My first keris

BluErf · 29th January 2007, 01:46 PM

Hi Steve,

Congratulations on your first keris! May there be more in the future.

It's interesting that you started out with a Palembang keris; most people (me included) start out with Javanese/Madura Muda kerises, being seduced by the flashiness (no offence to Javanese kerises and collectors

). However, I grew to appreciate Bugis/Malay/Sumatran kerises for the tough iron/steel used in their construction, the simple but functional forging, the tempering which hardens 70% of the blade, the confident feel in the hand, and not forgetting the fiery-grained kemuning wood used to make the sheath and hilt.

In my opinion, Palembang kerises marry the sturdiness of Bugis kerises with the grace of Javanese kerises. And they have some of the finest carved hilt forms of the keris world.

What is it in this keris that caught your eye?

29th January 2007, 01:46 PM	#4
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi Steve, Congratulations on your first keris! May there be more in the future. It's interesting that you started out with a Palembang keris; most people (me included) start out with Javanese/Madura Muda kerises, being seduced by the flashiness (no offence to Javanese kerises and collectors ). However, I grew to appreciate Bugis/Malay/Sumatran kerises for the tough iron/steel used in their construction, the simple but functional forging, the tempering which hardens 70% of the blade, the confident feel in the hand, and not forgetting the fiery-grained kemuning wood used to make the sheath and hilt. In my opinion, Palembang kerises marry the sturdiness of Bugis kerises with the grace of Javanese kerises. And they have some of the finest carved hilt forms of the keris world. What is it in this keris that caught your eye?