Unusual color on Kris blade

Robert · 4th January 2009, 05:52 PM

Hi Spunjer,
The only thing that I have ever seen like this before was a dagger. It had a steel core that included the tang with a nickel bronze, not brass overlay. Is there any place one the blade where you could test it to see if it is bronze without doing any damage? Maybe you could remove the grip and if the blade has a separate gangya you could test it in between where it wouldn't show. What ever it turns out to be it is a very interesting piece.

Robert

Amuk Murugul · 4th January 2009, 08:58 PM

Hullo everybody,

I don't know whether it's the same thing, but here it is:

I have a moro kris which had a similar colour to yours and felt like some kind of plastic film. I wasn't too concerned at the time, as I was more concerned with getting rid of some rust spots on it. I brushed the blade with citric acid. After a while, not only did the rust spots clear,but so did the green /olive film/coating. It's not 100% clear at the moment but it probably will be the next time I wash it.

Best,

Spunjer · 4th January 2009, 09:37 PM

thanks all, for the comments! my concern regarding this blade is whether it was done deliberately to look like this, or was it applied artificially, accidental or otherwise.
i took some closeups using natural lighting. i did notice that there was a couple spots in the katik where it was coming off. at the moment, i'm kinda partial into being done deliberately. it's too uniform throughout the blade. even on the smallest parts, such as the elephant's trunk, is covered with whatever it is. also the edges appeared to have been sharpened after it was applied. robert, the overlay sounds interesting. kinda like plating perhaps?

it started to drizzle...

Robert · 4th January 2009, 09:46 PM

Spunjer,
Yes, like electra-plate. Very smooth as if it was polished after being applied but with the same aged look as the blade you have posted.

Robert

Amuk Murugul · 4th January 2009, 11:14 PM

Hullo everybody,

Yes I agree. It looked very evenly and deliberately applied. The only metal showing were a few spots at the crest of waves where it looked like they had been rubbing against the inside of the scabbard over years of in/out motion. That's why I wasn't concerned. I was very glad it was there, as it preserved the blade and the inlay in mint condition. Similar to the "blue" on a Marsose Klewang

Best,

Rick · 4th January 2009, 11:58 PM

It almost looks like a coat of shellac, varnish or maybe linseed oil .

asomotif · 5th January 2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

shellac, varnish or maybe linseed oil

That is my idea too.

4th January 2009, 05:52 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hi Spunjer, The only thing that I have ever seen like this before was a dagger. It had a steel core that included the tang with a nickel bronze, not brass overlay. Is there any place one the blade where you could test it to see if it is bronze without doing any damage? Maybe you could remove the grip and if the blade has a separate gangya you could test it in between where it wouldn't show. What ever it turns out to be it is a very interesting piece. Robert

4th January 2009, 08:58 PM	#2
Amuk Murugul Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben Posts: 472	Hullo everybody, I don't know whether it's the same thing, but here it is: I have a moro kris which had a similar colour to yours and felt like some kind of plastic film. I wasn't too concerned at the time, as I was more concerned with getting rid of some rust spots on it. I brushed the blade with citric acid. After a while, not only did the rust spots clear,but so did the green /olive film/coating. It's not 100% clear at the moment but it probably will be the next time I wash it. Best,

4th January 2009, 09:37 PM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	thanks all, for the comments! my concern regarding this blade is whether it was done deliberately to look like this, or was it applied artificially, accidental or otherwise. i took some closeups using natural lighting. i did notice that there was a couple spots in the katik where it was coming off. at the moment, i'm kinda partial into being done deliberately. it's too uniform throughout the blade. even on the smallest parts, such as the elephant's trunk, is covered with whatever it is. also the edges appeared to have been sharpened after it was applied. robert, the overlay sounds interesting. kinda like plating perhaps? it started to drizzle...

4th January 2009, 09:46 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Spunjer, Yes, like electra-plate. Very smooth as if it was polished after being applied but with the same aged look as the blade you have posted. Robert

4th January 2009, 11:14 PM	#5
Amuk Murugul Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben Posts: 472	Hullo everybody, Yes I agree. It looked very evenly and deliberately applied. The only metal showing were a few spots at the crest of waves where it looked like they had been rubbing against the inside of the scabbard over years of in/out motion. That's why I wasn't concerned. I was very glad it was there, as it preserved the blade and the inlay in mint condition. Similar to the "blue" on a Marsose Klewang Best,

4th January 2009, 11:58 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	It almost looks like a coat of shellac, varnish or maybe linseed oil .