Keris Selit

[Gustav]

While cleaning blades and making pictures I took some care of this Malay Keris Selit I have for a longer time already. It's from Northern Peninsula, 23,2 cm blade. A little bit unusual for KS because it's Pandai Saras type blade in a Saribulan sheath.

For years I thought it would be mono-steel, around or even post WWII. The blade retains file marks, running horizontal at the edges and vertical in Kruwingan (which isn't unusual, they are carefully done). After some hours in pineapple juice it became clear, that:

1) the blade is hardened (it's actually very sharp);

2) it was treated with Warangan;

3) it most probably is very finely laminated, but - it looks almost like sham. My photograph and etching skills are not good enough to show it properly, yet there are some hints even in my lousy pictures. It's also a bit difficult to see under the file work.

Gonjo perhaps could be from a different material.