Hybrid kris for comment

[Battara]

Kai I agree with your dating of the blade. My nearly identical blade has lamination, and thus I would put mine at a little earlier.

Xasterix, I would agree that this type of peening or nail is Tagalog.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Battara

Kai I agree with your dating of the blade. My nearly identical blade has lamination, and thus I would put mine at a little earlier.

Xasterix, I would agree that this type of peening or nail is Tagalog.

Thanks for the response sir Jose!

If you would allow me some topic deviation already- I'm curious regarding the monosteel / laminated impact on age estimation. As I understand- there was an archaic kris or two that was discussed here before as being monosteel. I've also encountered an archaic kris (it looked exactly like small forum samples) that, when it was etched, also yielded monosteel. Another instance that I remember- I had a barung with carabao-horn sleeve, large junggayan pommel, and chop-mark that surprisingly yielded monosteel.

In light of these samples, perhaps it can be assumed that certain locations with resourceful panday/artisan outfits had early access to monosteel? As I understand, monosteel is superior to laminated steel in terms of resilience and overall quality (thus if it was available, it would be prized by the pandays of old).

[xasterix]

Sorry I don't have better pictures...but here are two of my friend's archaic krises which are both monosteel.

[Battara]

Here is one of my kris that although being 17c, has a mono-steel blade. Hilt is made of sea cow ivory, silver, and swassa. The asana-asang is silver also.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Battara

Here is one of my kris that although being 17c, has a mono-steel blade. Hilt is made of sea cow ivory, silver, and swassa. The asana-asang is silver also.

Nice and elaborate piece sir!

In the context of these odd monosteel pieces...can it then be assumed that an old Moro or Filipino traditional blade's status as a laminated piece, doesn't automatically guarantee it as being older than say, a monosteel piece of the same type? And that a monosteel blade doesn't necessarily equate to post1900s?

[JBG163]

Battara, could it be possible to get close up picture of your blade ?

[David]

Originally Posted by JBG163

Battara, could it be possible to get close up picture of your blade ?

I would also like to see close-ups.
Also wondering José, how you have identified this pommel as Dunong (sea cow).
Dunong tusks can be up to about 25cm, but they tend to be rather slim. I'm not sure they have the mass for creating a pommel like this. Is it possible it might be whale tooth instead.
And also also wonder how you place this in the 17th century? It is a simpler form than what we generally consider to be "archaic" form keris from that era. Is there something besides it being a slim stabbing style form that leads you to such an early dating?