Technically, the keris panjang does not have a picetan. At least most don't; they have that small circular cavity cut into the gandik area.
Furthermore, the form of the keris panjang blade does not aid slashing. It is long but narrow, and is seldom very sharp along the edges; a decently broad and sharp blade would have facilitated slashing. Also, while there are robust panjangs, there are also a substantial number of flimsy bladed ones, some barely longer than 18 inches.
The thing that really makes me dismiss the rapier-vs-panjang idea is the fact that the only time you see a panjang is during a ceremony involving some sultan or raja, such as coronation ceremonies. You don't see it being carried around by during normal every day life.
And of course, there is no record of a fight involving a keris panjang. Only of a keris panjang being used to execute high ranking criminals.
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