Putting together a museum exhibit linking Java keris to Philippine kris

[tom hyle]

Most kris have a round- or oval-section tang, sometimes twisted. Such tang is generally viewed as speciallized for thrusting. In this regard, and well as the flared base so good for parries kris resembles the European "smallsword"
Kris sundang has a more robust (usually) rectangular-section tang, like an oceanic SE Asian cutting sword. Occasionally more modern ones (mid 20th+) have a nail-like tang a-la dha or tulwar. This seems a new and foreign influence.
Kris tangs are wedge-shaped.
Kris are meant to be removeable from their handles and other "dress" like Japanese swords are (The myth of Japanese isolation and uniqueness is highly overblown)