Bugis Sheath Info Requested

RobT · Yesterday, 05:44 PM

A. G. Maisey,
Thanks for those examples. If the folks in Java fit a full size hilt to a short blade to make the ensemble work with a full size sheath, I think it is reasonably likely that the practice is followed in other areas of the keris world. It’s the way I’m going, for sure.

Sajen,
I have already opened the sheath throat slightly to seat the blade so it no longer wobbles. As I thought it would, the aring side now fits very well so I have decided to carve a piece of wood to fill the gap on the dagu side. Your examples show me what to shoot for. Cutting the wood to fit isn’t really the problem. Color and figure (aka grain) matching the existing wood is where it gets dicey. Once the type of wood is selected, various staining methods can be tried out on scraps of the same wood. This narrows the odds a bit because you really only have one shot to get it right after the piece is cut to fit. It will take a while to get this project done but I’ll post the results when I finish.

David,
I can’t believe I neglected to give the blade length. It’s 8.5” (21.59 cm).

Sincerely,
RobT

Yesterday, 05:44 PM	#9
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 617	Will Cut a Dagu Piece, Blade Length Given A. G. Maisey, Thanks for those examples. If the folks in Java fit a full size hilt to a short blade to make the ensemble work with a full size sheath, I think it is reasonably likely that the practice is followed in other areas of the keris world. It’s the way I’m going, for sure. Sajen, I have already opened the sheath throat slightly to seat the blade so it no longer wobbles. As I thought it would, the aring side now fits very well so I have decided to carve a piece of wood to fill the gap on the dagu side. Your examples show me what to shoot for. Cutting the wood to fit isn’t really the problem. Color and figure (aka grain) matching the existing wood is where it gets dicey. Once the type of wood is selected, various staining methods can be tried out on scraps of the same wood. This narrows the odds a bit because you really only have one shot to get it right after the piece is cut to fit. It will take a while to get this project done but I’ll post the results when I finish. David, I can’t believe I neglected to give the blade length. It’s 8.5” (21.59 cm). Sincerely, RobT