Unusual kris for id please

chiefheadknocker · 29th April 2018, 02:36 PM

I picked this kris up today for 40 gbp ,I think ive done ok , is this kris classed as a sword or is it a large dagger ? it looks to have some age , any information would be great , its unusual how the handle is is attached at this angle
thanks

Rick · 29th April 2018, 02:59 PM

Dimensions please??

chiefheadknocker · 29th April 2018, 03:01 PM

hi there the blade alone is 36cm and overall length in scabbard 45cm
thanks

Paul de Souza · 29th April 2018, 03:42 PM

Think it is a Peninsular piece from the North judging from the sampir - the sheath cross-piece. Blade is typical bugis inspired. Angle of the hilt is correct for me for when you hold the hilt like you would a pistol grip, the blade would be flat and lean inwards to the opponent's body for the stab between ribs and inward towards vital organs.

David · 29th April 2018, 05:28 PM

Not sure why you would consider 14 inches as possibly being sword length, but yes, i would certainly classify this as a dagger.
I tend to agree with Paul's description and if you hold this properly that hilt seems to be in a fairly logical position to me.
What no one has said yet is that this appears to be a rather nice keris of this type with a beautiful, well made blade and nice fittings. It does look like the sheath is missing it buntet at the end of the stem, but otherwise it looks complete and in good condition. Though we don't talk money on this forum i still must remark that you seem to have gotten quite a steal on this one. Nice catch!

chiefheadknocker · 29th April 2018, 05:40 PM

Thanks for your reply and information , I thought this would be too short for a sword but then I thought this is too big for a dagger , but then I'm a novice in this area , thanks for putting light on it ,
should i clean the blade in any way or is it best left alone ?
thanks

David · 29th April 2018, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefheadknocker

Thanks for your reply and information , I thought this would be too short for a sword but then I thought this is too big for a dagger , but then I'm a novice in this area , thanks for putting light on it ,
should i clean the blade in any way or is it best left alone ?
thanks

Yeah, 14 inches (36cm) is a pretty average length for a keris dagger.
Your photos aren't great, but i don't see any active rust on the blade. It does seem a bit dark for a Peninsula blade, most people don't tend to give warangan treatment to them, but perhaps the previous collector liked it that way. I wouldn't necessarily remove the stain though. If it were mine i would probably hit it with some WD40 and brush it down well with and old toothbrush. Then i would oil it with a fragrant keris oil. I personally prefer a mix of mineral oil with sandalwood and kenanga oil.

A. G. Maisey · 30th April 2018, 02:33 AM

This is a very nice keris, you've done well.

jagabuwana · 2nd May 2018, 01:35 AM

For 40 gbp! :O what a find..

What is this pamor called? Gorgeous.

Paul B. · 2nd May 2018, 06:27 AM

I repeat we don't talk money.
The pamor looks a bit like the Javanese Bendo segodo.

chiefheadknocker · 3rd May 2018, 10:58 AM

here are a few more pictures of the blade , this is the first kris I have ever bought and thanks to this forum learnt a lot about them , I didn't realise how much time and skill went into making these blades , sorry for mentioning money I didn't realise this was a no no on this forum.
the blade is darker than the pictures show , I had to hold the blade so the light reflected right to see the detail (pamor)

David · 3rd May 2018, 03:23 PM

Yep, that is a very nicely constructed Bugis blade. Congratulations! Most collectors do not do anywhere near this well on their very first keris.

A. G. Maisey · 4th May 2018, 12:43 AM

That pendongkok looks like it might clean up as silver with a litte bit of elbow grease and some 0000 steel wool.

David · 4th May 2018, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

That pendongkok looks like it might clean up as silver with a litte bit of elbow grease and some 0000 steel wool.

I see why you say that Alan and who knows, you may be right, but i don't think i have ever seen this style of pendokok in silver. They generally seem to be brass.
Either why, cleaning the metal up to its original luster would no doubt improve the over all look of the ensemble so if it were mine i would follow your suggestion.

chiefheadknocker · 4th May 2018, 03:34 PM

Just to say the pendokok is brass , but I'm unsure whether to clean this or not , it takes brass a long time to go this colour and cleaning it will take all that age away ?

