Keris gamble, fingers crossed?

Tim Simmons · 9th April 2007, 06:52 PM

The blade is lovely. It seems to have had a hard life in the hands of a previous owner. I can see the problem, the hole in the handle is just to large. So the resort to glue. The picture looking up the tang shows that it is all stuffed up with muck which is easier to see in the flesh. The tang being so short and tapered it really needs a new handle.
I have put more glue muck in the handle but still cannot get acceptable pressure on the tang with such a large hole.

Rick · 9th April 2007, 08:17 PM

Tim, a clever guy like you should be able to figger a way to extend/strengthen that tang ..

I like the keris.

Michel · 9th April 2007, 08:54 PM

Tim,
Do not work on the peksi, (the tang), it is very difficult and you may deteriorate it. Your problem is simple: a too big hole in the the Ukiran (handle). Stuff it with a neat piece of hard wood, that you glue properly. Then you drill a new hole into it of the correct diameter (1 tenth of a milimeter smaller than your peksi) You will fix the ukiran without glue and without problem.
Do not be disappointed with your keris. The blade looks good and the sheath and handle are very traditional and seems to be well done.
Smile you have a nice collectible kris.
Regards
Michel

David · 9th April 2007, 08:54 PM

Tim, your pesi is short, but i have seen shorter and made a solid fit. If i were you i would remove all the "glue muck" from the hilt. This is not the right way to form a pressure fit with the pesi. You do not need a new hilt. You just need to mount it properly. Find some soft cottony material and wrap it 'round and 'round the pesi until you built up enough bulk that it fits snuggly in the hole. A thin strip cut to about a foot might be enough to do the trick. If the pesi length really is too short you can probably attach a piece to lengthen it. This is done traditionally to keris sometimes in these cases.
I don't think this keris has had so much a hard life as a long one. The wear on your blade is common for it's age group.

9th April 2007, 06:52 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	The blade is lovely. It seems to have had a hard life in the hands of a previous owner. I can see the problem, the hole in the handle is just to large. So the resort to glue. The picture looking up the tang shows that it is all stuffed up with muck which is easier to see in the flesh. The tang being so short and tapered it really needs a new handle. I have put more glue muck in the handle but still cannot get acceptable pressure on the tang with such a large hole.

9th April 2007, 08:17 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Tim, a clever guy like you should be able to figger a way to extend/strengthen that tang .. I like the keris.

9th April 2007, 08:54 PM	#3
Michel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Switzerland Posts: 139	Tim, Do not work on the peksi, (the tang), it is very difficult and you may deteriorate it. Your problem is simple: a too big hole in the the Ukiran (handle). Stuff it with a neat piece of hard wood, that you glue properly. Then you drill a new hole into it of the correct diameter (1 tenth of a milimeter smaller than your peksi) You will fix the ukiran without glue and without problem. Do not be disappointed with your keris. The blade looks good and the sheath and handle are very traditional and seems to be well done. Smile you have a nice collectible kris. Regards Michel

9th April 2007, 08:54 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	Tim, your pesi is short, but i have seen shorter and made a solid fit. If i were you i would remove all the "glue muck" from the hilt. This is not the right way to form a pressure fit with the pesi. You do not need a new hilt. You just need to mount it properly. Find some soft cottony material and wrap it 'round and 'round the pesi until you built up enough bulk that it fits snuggly in the hole. A thin strip cut to about a foot might be enough to do the trick. If the pesi length really is too short you can probably attach a piece to lengthen it. This is done traditionally to keris sometimes in these cases. I don't think this keris has had so much a hard life as a long one. The wear on your blade is common for it's age group.