New member needs some help!

[Atlantia]

Welcome to the forums Timmyb.
What a fantastic looking and unique piece!
The tusk knuckle bow is a completely new concept in my experience.

Congratulations on a great looking sword!

Best
Gene

[Spunjer]

it's a novelty kalis... meaning the handguard was added for no other reason than:

a) to bolster sale (done by a lumad or christian vendor)
b) the new owner's (most likely a foreigner) personal whim

i don't see any reason why a moro would desicrate a kalis with a part of an "unclean" animal...

[Battara]

Very true Ron, very true............

[David]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

i don't see any reason why a moro would desicrate a kalis with a part of an "unclean" animal...

Very good point Ron, this wasn't done by a Muslim for a Muslim.

[timmyb]

Well....I knew I would get some great information here and I did! Thank you to everyone who took the time to look at the sword and post your thoughts. I'm using all of the information gathered to do some more research. A Kris isn't something you see in rural upstate NY where I am from so this was a good find for me. Now I am watching the inventory of the local antique shops and putting some feelers out there to see if I can find any more interesting weapons. I will keep you all posted!! Thanks Again.

Timmyb

[Spunjer]

timmyb, if you clean the blade (0000 steel wool, warm water and dish soap) then mildly etch it with vinegar, you might find a beautiful pattern running along the blade, most likely a skunk stripe pattern. here's an almost similar blade to what you have:

[timmyb]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

timmyb, if you clean the blade (0000 steel wool, warm water and dish soap) then mildly etch it with vinegar, you might find a beautiful pattern running along the blade, most likely a skunk stripe pattern. here's an almost similar blade to what you have:

HeY Thanks for the tip Spunjer. I was wondering how to properly clean this piece. What do you mean by "etch" it with vinegar? Also, would I use dish soap and water to clean the rest of it as well? Thanks again!

Timmyb

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by timmyb

HeY Thanks for the tip Spunjer. I was wondering how to properly clean this piece. What do you mean by "etch" it with vinegar? Also, would I use dish soap and water to clean the rest of it as well? Thanks again!

Timmyb

If I may field this one, just in case you decide to go ahead and try it

The hilt does not need cleaning. Don't do anything to the hilt, it's fine as it is.
Spunjer is only talking about cleaning the blade in preparation for the etch, wait for him to come back with details on that.

Best
Gene

[David]

Originally Posted by timmyb

A Kris isn't something you see in rural upstate NY where I am from so this was a good find for me. Now I am watching the inventory of the local antique shops and putting some feelers out there to see if I can find any more interesting weapons.

Hey Timmy, i found my first kris at an antique mall in rural New Hampshire. You really never know where these objects will pop up. Quite a few ended up in the States when soldiers returned home from the U.S. actions in the Philippines at the very beginning of the 20th century so they end up all over rural America.

[timmyb]

Originally Posted by David

Hey Timmy, i found my first kris at an antique mall in rural New Hampshire. You really never know where these objects will pop up. Quite a few ended up in the States when soldiers returned home from the U.S. actions in the Philippines at the very beginning of the 20th century so they end up all over rural America.

Hey David.....Great story! Were you looking for the Kris when you found it or did you just see it and become interested? Where I live people seem to be most interested in anything American and not so much antiques from other parts of the world. How many pieces do you have now and do you have any advice for a life long antique collector and first time Kris owner? I am interested in building a collection.

Thanks Again,

Tim

[David]

Originally Posted by timmyb

Hey David.....Great story! Were you looking for the Kris when you found it or did you just see it and become interested? Where I live people seem to be most interested in anything American and not so much antiques from other parts of the world. How many pieces do you have now and do you have any advice for a life long antique collector and first time Kris owner? I am interested in building a collection.

Thanks Again,

Tim

This was very many years ago and at the time i had no idea what it was. I brought it into the Arms & Armor curator at Met in NYC for ID. But from there i slowly became addicted. Though my interest shifted more toward the Indonesian keris form i now own more Moro kris and Indo keris than i have counted as of late.
My best advice for building a collection is to find a dealer(s) that you know you can trust. Deals exist on ePray and you can find them in the antique malls at times, but if you are not well versed in what you are looking for it is really easy to be fooled by modern repros and outright fakes.
Also read all you can on the subject here, in books and on the internet. Study the culture along with the weapon for a better understanding.

[laEspadaAncha]

Originally Posted by timmyb

...do you have any advice for a life long antique collector and first time Kris owner? I am interested in building a collection.

Thanks Again,

Tim

Hi Tim,

While your question was addressed to David, if I may suggest, you might find immense enjoyment in reading a recently re-published book about the culture and the warriors to whom these fascinating weapons are attributed, Swish of the Kris by Vic Hurley. The book, while romanticizing the warrior culture of the Moros, will undoubtedly give you a newfound appreciation for your beautiful kris.

Welcome to the forum, BTW...

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by timmyb

do you have any advice for a life long antique collector and first time Kris owner? I am interested in building a collection.

Hi Tim,

Read a lot of old books, look at old taken images, drawings, privat collections, provenanced pieces, museumcollections, and try to collect on quality, rarely seen pieces, different pieces, or provenanced pieces, and most likely I want them all with the old patina....

The written above is counting for me concerning krisses and it is applying on all other pieces in my collection, as far as my financial funds could go.


Rg,
Maurice