Bali keris hilt - to glue or thread?

nechesh · 13th October 2005, 02:13 AM

Gee Ariel, why don't you tell us what you really think about us "Kris people". I trust this was not meant with any derogatory intention.

No offense taken.

Marto is, of course, right. Other more "fixed" methods of hilt attachment have been used. I had always heard of pitch being used. Is that the same stuff as the damar you mention Marto? Certainly it would make sense that any keris that might end up being used martially would need to have a well adhered handle to be at all useful. But as Marto points out, these other materials used are not nearly as permanent as epoxy of the dreaded

Crazy Glue.

Just heat and gentle manipulation will free the blade.
The keris seems a fairly unique weapon (in many ways really) in that the removal and changability of many of it's parts (hilt, mendak, wrongko) are actually a part of the culture surrounding the blade, whether to signify some reward or added prominence in life or the changing of hands from one owner to the next. And as Henk points out, regular cleansing ceromonies require the blade be removed from the hilt.
Wow, i actually got through this entire post without using a horror icon!

........damn!

Andrew · 13th October 2005, 03:49 AM

An interesting and helpful thread. I'd love to see it stay open, gentlemen.

BluErf · 13th October 2005, 06:24 PM

Use thick nylon thread. Nylon thread repels moisture, unlike cotton cloth or thread, which actually absorbs moisture. And we all know what moisture does to kerises...

marto suwignyo · 13th October 2005, 11:02 PM

Nylon does not compress.

It even more dangerous to use nylon than to use cloth.

My recommendation was for wool. That is wool as produced by sheep.

kai · 14th October 2005, 10:02 AM

Wool may be better in a humid climate than cotton but also more prone to insect damage... How about using synthetic "wool" threads (made from nylon or some other plastic)? [I guess this is what BluErf meant with "thick nylon threads" rather than solid angling line.]

However, I doubt that the wrapping material makes any difference for those of us with indoor humidity of, say, around 70% or lower (and fairly stable temperatures).

Regards,
Kai

BluErf · 14th October 2005, 04:38 PM

Yes, the thick nylon thread I was referring to is not the clear angling sort. It is made up of many smaller strands twisted together to get a thicker thread. It can be compressed.

I guess the point is that regardless of material used to wrap the peksi, the wrapping must provide some tolerance -- i.e. a snug fit, but the hilt can be twisted without too much effort.

Picture of the thick nylon thread I was referring to.

VANDOO · 14th October 2005, 05:16 PM

HEE HEE !! THIS IS A INFORMATIVE AND FUN THREAD, I GUESS WE DO GET EMOTIONAL ABOUT OUR TREASURES. I CAN IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE ASKED IF THEY SHOULD USE THE FINE WHEEL OR THE COARSE ONE ON THEIR BENCH GRINDER TO CLEAN THEIR GREAT GRANDFATHERS ANTIQUE SWORD COLLECTION AND MAKE THE BLADES SHINEY AGAIN.

14th October 2005, 04:38 PM	#6
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Yes, the thick nylon thread I was referring to is not the clear angling sort. It is made up of many smaller strands twisted together to get a thicker thread. It can be compressed. I guess the point is that regardless of material used to wrap the peksi, the wrapping must provide some tolerance -- i.e. a snug fit, but the hilt can be twisted without too much effort. Picture of the thick nylon thread I was referring to. Attached Images

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13th October 2005, 02:13 AM	#1
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Gee Ariel, why don't you tell us what you really think about us "Kris people". I trust this was not meant with any derogatory intention. No offense taken. Marto is, of course, right. Other more "fixed" methods of hilt attachment have been used. I had always heard of pitch being used. Is that the same stuff as the damar you mention Marto? Certainly it would make sense that any keris that might end up being used martially would need to have a well adhered handle to be at all useful. But as Marto points out, these other materials used are not nearly as permanent as epoxy of the dreaded Crazy Glue. Just heat and gentle manipulation will free the blade. The keris seems a fairly unique weapon (in many ways really) in that the removal and changability of many of it's parts (hilt, mendak, wrongko) are actually a part of the culture surrounding the blade, whether to signify some reward or added prominence in life or the changing of hands from one owner to the next. And as Henk points out, regular cleansing ceromonies require the blade be removed from the hilt. Wow, i actually got through this entire post without using a horror icon! ........damn!

13th October 2005, 03:49 AM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	An interesting and helpful thread. I'd love to see it stay open, gentlemen.

13th October 2005, 06:24 PM	#3
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Use thick nylon thread. Nylon thread repels moisture, unlike cotton cloth or thread, which actually absorbs moisture. And we all know what moisture does to kerises...

13th October 2005, 11:02 PM	#4
marto suwignyo Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 52	Nylon does not compress. It even more dangerous to use nylon than to use cloth. My recommendation was for wool. That is wool as produced by sheep.

14th October 2005, 10:02 AM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Wool may be better in a humid climate than cotton but also more prone to insect damage... How about using synthetic "wool" threads (made from nylon or some other plastic)? [I guess this is what BluErf meant with "thick nylon threads" rather than solid angling line.] However, I doubt that the wrapping material makes any difference for those of us with indoor humidity of, say, around 70% or lower (and fairly stable temperatures). Regards, Kai

14th October 2005, 05:16 PM	#7
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	HEE HEE !! THIS IS A INFORMATIVE AND FUN THREAD, I GUESS WE DO GET EMOTIONAL ABOUT OUR TREASURES. I CAN IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE ASKED IF THEY SHOULD USE THE FINE WHEEL OR THE COARSE ONE ON THEIR BENCH GRINDER TO CLEAN THEIR GREAT GRANDFATHERS ANTIQUE SWORD COLLECTION AND MAKE THE BLADES SHINEY AGAIN.