Bali Keris with 10 luks...?

[Athanase]

Hello everybody.

I recently bought this old (before WW2 I think) Bali Keris because I like the warangka. The seller told me that he had bought the contents of an attic with many objects from 1930's (and some weapons of various origins).
I have observed the kris before buying it, but I made a big mistake. I did not notice that the blade had an even number of waves (10).
The blade measures 35cm (37cm perhaps originally). I guess the blade had to be very rusty and is at last cleaned the 11th wave broke too damaged.

So it asks me a question:
When Indonesian restores a an old knife in very poor condition whose last wave was rusting out or broken.
- They keep a kris with an even number of wave?
- Or they remove a wave to keep an odd number?

:shrug: :confused:

[Rick]

bump

[David]

I'm not sure i would consider your oversight a "mistake" per se. Would you not have bought the keris if you noticed that. Generally speaking when we have even number luks it is a case where a luk was lost to erosion. I personally would not remove more material from this blade to create an 9-luk blade if it was mine.

[Athanase]

I don't intend to remove a luk to the keris because it's a part of its history.
But traditionally in this situation, which is the choice of Indonesians??

[Henk]

I agree with David. The only thing i would do is trying to get a warangan treatment. The missing luk doesn't bother me at all on this keris. It looks to me as a fine keris.

[Sajen]

Hello Athanase,

I don't think that a Balinese would come to the idea to remove a luk by this blade. And all Indonesians who are familiar with keris would count 11 luk by it, in the case by your blade it is more as clear that it is a 11 luk blade. But have seen other blades where you need more as imagination. :D :D ;)

Processed get blades where the edges are eaten by corrosion IMVHO.

Decent old Bali or Lombok blade, would like to see it stained.

Best regards,
Detlef

[A. G. Maisey]

Absolutely so Detlef.

[Sajen]

Absolutely so Detlef.


:) :)

[Athanase]

Thank you for your answers :)