unusual gayaman

[Marcokeris]

This Yogya gayaman is unusual: it is made by coconut wood and the result is rather good.

[Rick]

I like it !! :)
A very nice effect with the end grain exposed.

[Newsteel]

That is rather unusual, not common. Normally coconut trunk were used for other purposes like musical instruments (rebana drum), part of the house, household items, decorations and etc.. but never for wrangka (or should I say, I've never seen it before). This 'pokka dot pattern' is obtained from the trunk near base area just above the root. This part is were the wood is the strongest.

[BluErf]

Ooh, I'm getting dizzy looking at it. :p

[Alam Shah]

Unique and nice. :) Correct me if I'm wrong, the material is not a preferred wood for a wrangka. But nevertheless, in this case, its is nicely executed. I like it. ;)

Based on my experience with similar material, in time, the whiter part of the wood would shrink a little and the blacker 'dots', being a stronger material would sort of 'protrude' a little, making the surface a bit rough to the touch. That is through use, but in this case it might take quite a while since it would not be subjected to daily use.

[Marcokeris]

Newsteel:
thank you a lot for your comment about the kind of wood.

Alam:
The surface is really a little rough to the touch

[Rick]

A novel use for this wood but by no means a classic material for the wrangka.

[BluErf]

In Northern Malay kerises, though the coconut trunk would not be used to make any part of the sheath, the coconut itself could be used to make the buntut. Apparently, the coconut is chosen because it has a certain number of 'eyes', which has some mystical significance. I have 1 such keris. Will try to post some pictures.

Meanwhile, here's a ladle carved from a coconut. Carves surprisingly well.