Assistance for a keris novice

[shayde78]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Neither would most other collectors in this day & age, Jean.

But things were different in the past.

If this blade is the result of an alteration, it is most definitely not a recent alteration, its old.

As for untouched Tuban blades of the giganticous ilk, well, they have all but disappeared, and when they do surface they bring a very good price, because of their rarity, a rarity caused in the large part by being altered to satisfy the market.

Something similar happened with Balinese blades, nearer to our own time.

AG,
You state that the blade is old with such certainty. I would love to learn how such a determination is made from the photos provided. Is it the pamor, the condition, or just hard earned experience?

Also, to piggyback on yuuzan, are there pics available of a legit Tuban blade?

[A. G. Maisey]

A post in the wrong hole.

[A. G. Maisey]

Its just experience Shadye.

+60 years worth.

That plus the fact that I've handled literally thousands of blades and have been taught by probably the best and most knowledgeable teachers of their generation, two of whom were Surakarta Karaton Empus.

There is a good Tuban blade shown in this thread, and Jean has shown a pic of one of the super-size Tuban blades:-

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22862

[shayde78]

Thanks again, AG.
I had found that turban thread too. Some properly beautiful examples.

There isn't much to provide scale in those pics...but it appears the blades have a more or less uniform lozenge-shaped cross section. That seems different from the piece in question, no? Could mine have been subjected to some serious stock removal?

[A. G. Maisey]

How do you reckon this blade might have looked before it was carved with a naga, Shayde?

Whether it was carved from an old Tuban, or some other old, beefy blade, or whether it was forged with the intent of carving it with a naga, it is absolutely certain that the cross section was way different to what you can see now.

[shayde78]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

How do you reckon this blade might have looked before it was carved with a naga, Shayde?

Whether it was carved from an old Tuban, or some other old, beefy blade, or whether it was forged with the intent of carving it with a naga, it is absolutely certain that the cross section was way different to what you can see now.

I don't have an answer, other than to note the blade is now thin (compared to a tuban), so a great deal of material must have been removed. Seems like a loss

[David]

Originally Posted by shayde78

Seems like a loss

Generally speaking it is...