unusual keris

[satsujinken]

I have to admit (shame to myself) that I failed to recognize this piece as metal based

the sound when you clink other metallic object to it, the weight, the feel , almost anything about it is not-metallic like

I even almost sure the blade won't stick to magnet, and it does stunned me for awhile to feel it attracted to magnet ....

got me fooled, this one

so, real keris, old and repeated washing and staining corroded the metals and left it porous and spongy ?


Donny

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by satsujinken

so, real keris, old and repeated washing and staining corroded the metals and left it porous and spongy ?

Donny

Hi Donny,

I do not know what exacly caused this keris to end up like this but it definitely isn't repeated washing and staining. There are blades that are hundreds of years old and have seen maybe hundreds of washings and stainings and didn't turn into sponge.

More likely it was an unintentional accident related to some acid treatment. I assume that new blades are artificially aged using acid and this one may have been the result of such a treatment. Maybe there was the wrong acid used, or the wrong concentration, or the blade was left too long to soak.

Regards,

Marius

[Jean]

I cannot believe that an acid-treated iron blade (and looking solid) can float on water unless it is hollow?

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by Jean

I cannot believe that an acid-treated iron blade (and looking solid) can float on water unless it is hollow?

A normally acid treted iron blade won't float but one that has been turned into sponge will most likely float, at least for a while, until the air pockets within its structure get filled with water.

[satsujinken]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

A normally acid treted iron blade won't float but one that has been turned into sponge will most likely float, at least for a while, until the air pockets within its structure get filled with water.

the funny thing is the blade is light but not that spongy. It is solid ... trust me it really felt like wood, well - until you put a magnet unto it

too bad we live so far apart ... I am dreaming of a gathering in a room with coffee and lots of blades :P



Donny

[David]

Originally Posted by satsujinken

too bad we live so far apart ... I am dreaming of a gathering in a room with coffee and lots of blades :P

I support that dream!

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by satsujinken

the funny thing is the blade is light but not that spongy. It is solid ... trust me it really felt like wood, well - until you put a magnet unto it.

Donny

Hello Donny,

If the blade weren't spongy it wouldn't float. So even if it is not plainly visible with naked eye under sufficient magnification, I am sure the structure would appear spongy.

[satsujinken]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Hello Donny,

If the blade weren't spongy it wouldn't float. So even if it is not plainly visible with naked eye under sufficient magnification, I am sure the structure would appear spongy.

I'll take your word for it, Marius
at least for now

I will study this intriguing piece further and post any updates here

Donny