keris, siraui or somethingg else?

rumpel9 · 28th February 2026, 09:53 AM

Hello everyone. I recently acquired this item. As far as I can tell, it originates from South Sumatra. However, I'm not entirely sure what its specific name is. I'm inclined to think it's a keris, as it has a pendokok and a Putri Malu handle. I might be wrong. What do you think?

Sajen · 28th February 2026, 12:01 PM

Hello Rumpel,

It's not a keris, it's in Palembang style, I would say that it belongs to the kerambit family. If we could call the handle as an effigy of Putra Malu is a little bit diputable. With a little bit of TLC your dagger will look much better. Interesting little dagger!

Regards,
Detlef

rumpel9 · Yesterday, 01:38 PM

Detlef, Thank you.

Sajen · Yesterday, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumpel9

Detlef, Thank you.

You're welcome! The wooden parts I would polish with a good oil, linseed, almond or walnut oil for example, the pendokok I would polish up and the blade as well, it would look much better. The handle I would turn by 45 degrees to the front.
When you ever want to part with it, just let me know!

Regards,
Detlef

David · Yesterday, 10:04 PM

I agree. It certainly is not a keris, even though it does have a keris hilt. The hilt may be a replacement, though i don't know what the orginal may have looked like. Nor is it a siraui, which does curve similar to this, but is a single sided blade. Detlef may be correct to place this in the kerambit family.

Sajen · Yesterday, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Nor is it a siraui, which does curve similar to this, but is a single sided blade.

Here is my siraui for comparison. David is correct, a siraui is always single edged.

Ian · Today, 11:41 AM

Would I be way off the mark to suggest that the OP is a khanjar variant? Double-edged, curved blade, central ridge.

28th February 2026, 09:53 AM	#1
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 70	keris, siraui or somethingg else? Hello everyone. I recently acquired this item. As far as I can tell, it originates from South Sumatra. However, I'm not entirely sure what its specific name is. I'm inclined to think it's a keris, as it has a pendokok and a Putri Malu handle. I might be wrong. What do you think? Attached Images

28th February 2026, 12:01 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,603	Hello Rumpel, It's not a keris, it's in Palembang style, I would say that it belongs to the kerambit family. If we could call the handle as an effigy of Putra Malu is a little bit diputable. With a little bit of TLC your dagger will look much better. Interesting little dagger! Regards, Detlef Attached Images

Yesterday, 01:38 PM	#3
rumpel9 Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 70	Detlef, Thank you.

Yesterday, 10:04 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,277	I agree. It certainly is not a keris, even though it does have a keris hilt. The hilt may be a replacement, though i don't know what the orginal may have looked like. Nor is it a siraui, which does curve similar to this, but is a single sided blade. Detlef may be correct to place this in the kerambit family.

Today, 11:41 AM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,668	Would I be way off the mark to suggest that the OP is a khanjar variant? Double-edged, curved blade, central ridge.