Palembang Keris

David · 6th February 2026, 02:12 PM

It seems very likely indeed that this Palembang style sheath was indeed made for this blade. As for the hilt, it could have been a later addition given it's North Coast origin, but since the selut is clearly a Sumatran style i would be inclined to think that this ensemble is a legitmate Sumatran one rather than a dealer marriage. Have you determined the material of the selut yet. Could be silver. Seems you got yourself a fairly nice Sumatran keris there with a nice Ganesha hilt. Shame the kinatah is gone, but not the worst thing. Congratulations!

Pendita65 · 6th February 2026, 04:33 PM

Hi David,

Thank you for your comment. And yes it is silver I allready cleaned it, but I would like to know how to de rust this Keris, I am not sure if the vinegar or citric acid method would be the best method. So hope to hear from the experts.

Regards, Martin

A. G. Maisey · 6th February 2026, 07:04 PM

Martin, I do not know what the "best" method is to derust ferric material, I only know what i have been using for about 70 years now, & that I find to be unfailingly satisfactory, & that is vinegar. I believe the complete method has been put into this Forum a number of times, so I will leave it at that.

However, if you do use the vinegar soak method, it is probable that you will lose those last remaining little specks of gold. This would not concern me at all, but it might possibly concern you & some other people.

Pendita65 · 6th February 2026, 08:12 PM

Thank you Mr. Maisey and yes i was thinking maybe to cover the gold with a varnish before soaking it. Detlef also advised me to use a diluted vinegar.

I will see this week what i will use,

Regards, Martin

Sajen · 6th February 2026, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pendita65

Detlef also advised me to use a diluted vinegar.

Detlef advised a diluted vinegar essence!

Pendita65 · 6th February 2026, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Detlef advised a diluted vinegar essence!

David · 6th February 2026, 08:48 PM

Well, one way opr another i would say that you must attend to the rust problem as it will only get worse on it's own, not better. I have never tried covering with varnish, but it might be successful. For me, preserving the iron from further destruction through rust is more important than saving the last bits of gold. Trying the varnish may indeed be a good solution. There doesn't seem to be much rust where the last bits of gold are on top of the gonjo.

A. G. Maisey · 7th February 2026, 01:28 AM

Martin, all I use is just ordinary household white vinegar.

I get the blade as clean and oil free as possible first by washing with dishwash liquid, then I put it into a wall paper trough --- that which is used for hanging wall paper --- cover it with vinegar & take it out daily to brush under running tap water. Any little bits of hard rust I pick off with a sharp tool, a little pocket knife blade works OK, I use a saddlers awl.

I have tried cleaning vinegar , its supposedly stronger, but to me they both seem pretty much the same & cleaning vinegar is twice the price of the cheapest ordinary white vinegar.

I can see no point at all in diluting the vinegar, but in the past I have added a bit of hydrochloric acid to it, didn't seem to make much difference, if any at all.

When all the rust has gone I rinse thoroughly & drench with WD40, that is, if I do not immediately stain with warangan. Sometimes an old blade will come through the vinegar clean process with the pamor already good enough for viewing.

6th February 2026, 04:33 PM	#2
Pendita65 Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 178	Hi David, Thank you for your comment. And yes it is silver I allready cleaned it, but I would like to know how to de rust this Keris, I am not sure if the vinegar or citric acid method would be the best method. So hope to hear from the experts. Regards, Martin Attached Images

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6th February 2026, 02:12 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,297	It seems very likely indeed that this Palembang style sheath was indeed made for this blade. As for the hilt, it could have been a later addition given it's North Coast origin, but since the selut is clearly a Sumatran style i would be inclined to think that this ensemble is a legitmate Sumatran one rather than a dealer marriage. Have you determined the material of the selut yet. Could be silver. Seems you got yourself a fairly nice Sumatran keris there with a nice Ganesha hilt. Shame the kinatah is gone, but not the worst thing. Congratulations!

6th February 2026, 07:04 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,230	Martin, I do not know what the "best" method is to derust ferric material, I only know what i have been using for about 70 years now, & that I find to be unfailingly satisfactory, & that is vinegar. I believe the complete method has been put into this Forum a number of times, so I will leave it at that. However, if you do use the vinegar soak method, it is probable that you will lose those last remaining little specks of gold. This would not concern me at all, but it might possibly concern you & some other people.

6th February 2026, 08:12 PM	#4
Pendita65 Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 178	Thank you Mr. Maisey and yes i was thinking maybe to cover the gold with a varnish before soaking it. Detlef also advised me to use a diluted vinegar. I will see this week what i will use, Regards, Martin

6th February 2026, 08:48 PM	#7
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,297	Well, one way opr another i would say that you must attend to the rust problem as it will only get worse on it's own, not better. I have never tried covering with varnish, but it might be successful. For me, preserving the iron from further destruction through rust is more important than saving the last bits of gold. Trying the varnish may indeed be a good solution. There doesn't seem to be much rust where the last bits of gold are on top of the gonjo.

7th February 2026, 01:28 AM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,230	Martin, all I use is just ordinary household white vinegar. I get the blade as clean and oil free as possible first by washing with dishwash liquid, then I put it into a wall paper trough --- that which is used for hanging wall paper --- cover it with vinegar & take it out daily to brush under running tap water. Any little bits of hard rust I pick off with a sharp tool, a little pocket knife blade works OK, I use a saddlers awl. I have tried cleaning vinegar , its supposedly stronger, but to me they both seem pretty much the same & cleaning vinegar is twice the price of the cheapest ordinary white vinegar. I can see no point at all in diluting the vinegar, but in the past I have added a bit of hydrochloric acid to it, didn't seem to make much difference, if any at all. When all the rust has gone I rinse thoroughly & drench with WD40, that is, if I do not immediately stain with warangan. Sometimes an old blade will come through the vinegar clean process with the pamor already good enough for viewing.