Keris Surakarta today's buy.

Pendita65 · 26th May 2026, 07:38 PM

Today's buy,

I bought this Keris from a colleague he inherited together with some other Tjikeroe knives and Golok from his deceased father in law who was stationed in Indonesia just before the war. I found this Keris appealing to me despite the relatively thin blade. (Not super thin) I don't know the Dapur and the ganja is in a form I have not seen often. The dress is relatively simple and plain and does not fit very good inside the Warangka but the ganja is of nice proportion with the curled up grening. I guess the mendak is a cage mendak from West Java if I am correct.

Who can share some more info about it. I thi k it has 7 Luk

Sajen · Yesterday, 02:40 PM

Hi Martin,

The ganja is called ganja wilut!

The sarung/scabbard looks very West Javanese to my eyes. The blade is sadly very worn!

Regards,
Detlef

Pendita65 · Yesterday, 04:42 PM

Hi Detlef,

Yes it's worn but it also shows history, and it has been cleaned often so for me it's also a relic of being cherished. So I cleaned the blade allready just need to stain it with warangan and I will get some lessons from someone I met lately. I learn him French polishing and he learns me to stain traditionally Keris. So in june I will start with a few cleaned Keris.

And it is not the only Keris in my collection that is worn so I am fine with it as I still can see the craftsmenship in them.
And thank you for the reply on my message.

Regards, Martin

David · Today, 04:41 PM

Yes Martin, i also believe that it os worth preserving some keris even when they are very worn. I look forward to seeing this blade once it is fully cleaned and stained. I believe the wrongko can be restored to some a much nicer level as well, especially if you are skilled with French Polishing.
I find the mendhak rather interesting. Is any familiar with this form? I don't know that i have seen it before.

Sajen · Today, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I find the mendhak rather interesting. Is any familiar with this form? I don't know that i have seen it before.

Hi David,

I can't tell you more about this type of mendak, I know that this type is rather rarely seen, Alan has shown once this type in two threads, pics are attached. I also have a keris with this type, last pic.
Alan will be able to tell us more, hopefully.

Regards,
Detlef

26th May 2026, 07:38 PM	#1
Pendita65 Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 173	Keris Surakarta today's buy. Today's buy, I bought this Keris from a colleague he inherited together with some other Tjikeroe knives and Golok from his deceased father in law who was stationed in Indonesia just before the war. I found this Keris appealing to me despite the relatively thin blade. (Not super thin) I don't know the Dapur and the ganja is in a form I have not seen often. The dress is relatively simple and plain and does not fit very good inside the Warangka but the ganja is of nice proportion with the curled up grening. I guess the mendak is a cage mendak from West Java if I am correct. Who can share some more info about it. I thi k it has 7 Luk Attached Images

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Yesterday, 02:40 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,783	Hi Martin, The ganja is called ganja wilut! The sarung/scabbard looks very West Javanese to my eyes. The blade is sadly very worn! Regards, Detlef

Yesterday, 04:42 PM	#3
Pendita65 Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 173	Hi Detlef, Yes it's worn but it also shows history, and it has been cleaned often so for me it's also a relic of being cherished. So I cleaned the blade allready just need to stain it with warangan and I will get some lessons from someone I met lately. I learn him French polishing and he learns me to stain traditionally Keris. So in june I will start with a few cleaned Keris. And it is not the only Keris in my collection that is worn so I am fine with it as I still can see the craftsmenship in them. And thank you for the reply on my message. Regards, Martin

Today, 04:41 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,295	Yes Martin, i also believe that it os worth preserving some keris even when they are very worn. I look forward to seeing this blade once it is fully cleaned and stained. I believe the wrongko can be restored to some a much nicer level as well, especially if you are skilled with French Polishing. I find the mendhak rather interesting. Is any familiar with this form? I don't know that i have seen it before.