Javanese Keris

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Green

when the subject of keris cleaning comes up and the word 'steel wool' is used, i cringe!
it's the last thing I want to disagree with Mr Maisey whom I and everybody here consider an expert , but for a beginner like myself to use steel wool to clean even rusty keris is probably a bit risky?

I've voiced in this forum several times that the westerners are wont to 'over clean' the blades into shiny surface, whereas most locals (at least in Malaysia) prefer to leave the blade in the original texture which is usually somewhat grainy almost like v fine sandpaper texture. Hence the usual mode of aggresive cleaning is merely using hard tootbrush after a long dip in coconut juice or merely clean it with lime juice with hard rub with thumb and finger? (that's how i saw Bugis people clean their keris anyway).

Here is an example of what I consider an over cleaned blade into v shiny and smooth surface which may not rust again for a 100 years ... however i think this blade (mine) is already damaged especially the edges of the grooves and spine look abraded?

Can anyone suggest what I should do ? either to leave it as it is (as one keris maker here in Kelantan suggested) or restore the texture by dipping in acid like how the keris makers treat their blades as the final finish?

Hello Green,

I am in the moment a little bit handicapt since I was falling today and my left shoulder joint was dislocated and i still have problems to use both hands, i just return from hospital.
I don't think that someone will be able to destroy a keris blade with steel wool, special when you follow the good instruction from Alan.
Second, special many Peninsula blades I've seen have had smooth surfaces and not a grainy one. Also Bugis keris, when well maintained over decades show a very smooth surface. And your panjang (?, I don't know how long it is) isn't overcleaned so far i can see it from the pictures. When you don't like it like this let the blade bath in mild acid like coconut water or lemon juice. The edges of the grooves maybe not sharp anymore because the blade is old and was cleaned several times.
The keris blade in question shows active red rust which need to be removed and Alan has given a very good advice, a complete new warangan will hurt the blade more as to clean it carefully like advised. All just my opinion.

Salam,
Detlef

[rasdan]

Hi Green,

I think Alan was referring to removing spots of rust, not sanding down the blade. The use of fine steel wool IMHO is safe as long as you don't press too hard. You soften the rust with oil and rub. Leave it with oil and gently rub again until you remove the rust. Very tedious but to me it shows our love to that particular keris.

Rasdan

edit: Sorry I didn't notice Detlief had addressed the concern above.