Agarwood oil for keris?

silkreeler · 2nd September 2014, 11:29 AM

Hi Sajen, clove is cengkeh. So just imagine an oil with very very intense aroma cengkeh. I heard that in the past the samurai may have used clove simply to differentiate between the oil for sword and oil for cooking. Not sure if it's true. Anyway, I was first shocked when I first smelled a katana, but then gradually I grew to like it better. The smell has some hint of courage and intensity, just my personal opinion. But I do like keris smells better. More options for expressions, from mysterious jasmine to noble cendana. But then some say jasmine is more suitable for feminine kerises. Is this some new, paranormal-based opinion, or is it one with strong cultural historical root?

silkreeler · 2nd September 2014, 11:39 AM

I did handle some keraton quality kerises and they had a similar sharp fragrant aroma, even though the kerises were from different owners. I suspect it to be musk because it kinda smelled like "old days men's perfume". Is it common for Javanese nobilities to use musk flavored oil? I'm also tempted to buy musk essential oil and use it for my keris if it was a common practice / has good precedent.

A. G. Maisey · 2nd September 2014, 12:53 PM

In Solo the most generally used oil in the past, and now, is sandalwood + kenanga + a base oil.

The sharp smell in this oil comes from the kenanga.

Sajen · 2nd September 2014, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkreeler

Hi Sajen, clove is cengkeh.

Hi Silkreeler,

I know that clove is cengkeh in bahasa Indonesia!

But thank you!

Regards,
Detlef

2nd September 2014, 11:29 AM	#1
silkreeler Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 27	Hi Sajen, clove is cengkeh. So just imagine an oil with very very intense aroma cengkeh. I heard that in the past the samurai may have used clove simply to differentiate between the oil for sword and oil for cooking. Not sure if it's true. Anyway, I was first shocked when I first smelled a katana, but then gradually I grew to like it better. The smell has some hint of courage and intensity, just my personal opinion. But I do like keris smells better. More options for expressions, from mysterious jasmine to noble cendana. But then some say jasmine is more suitable for feminine kerises. Is this some new, paranormal-based opinion, or is it one with strong cultural historical root? Last edited by silkreeler; 2nd September 2014 at 11:49 AM.

2nd September 2014, 11:39 AM	#2
silkreeler Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 27	I did handle some keraton quality kerises and they had a similar sharp fragrant aroma, even though the kerises were from different owners. I suspect it to be musk because it kinda smelled like "old days men's perfume". Is it common for Javanese nobilities to use musk flavored oil? I'm also tempted to buy musk essential oil and use it for my keris if it was a common practice / has good precedent.

2nd September 2014, 12:53 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	In Solo the most generally used oil in the past, and now, is sandalwood + kenanga + a base oil. The sharp smell in this oil comes from the kenanga.