Appreciation of Palembang hilt

Newsteel · 23rd February 2009, 12:48 AM

A friend ever brought a similar ivory piece to a late mastercarver in Kelantan (northern Malaysia) and hope to seek some pointers how a mranggi would achieved something like this. The explaination he got was pretty simple - he (the mranggi or carver) is very skillful and definite got his special knife or tools in order to carve like that.

asomotif · 24th February 2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

definite got his special knife or tools in order to carve like that.

What I am looking for is some differences between carving the old way and 'carving' with dental / drills.

This specific hilt has some very fine lines and curls that end 'pointed'.
I assume that with only a dental drill this would not be possible... ?

lemmythesmith · 24th February 2009, 10:09 PM

Hi all, I'm carving a Bali togogan in ivory at the moment and I use a dremel with dental type burrs to get the outline and then refine any cuts (if they need a pointed end to them) with small knives and awls. Newsteel-that hilt is fantastic!

asomotif · 24th February 2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

I'm carving a Bali togogan in ivory

Dear Lemmy (?),

Interesting. could you post some pictures of your carving.
I think it would be intersting to see what a dermel can do and what traditional tools than can add to that.

Best regards,
Willem

David · 25th February 2009, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

What I am looking for is some differences between carving the old way and 'carving' with dental / drills.

This specific hilt has some very fine lines and curls that end 'pointed'.
I assume that with only a dental drill this would not be possible... ?

Willem, i don't imagine that any good modern craftsman would only use a dremel when doing this type of work. I am fairly sure that some hand tools would also come into play.

lemmythesmith · 25th February 2009, 10:41 PM

Hi Willem, here's some snaps of how he looks roughed out with an angle grinder, dremel with milling cutters/burrs and then with a little work with knives. I still have some to do with the dremel yet-I've been trying to get his hands right using fine blades to make his fingers/pancanaka thumb.

He's 125mm overall including selut.

Rick · 25th February 2009, 11:16 PM

Lemmy, you blow my mind .

WoW !

asomotif · 26th February 2009, 08:37 AM

Lemmy,

Impressive already even in this unfinished state.
Would love to see the further prorgess in due time.

The selut is silver ?

Best regards,
Willem

lemmythesmith · 26th February 2009, 05:39 PM

Thanks guys!!

Yes, the selut is silver-the stones will be star rubies. Still a lot of work to do on this keris!

25th February 2009, 10:41 PM	#6
lemmythesmith Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 93	Hi Willem, here's some snaps of how he looks roughed out with an angle grinder, dremel with milling cutters/burrs and then with a little work with knives. I still have some to do with the dremel yet-I've been trying to get his hands right using fine blades to make his fingers/pancanaka thumb. He's 125mm overall including selut. Attached Images

23rd February 2009, 12:48 AM	#1
Newsteel Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 132	A friend ever brought a similar ivory piece to a late mastercarver in Kelantan (northern Malaysia) and hope to seek some pointers how a mranggi would achieved something like this. The explaination he got was pretty simple - he (the mranggi or carver) is very skillful and definite got his special knife or tools in order to carve like that.

24th February 2009, 10:09 PM	#3
lemmythesmith Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 93	Hi all, I'm carving a Bali togogan in ivory at the moment and I use a dremel with dental type burrs to get the outline and then refine any cuts (if they need a pointed end to them) with small knives and awls. Newsteel-that hilt is fantastic!

25th February 2009, 11:16 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,268	Lemmy, you blow my mind . WoW !

26th February 2009, 08:37 AM	#8
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Lemmy, Impressive already even in this unfinished state. Would love to see the further prorgess in due time. The selut is silver ? Best regards, Willem

26th February 2009, 05:39 PM	#9
lemmythesmith Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 93	Thanks guys!! Yes, the selut is silver-the stones will be star rubies. Still a lot of work to do on this keris!