metal or fiber wraps on a kris gandar

[David]

Milandro, you are showing two completely different kinds of wrapping that serve very different practical or cultural purposes.
The top photo is an example of a type of wrapping that i can only assume is used to protect the sheath stem from wear. I have a couple of examples of this kind of thing in my own collection, both on Bugis style keris. Often this type of binding occurs on gandar that are made in two pieces so it seems it likely serves the function of holding the two halves together.
The second wrapping you show is known as Passio Sumange or Toli Toli. There does seem to be more to this wrap than simple practical purpose, though it may have begun as that. But there is some debate as to the real or original purpose for this. Often this simple string wrap is replaced by fancier loops made of precious metals and studded with gemstones.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=loop+keris

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=loop+keris

[milandro]

Thanks David, very nice.

[David]

This is my favourite keris with a wrapped sheath stem. It is, as you can see, obviously in the family of Bugis influence, though i can't say for certain that only Bugis keris have used this wrap style.

[milandro]

yes it is very beautiful and I was precisely wondering how to add such a wrap to the sheath? Has anyone done it?

[David]

I've never done it. On this one of mine it does appear that some glue of some type may have been used to secure it, but i don't know what is traditional. There are certainly ways to tie off a wrap like this without the use of adhesives. Also the glue may have just been a repair to fix a loose piece. Impossible to know at this point i'm afraid.

[milandro]

very nice indeed. I guess some amount of glue would be needed to have a tight fit and that may have ben natural glues in the past or artificial ones now.

I am not much of a DIY but enjoy these things (at least seeing them) ,unfortunately specific information on the manufacture of anything kris related is very sketchy and for the most part in local languages.


this is a video about something else but the wrapping technique ( especially the way he closes the wrap) can be very useful as an inspiration (it would be nice if there would be a way for this forum to embed videos so that they can be played directly )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnWD58gWY10

[milandro]

I am coming back to this thread which I started because I’ve bought a Bugis kris which obviously has had, at some point, one of this wraps or ligatures. I am still wondering on how to make one in the best possible way for someone with two left hands.