My new keris

VANDOO · 24th February 2011, 01:59 AM

THE FOSSIL MOLAR CAN BE BRITTLE AND SOME IS MORE UNSTABLE THAN OTHERS MAKEING IT RISKY TO WORK. AS A RESULT MOST CARVING IS USUALLY VERY SIMPLE.
SOMEONE WENT THE EXTRA MILE ON THIS AS ITS THE BEST CARVING I HAVE SEEN USING THIS MATERIAL.
A VERY NICE KERIS BE CAREFUL WITH IT TO AVOID SHEDING TEARS

Sajen · 24th February 2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

THE FOSSIL MOLAR CAN BE BRITTLE AND SOME IS MORE UNSTABLE THAN OTHERS MAKEING IT RISKY TO WORK. AS A RESULT MOST CARVING IS USUALLY VERY SIMPLE.
SOMEONE WENT THE EXTRA MILE ON THIS AS ITS THE BEST CARVING I HAVE SEEN USING THIS MATERIAL.
A VERY NICE KERIS BE CAREFUL WITH IT TO AVOID SHEDING TEARS

Hi Barry,

I know how easy this material can get broken and I am very careful with this keris!

Regards,

Detlef

A. G. Maisey · 28th February 2011, 08:13 AM

Interesting.

Battara · 28th February 2011, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

THE FOSSIL MOLAR CAN BE BRITTLE AND SOME IS MORE UNSTABLE THAN OTHERS MAKEING IT RISKY TO WORK. AS A RESULT MOST CARVING IS USUALLY VERY SIMPLE.
SOMEONE WENT THE EXTRA MILE ON THIS AS ITS THE BEST CARVING I HAVE SEEN USING THIS MATERIAL.
A VERY NICE KERIS BE CAREFUL WITH IT TO AVOID SHEDING TEARS

Oh I agree with you Barry. I have not carved but have worked with the stuff - crazy brittle and even crumbly.

Yet this is great delicate carving work.

For me this just begs the question - what are the talismanic properties of this material and where can I find literature on it?

DaveS · 1st March 2011, 04:25 AM

Jose: I read somewhere in one of the kris books that in the "old days" molar
tooth was thought to be an antidote to poisons, especially in the middle
eastern Islamic countries. It also was a trade item coming from Russian
Siberia. Modern knifemakers here in the U.S are also starting to use it on
their custom knife handles after it is stabilized. Don't know how it would hold
up under hunting conditions I wonder if Alan knows more about this material.
Dave.

Battara · 1st March 2011, 04:55 AM

My understanding is that it also protected the wearer because it was made of "dragon's tooth".

A. G. Maisey · 1st March 2011, 07:57 AM

No, sorry, I know of no myths nor beliefs of Javanese or Balinese origin that are associated with this material.

The oldest hilt of this material of which I am aware is the one in the Radya Pustaka Museum in Solo.

Scroll about three-quarters down the page:-

http://www.kerisattosanaji.com/radyapustaka.html

David · 1st March 2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The oldest hilt of this material of which I am aware is the one in the Radya Pustaka Museum in Solo.

Is there an indication approximately how old this hilt in the museum is?

A. G. Maisey · 1st March 2011, 09:41 PM

No David, there is not.

I first saw it in 1974, and my guess is that it is probably from either the 1960's or first 40 years of 20th century.

I emphasise "guess".

VANDOO · 4th September 2011, 10:06 PM

IN CHINESE MEDICINE THESE FOSSIL TEETH FROM VARIOUS ANCESTORS OF THE ELEPHANT AND RHINO WERE AND STILL ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS DRAGONS TEETH.
TAILSMANIC POWERS HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTIED TO SUCH THINGS SINCE TRIBAL TIMES IN ALL COUNTRYS AND THERE IS STILL BELIEF IN SPECIAL POWERS FOR SUCH THINGS IN MANY SOCIETYS TODAY.
I THINK THE MATERIAL IS VERY ATTRACTIVE AND USING A BROKEN TOOTH TO MAKE SUCH A HANDLE IS COOL BUT TO CUT UP A COMPLETE TOOTH TO MAKE A HANDLE.

I PERSONALLY WOULD PREFER TO HAVE THE WHOLE TOOTH IN ITS NATURAL STATE.

TO EAT IT GROUND UP IN MEDICINE

IS SORT OF LIKE EATING EXPENSIVE ROCK DUST TO CURE YOUR ILLS.

24th February 2011, 01:59 AM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE FOSSIL MOLAR CAN BE BRITTLE AND SOME IS MORE UNSTABLE THAN OTHERS MAKEING IT RISKY TO WORK. AS A RESULT MOST CARVING IS USUALLY VERY SIMPLE. SOMEONE WENT THE EXTRA MILE ON THIS AS ITS THE BEST CARVING I HAVE SEEN USING THIS MATERIAL. A VERY NICE KERIS BE CAREFUL WITH IT TO AVOID SHEDING TEARS

28th February 2011, 08:13 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,135	Interesting.

1st March 2011, 04:25 AM	#5
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Jose: I read somewhere in one of the kris books that in the "old days" molar tooth was thought to be an antidote to poisons, especially in the middle eastern Islamic countries. It also was a trade item coming from Russian Siberia. Modern knifemakers here in the U.S are also starting to use it on their custom knife handles after it is stabilized. Don't know how it would hold up under hunting conditions I wonder if Alan knows more about this material. Dave.

1st March 2011, 04:55 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,363	My understanding is that it also protected the wearer because it was made of "dragon's tooth".

1st March 2011, 07:57 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,135	No, sorry, I know of no myths nor beliefs of Javanese or Balinese origin that are associated with this material. The oldest hilt of this material of which I am aware is the one in the Radya Pustaka Museum in Solo. Scroll about three-quarters down the page:- http://www.kerisattosanaji.com/radyapustaka.html

1st March 2011, 09:41 PM	#9
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,135	No David, there is not. I first saw it in 1974, and my guess is that it is probably from either the 1960's or first 40 years of 20th century. I emphasise "guess".

4th September 2011, 10:06 PM	#10
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IN CHINESE MEDICINE THESE FOSSIL TEETH FROM VARIOUS ANCESTORS OF THE ELEPHANT AND RHINO WERE AND STILL ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS DRAGONS TEETH. TAILSMANIC POWERS HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTIED TO SUCH THINGS SINCE TRIBAL TIMES IN ALL COUNTRYS AND THERE IS STILL BELIEF IN SPECIAL POWERS FOR SUCH THINGS IN MANY SOCIETYS TODAY. I THINK THE MATERIAL IS VERY ATTRACTIVE AND USING A BROKEN TOOTH TO MAKE SUCH A HANDLE IS COOL BUT TO CUT UP A COMPLETE TOOTH TO MAKE A HANDLE. I PERSONALLY WOULD PREFER TO HAVE THE WHOLE TOOTH IN ITS NATURAL STATE. TO EAT IT GROUND UP IN MEDICINE IS SORT OF LIKE EATING EXPENSIVE ROCK DUST TO CURE YOUR ILLS.