Bali keris hilt - to glue or thread?

marto suwignyo · 13th October 2005, 10:02 PM

Nylon does not compress.

It even more dangerous to use nylon than to use cloth.

My recommendation was for wool. That is wool as produced by sheep.

kai · 14th October 2005, 09:02 AM

Wool may be better in a humid climate than cotton but also more prone to insect damage... How about using synthetic "wool" threads (made from nylon or some other plastic)? [I guess this is what BluErf meant with "thick nylon threads" rather than solid angling line.]

However, I doubt that the wrapping material makes any difference for those of us with indoor humidity of, say, around 70% or lower (and fairly stable temperatures).

Regards,
Kai

BluErf · 14th October 2005, 03:38 PM

Yes, the thick nylon thread I was referring to is not the clear angling sort. It is made up of many smaller strands twisted together to get a thicker thread. It can be compressed.

I guess the point is that regardless of material used to wrap the peksi, the wrapping must provide some tolerance -- i.e. a snug fit, but the hilt can be twisted without too much effort.

Picture of the thick nylon thread I was referring to.

VANDOO · 14th October 2005, 04:16 PM

HEE HEE !! THIS IS A INFORMATIVE AND FUN THREAD, I GUESS WE DO GET EMOTIONAL ABOUT OUR TREASURES. I CAN IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE ASKED IF THEY SHOULD USE THE FINE WHEEL OR THE COARSE ONE ON THEIR BENCH GRINDER TO CLEAN THEIR GREAT GRANDFATHERS ANTIQUE SWORD COLLECTION AND MAKE THE BLADES SHINEY AGAIN.

Rick · 14th October 2005, 04:37 PM

If someone wants to use old records I've got a bunch of 78 rpm's from the 1920's hanging around .

I believe they're made from lacquer .

Marto , were these ever used as a material for ukiran or handle carvings ?

nechesh · 14th October 2005, 06:50 PM

Interesting question Rick, since every now and then we see hilts that appear to have a bit of age yet are made out of highly questionable materials. Could these be old "Rudy Valee" ukirans.

As to wrappings, sometimes i think it depends on how much space there is to fill. Sometimes you get a rather large hole with a fairly thin pesi. I usually use a cotton fiber cloth and finish with some magician's silk i've had around for a while. The silk is vey squishy when wrapped and has a lot of give. Then, i've got on blade where the fit of pesi to hilt is so matched that i use no material at all.
Marto mentioned hair which i find very interesting. I've had one keris that came to me this way. I like the idea of it from a magickal perspective. It is my understanding that this is a fairly recent practice (last couple of hundred years, 1800 on or so). Do you know any more about this Marto?

Rick · 14th October 2005, 10:16 PM

My oldest keris has a hair wrapped peksi .

14th October 2005, 03:38 PM	#3
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Yes, the thick nylon thread I was referring to is not the clear angling sort. It is made up of many smaller strands twisted together to get a thicker thread. It can be compressed. I guess the point is that regardless of material used to wrap the peksi, the wrapping must provide some tolerance -- i.e. a snug fit, but the hilt can be twisted without too much effort. Picture of the thick nylon thread I was referring to. Attached Images

14th October 2005, 04:37 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Well ....... If someone wants to use old records I've got a bunch of 78 rpm's from the 1920's hanging around . I believe they're made from lacquer . Marto , were these ever used as a material for ukiran or handle carvings ?

13th October 2005, 10:02 PM	#1
marto suwignyo Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 52	Nylon does not compress. It even more dangerous to use nylon than to use cloth. My recommendation was for wool. That is wool as produced by sheep.

14th October 2005, 09:02 AM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Wool may be better in a humid climate than cotton but also more prone to insect damage... How about using synthetic "wool" threads (made from nylon or some other plastic)? [I guess this is what BluErf meant with "thick nylon threads" rather than solid angling line.] However, I doubt that the wrapping material makes any difference for those of us with indoor humidity of, say, around 70% or lower (and fairly stable temperatures). Regards, Kai

14th October 2005, 04:16 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	HEE HEE !! THIS IS A INFORMATIVE AND FUN THREAD, I GUESS WE DO GET EMOTIONAL ABOUT OUR TREASURES. I CAN IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE ASKED IF THEY SHOULD USE THE FINE WHEEL OR THE COARSE ONE ON THEIR BENCH GRINDER TO CLEAN THEIR GREAT GRANDFATHERS ANTIQUE SWORD COLLECTION AND MAKE THE BLADES SHINEY AGAIN.

14th October 2005, 06:50 PM	#6
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Interesting question Rick, since every now and then we see hilts that appear to have a bit of age yet are made out of highly questionable materials. Could these be old "Rudy Valee" ukirans. As to wrappings, sometimes i think it depends on how much space there is to fill. Sometimes you get a rather large hole with a fairly thin pesi. I usually use a cotton fiber cloth and finish with some magician's silk i've had around for a while. The silk is vey squishy when wrapped and has a lot of give. Then, i've got on blade where the fit of pesi to hilt is so matched that i use no material at all. Marto mentioned hair which i find very interesting. I've had one keris that came to me this way. I like the idea of it from a magickal perspective. It is my understanding that this is a fairly recent practice (last couple of hundred years, 1800 on or so). Do you know any more about this Marto?

14th October 2005, 10:16 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	My oldest keris has a hair wrapped peksi .