Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Richard W · 2nd November 2011, 09:18 PM

A big question and my first one posted here.
Recently got a small, supposedly Bali kris, on e-bay (sorry no photo to attached).
The blade looks fake to me. Not shiny at all, more of a matt texture.I thought the Balanise kept their blades smooth and shiny while Javanese blades are often dry and flaky looking. Am I wrong? If I am right is this due to the ritual cleaning practices in Java which seem to strip the blades down?
In a modern fake I would expect to see a rough aced-etched surface, used to expose the pattern. what texture/finish would result from an overly aggressive acid bath?
Okay, I know without an image this is nearly impossible, but any help on the above points would be appriciated.
Thanks, Richard.

2nd November 2011, 09:18 PM	#1
Richard W Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Amarillo Texas Posts: 21	Fake vs genuine... A big question and my first one posted here. Recently got a small, supposedly Bali kris, on e-bay (sorry no photo to attached). The blade looks fake to me. Not shiny at all, more of a matt texture.I thought the Balanise kept their blades smooth and shiny while Javanese blades are often dry and flaky looking. Am I wrong? If I am right is this due to the ritual cleaning practices in Java which seem to strip the blades down? In a modern fake I would expect to see a rough aced-etched surface, used to expose the pattern. what texture/finish would result from an overly aggressive acid bath? Okay, I know without an image this is nearly impossible, but any help on the above points would be appriciated. Thanks, Richard.