A Moro Kriss with a Blade of Unusual Construction

[KuKulzA28]

Originally Posted by ThePepperSkull

There is a modern Indonesian smith named Mang Ako who lives in Tasikmalaya, Jawa that some people over on other forums swear by (They use his blades as 'fancy' ethnographic alternatives to more common camping or survival blades. Most prefer his Parang Lading, which I must say is quite attractive for newer-made pieces), and he refers to this construction as "balik mipih". So at least we know in Indonesia it is a construction style used frequently enough that there is a term for it.

I do swear by him, . His balik mipih is "Indonesian san mai damascus steel". I don't know if this was learned elsewhere by him or has been the intellectual property of him and his teacher and teacher's teacher for a long time.. In any case he is a pretty skilled smith.

But just a question, how can you tell if something is san-mai? I don't know what to look for. San-mai means there's 3 layers right?

[David]

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

I do swear by him, . His balik mipih is "Indonesian san mai damascus steel". I don't know if this was learned elsewhere by him or has been the intellectual property of him and his teacher and teacher's teacher for a long time.. In any case he is a pretty skilled smith.

But just a question, how can you tell if something is san-mai? I don't know what to look for. San-mai means there's 3 layers right?

Do you have any photos of this balik mipih work?

[KuKulzA28]

Originally Posted by David

Do you have any photos of this balik mipih work?

Yes. Here's my pedang/klewang. It's the same style as those Sumatran/Lombok blades with the makara hilts, but obviously with a Javanese flair to it. Check it out. And yea, Mang Ako made it (I feel that might be his nickname, btw).

[David]

Nice contemporary parang...

[CharlesS]

Rick can you show the whole blade, including the tip?

[Rick]

Hi Charles,
I'll try for a shot of the whole blade tomorrow .

[Rick]

Full picture .