My new one
 

Hi folks
I was wondering if you would mind giving me your thoughts on this one.
The handle has been recovered with what appears to be nylon string but other than that it seems to be a nice piece but I would like to hear your thoughts
Thanks
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../aalamp062.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../aalamp063.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../aalamp064.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../aalamp066.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../aalamp072.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../aalamp070.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../aalamp067.jpg

Hi,

An elegant piece! The blade certainly has reasonably some age (early 20 c.)? I agree that the hilt wrapper has been coming in so much later time and I believe yor kris has saperate ganya and sea ivory pommel.

I cannot give any further comments on style or origin since my limited experience with Moro pieces, but I like the blade groove, very unique and adds the overall characters.

Any plan to etch the blade?

Thanks!

Great kris. I think the wrap on the hilt is Abaca fiber. Not that uncommon for wraps but usually woven (smaller diameters) & often covered with resin. Although the cord looks machine made, it's made by hand. I'd guess a latter replacement due to it's condition.

Thank You Folks
I do intend to etch the blade
Can you define sea ivory,would that be Walrus tusk or Whale Tooth ?
Also is the shape of the carving a Tucan or bird?

Alan, I think you have a nice piece. It is much older, although I agree that the wrapping is very recent. I would put it at possibly an early Maguindanao with elephant ivory. The ivory pommel is usually in the shape of a modified/stylized cockatu head, only in this case without the back crest. This is not unusual especially for earlier forms that used a smaller pommel according to Cato.

What throws me off is the type of blade fuller - never seen this on any Moro blade before now. :shrug:

Everything else appears right though. Yes etch it - I'm sure a pattern will come out.

Thank You Battara
I attempted etching and I know these would look great if I new what I was doing but here is the results of my inexperience
The new one with the fuller has gold on the tip and it runs part way down the fuller
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../aalamp073.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../aalamp089.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../aalamp090.jpg

Very nice. Is it gold or brass? Brass will react - darken upon etch. Gold won't react at all.

Thanks
It must be gold as it just remains golden and does not darken
The dot on the other might be brass as it does darken but then with just a gentle rub it looks like a mirror, it stays very shiny

Hello Alan,

Nice new aquisition and your other piece is just great!

How long are the blades? I'm not so sure about the Maguindanao attribution - what speaks against a Sulu blade, Jose?

I agree with Jose that this pommel looks like elephant ivory. (Sea ivory used by Moros is often from male Dugong but other sources are also known.)

Could it be that such an asymetrical, narrow fuller was inspired by colonial blades? I seem to remember 2 other kris with similarly unusual fuller.

You really have to be careful with ferric chloride! Ammonia is better for neutralizing in cracks and other crevices.

I'm very partial to cleaning and staining with weak vinegar since it is gentle on the blade and doesn't need any extra neutralization step - just thoroughly drying the blade (e.g. with the aid of a hair dryer) is needed. Try to heat the blade and vinegar for staining (after finishing cleaning, including all rust).
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...7&postcount=15
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...84&postcount=4

Regards,
Kai

Thanks Kia
The blades measured down the center fom the hilt to the tip are 20.25 and 21.38
I intend to clean and re etch using just viniger

I took another look at this - it might be Sulu, I'm just used to Sulu being a little more eliptical in the mouth, but it is possible....

Ah, glad to see the etched blade :)

IMHO I still think the pommel made of sea ivory. Probably difficult to define which sea ivory, but most poppular material is gigi ikan duyung (dugong). It has more glassy appearence compared to elephant ivory, and the natural hairline crack is different. :shrug: