Keris Handle / Hilts Appreciation

A. G. Maisey · 4th May 2011, 12:43 PM

Rasjid, we started off talking about just the material in the handle, and now we're going into factors such as balance when the handle is fitted to a keris.

I'm not so sure exactly where we're headed.

As you've already remarked, tayuman is a preferred material for handles. It is a very dense wood and will sink in water, so this throws the balance back into the hand. However, it is an absolutely lousy wood to wear in daylight, ideally it should never be kissed by the sun, or you will very possibly end up with some unsightly splits in it. Ideally, tayuman should only be worn at night.

So --- are we now going to consider all the possible factors that can apply to a Central Javanese planar hilt?

rasjid · 4th May 2011, 05:56 PM

[ So --- are we now going to consider all the possible factors that can apply to a Central Javanese planar hilt? ]

I don't know Alan, previous post already discuss the hilt's material.

Alan, my last post about the additional point (weight distribution at hand on keris) which I personally thought should be consider when you attach your choosen hilt.

As Detlef and David mention in earlier post, there are other factors to be considered when you mix n match Javanese hilt with the keris. I agree, is there anymore points to add according to the standard of a knowledgeable keris collectors?

thanks
rasjid

A. G. Maisey · 5th May 2011, 12:49 AM

Rasjid, I'm not too strong on what "knowledgeable collectors" consider to be correct. I do not consider myself a collector --- although I once was --- and I do not necessarily accept that which is accepted as knowledge by the bulk of collector groups.

What I have noted amongst the people I know in Solo is that when a hilt is mated to a keris, the major considerations are all directed at achieving a harmonious visual presentation when the keris is worn.

The totality of the ensemble is considered when mating it to the person who is to wear it.

I would guess that weight distribution and point of balance could be a consideration for a dancer, or perhaps a silat practitioner, but in my experience it is not considered when preparing a keris for wear, nor for display, and those two matters are the principal ones considered in modern Jawa.

rasjid · 5th May 2011, 05:53 AM

Thank you Alan for the insight regarding your last post.
May be due to my other hobby that I have a few knives that I bought and make as well than this habit carry forward to my keris collecting that I like to handle a keris which also has a good balance at hand.

regards,
rasjid

4th May 2011, 12:43 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Rasjid, we started off talking about just the material in the handle, and now we're going into factors such as balance when the handle is fitted to a keris. I'm not so sure exactly where we're headed. As you've already remarked, tayuman is a preferred material for handles. It is a very dense wood and will sink in water, so this throws the balance back into the hand. However, it is an absolutely lousy wood to wear in daylight, ideally it should never be kissed by the sun, or you will very possibly end up with some unsightly splits in it. Ideally, tayuman should only be worn at night. So --- are we now going to consider all the possible factors that can apply to a Central Javanese planar hilt?

4th May 2011, 05:56 PM	#2
rasjid Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jakarta - Indonesia Posts: 114	[ So --- are we now going to consider all the possible factors that can apply to a Central Javanese planar hilt? ] I don't know Alan, previous post already discuss the hilt's material. Alan, my last post about the additional point (weight distribution at hand on keris) which I personally thought should be consider when you attach your choosen hilt. As Detlef and David mention in earlier post, there are other factors to be considered when you mix n match Javanese hilt with the keris. I agree, is there anymore points to add according to the standard of a knowledgeable keris collectors? thanks rasjid

5th May 2011, 12:49 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Rasjid, I'm not too strong on what "knowledgeable collectors" consider to be correct. I do not consider myself a collector --- although I once was --- and I do not necessarily accept that which is accepted as knowledge by the bulk of collector groups. What I have noted amongst the people I know in Solo is that when a hilt is mated to a keris, the major considerations are all directed at achieving a harmonious visual presentation when the keris is worn. The totality of the ensemble is considered when mating it to the person who is to wear it. I would guess that weight distribution and point of balance could be a consideration for a dancer, or perhaps a silat practitioner, but in my experience it is not considered when preparing a keris for wear, nor for display, and those two matters are the principal ones considered in modern Jawa.

5th May 2011, 05:53 AM	#4
rasjid Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jakarta - Indonesia Posts: 114	Thank you Alan for the insight regarding your last post. May be due to my other hobby that I have a few knives that I bought and make as well than this habit carry forward to my keris collecting that I like to handle a keris which also has a good balance at hand. regards, rasjid