Bugis Keris?

A. G. Maisey · 4th May 2015, 02:38 AM

We can probably say that this keris has pamor sanak, that is, very low contrast or no contrast pamor of iron only. I doubt that a clean and restain would be of much benefit.

blue lander · 6th May 2015, 09:29 PM

This just arrived in the mail, will take photos later. It smells heavily of citrus so I guess somebody was trying to keep it happy.

The sheath is definitely painted. There's a lot of paint on the blade itself around the ganja. So I think it was definitely painted at a later date.

blue lander · 6th May 2015, 11:44 PM

The patina on the blade is really thick and caked on. So I wiped the blade down with a lime slice and started rubbing it with a paper towel. Just from the lime and paper towel most of the patina came off. I'm trying to remove the paint of the ganja area with acetone.

The question is, what should I do about the hilt and scabbard? Wipe the paint off?

The blade has a ovoid cross section. It's pretty thick from hilt to tip. I know kerises are stabbing weapons, but this one really feels like a slasher. What with the blunt tip, the thick slightly curved blade, and the "hooked" hilt. It's more like a mini kris.

blue lander · 8th May 2015, 09:50 PM

Acetone isn't doing much to remove the paint from the blade. Any suggestions?

blue lander · 15th May 2015, 05:06 PM

I've had good success stripping the scabbard with rubbing alcohol. The wood's actually pretty nice! I still have a ways to go obviously. One side is more banged up than the other, which I guess is typical of a scabbard that's been worn for awhole.

David · 15th May 2015, 05:51 PM

Well, it looks like this sheath had a fairly major patch job done at one time which is probably what the paint was attempting to cover up. I wouldn't exactly refer to this a "typical" wear.
I would now try using finer and finer sandpaper in stages to smooth the wood out and remove all remnants of paint and former state and then re-stain it to a good color. You may then want to put a finish on it. I like a product called Birchwood Casey Tru Oil which is generally used for finishing gun stocks, but there are many other choices as well.
You probably want to give the hilt the same treatment.

blue lander · 15th May 2015, 06:20 PM

Is that oval inlay a repair? I assumed it was a decoration. It follows the contour of the scabbard.

6th May 2015, 09:29 PM	#2
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	This just arrived in the mail, will take photos later. It smells heavily of citrus so I guess somebody was trying to keep it happy. The sheath is definitely painted. There's a lot of paint on the blade itself around the ganja. So I think it was definitely painted at a later date. Last edited by blue lander; 6th May 2015 at 10:13 PM.

6th May 2015, 11:44 PM	#3
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	The patina on the blade is really thick and caked on. So I wiped the blade down with a lime slice and started rubbing it with a paper towel. Just from the lime and paper towel most of the patina came off. I'm trying to remove the paint of the ganja area with acetone. The question is, what should I do about the hilt and scabbard? Wipe the paint off? The blade has a ovoid cross section. It's pretty thick from hilt to tip. I know kerises are stabbing weapons, but this one really feels like a slasher. What with the blunt tip, the thick slightly curved blade, and the "hooked" hilt. It's more like a mini kris. Attached Images Last edited by blue lander; 7th May 2015 at 12:09 AM.

15th May 2015, 05:06 PM	#5
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	I've had good success stripping the scabbard with rubbing alcohol. The wood's actually pretty nice! I still have a ways to go obviously. One side is more banged up than the other, which I guess is typical of a scabbard that's been worn for awhole. Attached Images

4th May 2015, 02:38 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	We can probably say that this keris has pamor sanak, that is, very low contrast or no contrast pamor of iron only. I doubt that a clean and restain would be of much benefit.

8th May 2015, 09:50 PM	#4
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Acetone isn't doing much to remove the paint from the blade. Any suggestions?

15th May 2015, 05:51 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Well, it looks like this sheath had a fairly major patch job done at one time which is probably what the paint was attempting to cover up. I wouldn't exactly refer to this a "typical" wear. I would now try using finer and finer sandpaper in stages to smooth the wood out and remove all remnants of paint and former state and then re-stain it to a good color. You may then want to put a finish on it. I like a product called Birchwood Casey Tru Oil which is generally used for finishing gun stocks, but there are many other choices as well. You probably want to give the hilt the same treatment.

15th May 2015, 06:20 PM	#7
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Is that oval inlay a repair? I assumed it was a decoration. It follows the contour of the scabbard.