Keep in mind though Ronpakis that the entire Straits of Melaka is a hodge podge of different styles and different bits and pieces. These people were anything but sedentary and travelled up and down the Straits extensively.
Certainly there are definite styles in South, East and North Sumatra but never be surprised to find a S. Sumatran blade dressed in Riau style or a Riau blade dressed in Deli style or any other possible combination on and on ad infinitum. East Sumatra and much of the West coast of the Malay Peninsula is particularly bad. I like to use a general category of the Straits keris. This can be further broken down into Straits Bugis, Straits Malay and Straits Minang based on the general characteristics. But one thing is certain, there are no hard and fast rules - and if there is a hard and fast rule, it is to be prepared to be surprised.
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