New Keris Owner

scatteredminds · 18th May 2006, 03:13 AM

Does anyone know I can/should clean the blade. I am such a newb that I am afraid I will damage the blade. Does anyone know someone in Winnipeg or Canada for that matter that does cleaning professionally. Sorry about the picture quality. My sons digital is not great. When I can find a better camera I will take more pictures.

Rick · 18th May 2006, 03:40 AM

The blade is fine .
The pictures ......... well

We really need to see the entire pattern on each side of the blade in focus .

For care of the blade ...
A little keris oil maybe ; no more than that for now .

BTW , if you're going to pursue your interest in keris please buy from reputable dealers rather than electronic auctions .

doecon · 18th May 2006, 04:49 AM

It doesnt really look as a 500USD, keris. I'm sorry. Its rather a common type, might be a bit older, but that doesnt make it special. As mentioned before, you can find some prices of similar pieces in the closed items section of eBay.

Just accept the fact that you have helped the "guard" to support his family and you did a good thing by stimulating local economy.

I agree with Rick, dont buy from just anyone offering you a keris. Especially not in a tourist area (of course).

Disagree about the online auctions, I think you have some very good offers on eBay from respectable sellers. But be carefull who you buy from.

Alam Shah · 18th May 2006, 05:39 AM

The fittings, hilt (or ukiran) and sheath (or warangka) is in Yogyakarta Gayaman form. As said before, for everyday use.

About the blade, the ganja area (the other piece, lower part of the blade), seems to have some age to it with some worn-down area. The ganja has Pamor Mas Kemambang, i think. I'm no expert.

Overall, a slightly above average piece in good condition.

A little oil to prevent rust would be sufficient for now.

doecon said...

Quote:

It doesnt really look as a 500USD, keris. I'm sorry. Its rather a common type, might be a bit older, but that doesnt make it special. As mentioned before, you can find some prices of similar pieces in the closed items section of eBay.

No need to rub it in doecon... Why bother, checking the price for something that had been already paid for? Unless, as a reference for future purchases. Whether it is special or not is up to the owner. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Who are we to say. Keris collection is a matter of personal preference. If it is a gift from my sister, it is special to me all right. Or for that matter any gifts.

A. G. Maisey · 18th May 2006, 06:40 AM

Any keris that is a gift has a value beyond that of rubies.

It may never be sold.

Regretably the photos are little less than adequate to allow any appraisal, so at this time I wish to reserve comment, however, detailed inspection of the presentation of the pamor seems to indicate faint angular lines running across the pamor. It could well be that this blade carries pamor nginden, which would make it a scarce and desireable keris.

May I suggest that you try looking along the length of the blade from the handle end, and see if something like a pattern of shadows appearing as lines across the blade, or possibly "X"'s, can be seen.

Alam Shah · 18th May 2006, 08:17 AM

Greetings Mr Alan Maisey and a late welcome to the forum...
May we be enlightened by your knowledge in this field.

Pangeran Datu · 18th May 2006, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doecon

It doesnt really look as a 500USD, keris. I'm sorry. Its rather a common type, might be a bit older, but that doesnt make it special. As mentioned before, you can find some prices of similar pieces in the closed items section of eBay.

The value/beauty of a keris/kris, be it intrinsic.... esoteric.... or exoteric. is in the eyes of the beholder.

A gift should be given special value. I have a keris that was sent/given to me by a total stranger whom I have never even met. While it may not have much value to others. it takes pride of place in my collection.

.... It may be of value to remember what gave rise to the term: 'White Elephant'....

doecon · 18th May 2006, 12:38 PM

Alan, Alam, of course one should appreciate gifts as they are. But IP himself seems to be rather eager to get estimated value (also on the swordforum), it wouldn’t be my first reaction as well, but then again my sister only brought me a t-shirt from her latest trip: )

I do however find it a bit odd that one (or ones sister) expects to find “treasures” in typical tourist areas. Yogjakarta “guards” do give regular keris-standing-performances and make additional income by selling keris to tourists (or to people that live in Jakarta for 10 years but travel with a translator (see IPs first post)). “Mister wanna buy keris?” is not an uncommon question for visitors in this area, some of the guards can even count perfectly in more then 10 languages, so go figure.

Maybe more experienced travelers are aware that you can’t easily find Faraotreasures in front of an Egyptian tourist station, or Incagold in your Yucatan resort, priceless ruby at the entrance of Thai temples. But for those that seriously think you can still find a priceless keris offered by a Jogya keraton guard, please think again.

