Javanese keris / reshaped or not.

asomotif · 21st November 2009, 11:57 PM

I bougth this javanese keris last weekend and looking better at the blade I wonder if this shape is all original ?

Henk · 22nd November 2009, 09:49 AM

I see what you mean. It looks indeed reshaped. How does the blade fit in the scabbard?

asomotif · 22nd November 2009, 09:54 PM

Hi Henk,

The fit is perfect considering the age of the scabbard.

Rick · 22nd November 2009, 09:59 PM

Let's consider that it was a cultural practice to smooth out really ragged edges on an old keris .

This work was only supposed to be done by a very talented keris maker .

So it could have been done some time ago or fairly recently .

I do not posess the knowledge to judge either way .

asomotif · 22nd November 2009, 10:11 PM

Dear Rick,

Yes I realise that smoothing out the edges could have been a good reason.
But in its present state the blade has a set of "shoulders".
I wonder if this is something that is good craftsmanship, or maybe this set of shoulders is not OK ?

I have tried to give my impression in drawing of wrong (red) and right(green).
As you can see, I am a total dummy with the "paint" program.

Rick · 22nd November 2009, 10:37 PM

Yes, it looks to me like these 'shoulders continued down the blade to some degree; possibly when new, all the way .
Age and warangan, then smoothing has removed them .
Or .........

21st November 2009, 11:57 PM	#1
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,237	Javanese keris / reshaped or not. I bougth this javanese keris last weekend and looking better at the blade I wonder if this shape is all original ? Attached Images

22nd November 2009, 09:54 PM	#3
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,237	Hi Henk, The fit is perfect considering the age of the scabbard. Attached Images

22nd November 2009, 10:11 PM	#5
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,237	Dear Rick, Yes I realise that smoothing out the edges could have been a good reason. But in its present state the blade has a set of "shoulders". I wonder if this is something that is good craftsmanship, or maybe this set of shoulders is not OK ? I have tried to give my impression in drawing of wrong (red) and right(green). As you can see, I am a total dummy with the "paint" program. Attached Images

22nd November 2009, 09:49 AM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	I see what you mean. It looks indeed reshaped. How does the blade fit in the scabbard?

22nd November 2009, 09:59 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Let's consider that it was a cultural practice to smooth out really ragged edges on an old keris . This work was only supposed to be done by a very talented keris maker . So it could have been done some time ago or fairly recently . I do not posess the knowledge to judge either way .

22nd November 2009, 10:37 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Yes, it looks to me like these 'shoulders continued down the blade to some degree; possibly when new, all the way . Age and warangan, then smoothing has removed them . Or .........