Discussion: Skinny-bladed Moro Kris?

ThePepperSkull · 26th August 2009, 07:03 PM

Hello all! My Name is Dave and I'm new to this forum. I come because of current members Kukulza28, Ferguson, and Bill Marsh, who have repeated countless times how interesting and informative this forum can be.

I'd like to start my initial post by inquiring about something. My interests in Moro weapons leads me to wonder about a less than common style of kris, one with a blade that is less broad than what is typically the norm. Another striking characteristic involes the tip, as a lot of them seem to be more pointed than the rounded tips of the broader blades. What are its origins? Does it predate the more commonly seen broad bladed kris, or is it a characteristic of a certain group of moro tribe? I once read that this certain type is a 'transition' from the indonesian style kris to the one we're familiar with the moros using. Is there any truth to this?

Perhaps it would help if I posted some pictures of reference for discussion purposes. Here are pictures I have compiled of this variety of kris over the years. I have found at least three varieties:

This one we'll call "Type 1" for classification purposes. The waves are spread out wider and run up the kris further. Typically I see that there are five waves but this sstyle could exceed that number. The talismanic symbols at the base of the blade are very reminiscent of an indonesian Keris, being more like deep and thin fullers (or 'bloodgrooves' or however you woiuld label them) rather than shallow and wider engravings:

Next is what i will label as "Type 2". I'm not sure if these are younger or older than type 1 kris, but they're intersting to see. They typically have the same characteristics of Type 1 but with Three Waves instead of five or more:

Last is what I believe to be the youngest of these kris. I'll label these type 3. The talismanic engravings in the middle base of the blade here seem more shallow than type 1, Are shorter and wider, and end more abruptly; sometimes ending in rectangular ends rather than a gradual slope to a point. This seems more typical of the more recent kris except that these kris are, again, skinny bladed:

Any thoughts? Comments? Insights? I would love to pick oll of your brains and hear what you have to say.

26th August 2009, 07:03 PM	#1
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Discussion: Skinny-bladed Moro Kris? Hello all! My Name is Dave and I'm new to this forum. I come because of current members Kukulza28, Ferguson, and Bill Marsh, who have repeated countless times how interesting and informative this forum can be. I'd like to start my initial post by inquiring about something. My interests in Moro weapons leads me to wonder about a less than common style of kris, one with a blade that is less broad than what is typically the norm. Another striking characteristic involes the tip, as a lot of them seem to be more pointed than the rounded tips of the broader blades. What are its origins? Does it predate the more commonly seen broad bladed kris, or is it a characteristic of a certain group of moro tribe? I once read that this certain type is a 'transition' from the indonesian style kris to the one we're familiar with the moros using. Is there any truth to this? Perhaps it would help if I posted some pictures of reference for discussion purposes. Here are pictures I have compiled of this variety of kris over the years. I have found at least three varieties: This one we'll call "Type 1" for classification purposes. The waves are spread out wider and run up the kris further. Typically I see that there are five waves but this sstyle could exceed that number. The talismanic symbols at the base of the blade are very reminiscent of an indonesian Keris, being more like deep and thin fullers (or 'bloodgrooves' or however you woiuld label them) rather than shallow and wider engravings: Next is what i will label as "Type 2". I'm not sure if these are younger or older than type 1 kris, but they're intersting to see. They typically have the same characteristics of Type 1 but with Three Waves instead of five or more: Last is what I believe to be the youngest of these kris. I'll label these type 3. The talismanic engravings in the middle base of the blade here seem more shallow than type 1, Are shorter and wider, and end more abruptly; sometimes ending in rectangular ends rather than a gradual slope to a point. This seems more typical of the more recent kris except that these kris are, again, skinny bladed: Any thoughts? Comments? Insights? I would love to pick oll of your brains and hear what you have to say. Last edited by ThePepperSkull; 26th August 2009 at 07:32 PM.