Proper Bali Grip?

Rick · 14th December 2006, 03:28 PM

The last photo enlarged .

David · 14th December 2006, 05:44 PM

Thanks Rick. Must say, that is an impressive looking blade. I count 17 luks.

Rick · 14th December 2006, 05:53 PM

Yeh, it was worth enlarging just to get a closer look at that blade.

Looks to me like he's choking up on the handle.

Lew · 14th December 2006, 06:11 PM

I have a few Balinese keris and it appears that the saber grip is the only comfortable way to grasp these keris.

Lew

David · 14th December 2006, 06:12 PM

Yep, he is choked-up and in that position the hand /wrist orientation is quite a bite different from the Bali grip.
Hey...your posting in the middle of the day...why don't you get a job or something?

Rick · 14th December 2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Hey...your posting in the middle of the day...why don't you get a job or something?

You are too; does the boss know ?

David · 14th December 2006, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

You are too; does the boss know ?

eerrrr...i am working, can't you see that!

A. G. Maisey · 14th December 2006, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the dating on that picture, Michael.

You know, I've been giving a bit of thought to this grip question.I must admit that this particular aspect of keris grip is something I've never given much thought to previously.

Is it possible that although there may have been one generally accepted "ideal" way in which to grip the handle of a keris, either Bali keris, or Jawa keris, or possibly any other keris, individuals may have varied that "ideal" grip to suit themselves?

Or, alternatively, different hand positions were employed depending upon the way in which the keris was being used at the time?

Just maybe, there was no universal "one way suits all" grip.

Over the years I have come across two or three Bugis type keris where the handle had been turned in reverse position, and those handles had been fixed in place with damar. These keris gave every indication that they were direct from the area of use, not through a European dealer or collector. In one case, the handle had been shortened, and this keris with the shortened and reversed handle allows a very comfortable and useable grip.

Consider this:- used as a weapon, a keris is just a tool to do a job:- no more, no less.

A fork is a tool, and you've only got sit in a restaurant for ten minutes to see the multitude of different ways in which people employ a fork.There may be one ideal way to hold and use a fork, but that ideal way is not always used.

An axe is a tool, and an axe can be held in a number of different ways depending on the user, and depending on the job being done.

I'm inclined to think that if we had that magical time machine that could take us back and let us look at the way things really were, we might find that different people held their keris, and possibly used their keris, in different ways.

14th December 2006, 03:28 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	The last photo enlarged . Attached Images

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14th December 2006, 05:44 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Thanks Rick. Must say, that is an impressive looking blade. I count 17 luks.

14th December 2006, 05:53 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Yeh, it was worth enlarging just to get a closer look at that blade. Looks to me like he's choking up on the handle.

14th December 2006, 06:11 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I have a few Balinese keris and it appears that the saber grip is the only comfortable way to grasp these keris. Lew

14th December 2006, 06:12 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Yep, he is choked-up and in that position the hand /wrist orientation is quite a bite different from the Bali grip. Hey...your posting in the middle of the day...why don't you get a job or something?

14th December 2006, 10:24 PM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Thanks for the dating on that picture, Michael. You know, I've been giving a bit of thought to this grip question.I must admit that this particular aspect of keris grip is something I've never given much thought to previously. Is it possible that although there may have been one generally accepted "ideal" way in which to grip the handle of a keris, either Bali keris, or Jawa keris, or possibly any other keris, individuals may have varied that "ideal" grip to suit themselves? Or, alternatively, different hand positions were employed depending upon the way in which the keris was being used at the time? Just maybe, there was no universal "one way suits all" grip. Over the years I have come across two or three Bugis type keris where the handle had been turned in reverse position, and those handles had been fixed in place with damar. These keris gave every indication that they were direct from the area of use, not through a European dealer or collector. In one case, the handle had been shortened, and this keris with the shortened and reversed handle allows a very comfortable and useable grip. Consider this:- used as a weapon, a keris is just a tool to do a job:- no more, no less. A fork is a tool, and you've only got sit in a restaurant for ten minutes to see the multitude of different ways in which people employ a fork.There may be one ideal way to hold and use a fork, but that ideal way is not always used. An axe is a tool, and an axe can be held in a number of different ways depending on the user, and depending on the job being done. I'm inclined to think that if we had that magical time machine that could take us back and let us look at the way things really were, we might find that different people held their keris, and possibly used their keris, in different ways.