I don’t want to rub anything in, but think its good to have some reality check.

Alan mentioned that it might be a keris of the Nginden class. I guess it’s not recommended to fuel any speculation in this direction. First it obviously isn’t anywhere near a Nginden keris and second, the guard, for sure, would have sold it for real prices if it was (they are being traded for al least 2500). I sympathize with IP (or his sister) having had one illusion already, so no need to create another one.

Rick · 18th May 2006, 02:24 PM

doecon , let's just drop the subject of whether the poster's Sister got 'taken' or not .
Further discussion of this aspect will no doubt annoy the hell out of me .

Jeff D · 18th May 2006, 04:26 PM

Hi scattered,

Here is my first "ethnographic" weapon. I paid a similar amount as your sister did. The good news is it led me here and opened a whole new world for me. You never know.

All the Best
Jeff

18th May 2006, 08:17 AM	#6
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	greetings... Greetings Mr Alan Maisey and a late welcome to the forum... May we be enlightened by your knowledge in this field.

18th May 2006, 04:26 PM	#10
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi scattered, Here is my first "ethnographic" weapon. I paid a similar amount as your sister did. The good news is it led me here and opened a whole new world for me. You never know. All the Best Jeff Attached Images

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

18th May 2006, 03:13 AM	#1
scatteredminds Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 8	Does anyone know I can/should clean the blade. I am such a newb that I am afraid I will damage the blade. Does anyone know someone in Winnipeg or Canada for that matter that does cleaning professionally. Sorry about the picture quality. My sons digital is not great. When I can find a better camera I will take more pictures.

18th May 2006, 03:40 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	The blade is fine . The pictures ......... well We really need to see the entire pattern on each side of the blade in focus . For care of the blade ... A little keris oil maybe ; no more than that for now . BTW , if you're going to pursue your interest in keris please buy from reputable dealers rather than electronic auctions .

18th May 2006, 04:49 AM	#3
doecon Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 63	It doesnt really look as a 500USD, keris. I'm sorry. Its rather a common type, might be a bit older, but that doesnt make it special. As mentioned before, you can find some prices of similar pieces in the closed items section of eBay. Just accept the fact that you have helped the "guard" to support his family and you did a good thing by stimulating local economy. I agree with Rick, dont buy from just anyone offering you a keris. Especially not in a tourist area (of course). Disagree about the online auctions, I think you have some very good offers on eBay from respectable sellers. But be carefull who you buy from.

18th May 2006, 06:40 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Any keris that is a gift has a value beyond that of rubies. It may never be sold. Regretably the photos are little less than adequate to allow any appraisal, so at this time I wish to reserve comment, however, detailed inspection of the presentation of the pamor seems to indicate faint angular lines running across the pamor. It could well be that this blade carries pamor nginden, which would make it a scarce and desireable keris. May I suggest that you try looking along the length of the blade from the handle end, and see if something like a pattern of shadows appearing as lines across the blade, or possibly "X"'s, can be seen.

18th May 2006, 12:38 PM	#8
doecon Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 63	Alan, Alam, of course one should appreciate gifts as they are. But IP himself seems to be rather eager to get estimated value (also on the swordforum), it wouldn’t be my first reaction as well, but then again my sister only brought me a t-shirt from her latest trip: ) I do however find it a bit odd that one (or ones sister) expects to find “treasures” in typical tourist areas. Yogjakarta “guards” do give regular keris-standing-performances and make additional income by selling keris to tourists (or to people that live in Jakarta for 10 years but travel with a translator (see IPs first post)). “Mister wanna buy keris?” is not an uncommon question for visitors in this area, some of the guards can even count perfectly in more then 10 languages, so go figure. Maybe more experienced travelers are aware that you can’t easily find Faraotreasures in front of an Egyptian tourist station, or Incagold in your Yucatan resort, priceless ruby at the entrance of Thai temples. But for those that seriously think you can still find a priceless keris offered by a Jogya keraton guard, please think again. I don’t want to rub anything in, but think its good to have some reality check. Alan mentioned that it might be a keris of the Nginden class. I guess it’s not recommended to fuel any speculation in this direction. First it obviously isn’t anywhere near a Nginden keris and second, the guard, for sure, would have sold it for real prices if it was (they are being traded for al least 2500). I sympathize with IP (or his sister) having had one illusion already, so no need to create another one.

18th May 2006, 02:24 PM	#9
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	doecon , let's just drop the subject of whether the poster's Sister got 'taken' or not . Further discussion of this aspect will no doubt annoy the hell out of me .