Java dress questions and translation

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Superb, the work of a master.

In respect of the hilt.

We're used to seeing keris hilts in an agreed orientation.

That agreement is something that is correct for dress and it suits well the rapier grip.

However, the most useful grip for close combat is the reverse grip, that is, the grip that was used on the Keris Buda. This grip allows immense power to be delivered to the point, and is ideal for a situation where combat has become something like cage fighting, but one hand has a sharp pointy thing in it.

In fact, with the reverse grip you have several blows available with a single hand, you can punch, you can use the pommel, & you can use the blade.

With the reverse grip on a dagger you need to be able to support the edge of your hand, on a keris, the gonjo provides this support when the reverse grip is used.

A learned friend within these pages has also made reference to this reverse grip where the larger Kris/Sundang are concerned and that it is a "lost" grip for what of a better word, and your notations Alan support this. I suspect "lost" due to gentry over taking society. Where these larger brothers are concerned, I call it the sabre grip.

If I am reading your notes correctly, with reference to the grip, is it still holding the blade it the tradition position/orientation though... please correct me if I am wrong, this is what I feel when reading and handling the keris of this nature.

What I have also proposed in past conversations about the Keris, is that when in this orientation, to easily flip the orientation of the blade 180 degrees which is to also have a very positive grip in and and the application becomes a sabre which to me is the last hack and slash do or die, gotta get sh#t done aspect of melee... and having the gonjo protrude beyond the knuckles, this supports a devastating punch in melee combat...

Gavin