009, 01:37 PM

This is the thread Gustav speaks of:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...pamor+identity

harimauhk · 7th July 2009, 07:51 AM

Cheers gents, I have read through that thread before. I'll be making up a fresh batch of lime + warangan and I'll get myself a coconut to scrub the keris with before I apply it.

Pak Maisey, do you think bottled Berri lime juice (from Oz) would be alright to use? Terima kasih!

A. G. Maisey · 9th July 2009, 02:34 AM

No, most definitely not.

You need freshly squeezed juice from tahitian limes (jeruk nipis) , and you must strain it to get rid of the solids.

You do not "make up a batch".

You make the suspension immediately before use, you let it stand till the floating bits or arsenic settle, maybe half an hour, and you use it straight away. You only make a very small amount, maybe the juice of 3 or 4 limes, and a pinch of arsenic.

6th July 2009, 06:05 AM	#2
Greybeard Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Switzerland Posts: 124	Regarding resharpening keris blades I do understand that keris blades are never resharpened after they were finished by the empu/pandai. Is this merely because keris -- as stabbing weapons -- do not require sharp cutting edges, or might there be some mystical/esoterical reasons behind this as well? Regards, Heinz

3rd July 2009, 07:19 AM	#1
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Hi David and Alan, Yes, there are definite file marks on this keris. I'll try and locate some 00 or 000 steel wool, but IMO it's going to be tough to find here. Coconut husk would be significantly easier to locate (go figure). How about high grit sandpaper? I believe I was using far too much juice (I was really trying to get the wilah soaking). I'll have to use less on my next attempt. One more thing gentlemen--is it really necessary to age the warangan and juice mixture? Mine is only about a week old. Jay

6th July 2009, 07:48 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	I most definitely would not use sandpaper of any type. If you can get coconut husk, use that. For the brush on method you only use a very small amount of lime juice, maybe an egg cup full and a tiny quantity of arsenic, maybe enough to cover a fingernail.You let it stand for maybe half hour or so, just long enough to let any floating particles go to the bottom. There is a complete set of instructions on how to do the job buried here somewhere. I wrote it, but I've got no idea where it is. That spells it out fully.

6th July 2009, 09:49 AM	#4
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,280	Hallo, the name of that thread is "pamor identity, help". You can use the search function - pamor identity - the first thread in the list.

6th July 2009, 01:37 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	This is the thread Gustav speaks of: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...pamor+identity

7th July 2009, 07:51 AM	#6
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Cheers gents, I have read through that thread before. I'll be making up a fresh batch of lime + warangan and I'll get myself a coconut to scrub the keris with before I apply it. Pak Maisey, do you think bottled Berri lime juice (from Oz) would be alright to use? Terima kasih!

9th July 2009, 02:34 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	No, most definitely not. You need freshly squeezed juice from tahitian limes (jeruk nipis) , and you must strain it to get rid of the solids. You do not "make up a batch". You make the suspension immediately before use, you let it stand till the floating bits or arsenic settle, maybe half an hour, and you use it straight away. You only make a very small amount, maybe the juice of 3 or 4 limes, and a pinch of arsenic.