Upkeeping of Keris

Jayaningkurnia · Today, 06:17 AM

I have been reading through past threads on keris upkeeping and found valuable advice on cleaning methods, warangan mixes, and alternatives for keris oil based on the experiments of seniors here. Very helpful as I started on my collecting journey and now building my own upkeeping regime.

Being a (admittedly nominal) Javanese, I understand that it is common for pusaka to be cleaned (jamasan/'bathed') once a year, commonly on the Islamic/Javanese new year (1 Suro).

This process typically entails full-on cleaning using various brushes and soaps, mutih (the use of acid from lime or noni fruit) and warangan (the use of aqueous arsenic solution). Which seems to me doing more harm than good to the pusaka given the amount of abrasion and corrosion done unto the blade (every year), especially if the pusaka that have been kept in controlled environment and regularly cleaned/brushed+oiled to begin with.

Based on the above thinking, I am leaning towards skipping the annual jamasan altogether and keep a more regular brushing and oiling once a month or so.

Seeking views/input from more experienced seniors here on whether there's anything I am missing by skipping the annual jamasan ritual? Is there any impact (esoteric wise perhaps?).

I have been experimenting with making an oil mix for my keris - current blend of 86% mineral oil (USP15), 7% sandalwood oil, 3% patchouli, 2% champaca and 2% cananga oil. It seems to dryout rather quickly and the patchouli scent is too strong (will remove this from the mix). Any suggestion on a better base oil and/or ingredients? (I heard about oil from gading coconut/cocos nucifera var. eburnea - anyone has tried this?)

Today, 06:17 AM	#1
Jayaningkurnia Member Join Date: Nov 2025 Location: Singapore Posts: 17	Upkeeping of Keris I have been reading through past threads on keris upkeeping and found valuable advice on cleaning methods, warangan mixes, and alternatives for keris oil based on the experiments of seniors here. Very helpful as I started on my collecting journey and now building my own upkeeping regime. Being a (admittedly nominal) Javanese, I understand that it is common for pusaka to be cleaned (jamasan/'bathed') once a year, commonly on the Islamic/Javanese new year (1 Suro). This process typically entails full-on cleaning using various brushes and soaps, mutih (the use of acid from lime or noni fruit) and warangan (the use of aqueous arsenic solution). Which seems to me doing more harm than good to the pusaka given the amount of abrasion and corrosion done unto the blade (every year), especially if the pusaka that have been kept in controlled environment and regularly cleaned/brushed+oiled to begin with. Based on the above thinking, I am leaning towards skipping the annual jamasan altogether and keep a more regular brushing and oiling once a month or so. Seeking views/input from more experienced seniors here on whether there's anything I am missing by skipping the annual jamasan ritual? Is there any impact (esoteric wise perhaps?). I have been experimenting with making an oil mix for my keris - current blend of 86% mineral oil (USP15), 7% sandalwood oil, 3% patchouli, 2% champaca and 2% cananga oil. It seems to dryout rather quickly and the patchouli scent is too strong (will remove this from the mix). Any suggestion on a better base oil and/or ingredients? (I heard about oil from gading coconut/cocos nucifera var. eburnea - anyone has tried this?)