Rick · 4th May 2018, 04:12 PM

You wouldn't let your antique silverware tarnish would you?

I think that keris would appreciate a shiny pendokok; the original owner would not let it tarnish; he would keep it polished.

David · 4th May 2018, 05:33 PM

I agree with Rick on this. I like to maintain my collection as the original owners would when possible. The exterior aspects of the keris (dress) are supposed to be a respected part of ones attire and reflect the status of the wearer. Showing age through tarnished fittings would not be the way such important cultural items would be maintained.

29th April 2018, 02:36 PM	#1
chiefheadknocker Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 143	Unusual kris for id please I picked this kris up today for 40 gbp ,I think ive done ok , is this kris classed as a sword or is it a large dagger ? it looks to have some age , any information would be great , its unusual how the handle is is attached at this angle thanks Attached Images

29th April 2018, 05:40 PM	#6
chiefheadknocker Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 143	Thanks for your reply and information , I thought this would be too short for a sword but then I thought this is too big for a dagger , but then I'm a novice in this area , thanks for putting light on it , should i clean the blade in any way or is it best left alone ? thanks Last edited by chiefheadknocker; 29th April 2018 at 07:10 PM.

3rd May 2018, 10:58 AM	#11
chiefheadknocker Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 143	more pics of the pamor here are a few more pictures of the blade , this is the first kris I have ever bought and thanks to this forum learnt a lot about them , I didn't realise how much time and skill went into making these blades , sorry for mentioning money I didn't realise this was a no no on this forum. the blade is darker than the pictures show , I had to hold the blade so the light reflected right to see the detail (pamor) Attached Images

29th April 2018, 02:59 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Dimensions please??

29th April 2018, 03:01 PM	#3
chiefheadknocker Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 143	hi there the blade alone is 36cm and overall length in scabbard 45cm thanks

29th April 2018, 03:42 PM	#4
Paul de Souza Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 65	Think it is a Peninsular piece from the North judging from the sampir - the sheath cross-piece. Blade is typical bugis inspired. Angle of the hilt is correct for me for when you hold the hilt like you would a pistol grip, the blade would be flat and lean inwards to the opponent's body for the stab between ribs and inward towards vital organs.

29th April 2018, 05:28 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	Not sure why you would consider 14 inches as possibly being sword length, but yes, i would certainly classify this as a dagger. I tend to agree with Paul's description and if you hold this properly that hilt seems to be in a fairly logical position to me. What no one has said yet is that this appears to be a rather nice keris of this type with a beautiful, well made blade and nice fittings. It does look like the sheath is missing it buntet at the end of the stem, but otherwise it looks complete and in good condition. Though we don't talk money on this forum i still must remark that you seem to have gotten quite a steal on this one. Nice catch!

30th April 2018, 02:33 AM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	This is a very nice keris, you've done well.

2nd May 2018, 01:35 AM	#9
jagabuwana Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 281	For 40 gbp! :O what a find.. What is this pamor called? Gorgeous.

2nd May 2018, 06:27 AM	#10
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	I repeat we don't talk money. The pamor looks a bit like the Javanese Bendo segodo.

3rd May 2018, 03:23 PM	#12
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	Yep, that is a very nicely constructed Bugis blade. Congratulations! Most collectors do not do anywhere near this well on their very first keris.

4th May 2018, 12:43 AM	#13
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	That pendongkok looks like it might clean up as silver with a litte bit of elbow grease and some 0000 steel wool.

4th May 2018, 03:34 PM	#15
chiefheadknocker Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 143	Just to say the pendokok is brass , but I'm unsure whether to clean this or not , it takes brass a long time to go this colour and cleaning it will take all that age away ?

4th May 2018, 04:12 PM	#16
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	You wouldn't let your antique silverware tarnish would you? I think that keris would appreciate a shiny pendokok; the original owner would not let it tarnish; he would keep it polished.

4th May 2018, 05:33 PM	#17
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	I agree with Rick on this. I like to maintain my collection as the original owners would when possible. The exterior aspects of the keris (dress) are supposed to be a respected part of ones attire and reflect the status of the wearer. Showing age through tarnished fittings would not be the way such important cultural items would be maintained.