Maranao Sundang

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by baganing_balyan

a maranao datu with a tourist's punyal? No comment.

I can go on and on with the designs of that maranao kris, but it's a waste of time. I find no academic merit in talking about it.

Yeah, right...

Originally Posted by baganing_balyan

Even the patina is very telling. I would rather shut up though since I have no interest in antique collection and in knowing what's real and what is not

Hmmm... good idea. I guess you'll still a long way off, in old weapons appreciation.

Originally Posted by baganing_balyan

In cultural preservation's point of view, selling fake or replica is fine. It preserves the real cultural artifacts within the community. It is also good to sell real ones to serious collectors so hopefully when they die they can donate their collection to a museum.

Fake or not, I don't really care.

Hmmm... I sense 'something' in your writing... I guess, if an authentic piece that is well-maintain outside the Phillipines, you'll still have your doubt with its authenticity. .

Oh! btw Bill, that's a nice piece you have there, even with the repair.

[baganing_balyan]

can you not see the welding dots just above the katik on the second pic?

Now, compare that to the second kris, which I think is old and older.

Now tell me why it's old. Educate me.

[baganing_balyan]

also, study the surface of the blade. If it's grainier, then it's not older. Sharpening a snaky kris with no distinct design or pamor on both sides also makes the area near the center of the blade smooth. the blade just looks new to me.

don't tell me you want me to elaborate more on the handle which is the most problematic one.

[kai]

Hello Miya,

also, study the surface of the blade. If it's grainier, then it's not older.

This blade has been etched with ferric chloride which is more agressive than coconut water or other traditional etchants used in SE Asia.

I agree that a Moro warrior would have kept his kris in better polish and only lightly etched. However, long-time storage has taken its toll with some of the old blades (neglected by US veterans as well as by less blade-savy Filipinos) - so it's quite common to find genuine antique kris with various forms of corrosion; if gently cleaned rather than polished, the surface will look grainy.

Regards,
Kai

[baganing_balyan]

I am interested to know how the mindanao muslims long ago came up with Ferric Chloride. I did not know there was chemistry already in the Philippines then. I wish we were that scientifically advanced, Americans would not have slaughtered so many Moros in the name of manifest destiny.

[Spunjer]

Originally Posted by baganing_balyan

I am interested to know how the mindanao muslims long ago came up with Ferric Chloride. I did not know there was chemistry already in the Philippines then. I wish we were that scientifically advanced, Americans would not have slaughtered so many Moros in the name of manifest destiny.

radio shack?

hoy, he meant it was etch recently with ferric chloride.

Old krises do not have varnished ratan strips if they were used as decorative bands. The handle head was also varnished.

here's a kris brought back in 1901

...and panabas in that same collection


see? it's varnished

[Bill M]

Ron,

Meant to say earlier that I am also glad to see you back! You have a lot to contribute.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

radio shack?

ROTFLMAO !!
Great to see you're back Ron ..


Rick