Assistance for a keris novice

A. G. Maisey · 1st July 2017, 09:39 PM

Neither would most other collectors in this day & age, Jean.

But things were different in the past.

If this blade is the result of an alteration, it is most definitely not a recent alteration, its old.

As for untouched Tuban blades of the giganticous ilk, well, they have all but disappeared, and when they do surface they bring a very good price, because of their rarity, a rarity caused in the large part by being altered to satisfy the market.

Something similar happened with Balinese blades, nearer to our own time.

Bjorn · 1st July 2017, 09:52 PM

Does anyone have a photo of an actual Tuban blade? Preferably side by side with a blade of average size. I don't recall ever seeing one before, even though I've seen the name Tuban used quite often.

shayde78 · 3rd July 2017, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Neither would most other collectors in this day & age, Jean.

But things were different in the past.

If this blade is the result of an alteration, it is most definitely not a recent alteration, its old.

As for untouched Tuban blades of the giganticous ilk, well, they have all but disappeared, and when they do surface they bring a very good price, because of their rarity, a rarity caused in the large part by being altered to satisfy the market.

Something similar happened with Balinese blades, nearer to our own time.

AG,
You state that the blade is old with such certainty. I would love to learn how such a determination is made from the photos provided. Is it the pamor, the condition, or just hard earned experience?

Also, to piggyback on yuuzan, are there pics available of a legit Tuban blade?

A. G. Maisey · 3rd July 2017, 08:12 AM

A post in the wrong hole.

A. G. Maisey · 3rd July 2017, 08:16 AM

Its just experience Shadye.

+60 years worth.

That plus the fact that I've handled literally thousands of blades and have been taught by probably the best and most knowledgeable teachers of their generation, two of whom were Surakarta Karaton Empus.

There is a good Tuban blade shown in this thread, and Jean has shown a pic of one of the super-size Tuban blades:-

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22862

shayde78 · 6th July 2017, 03:04 AM

Thanks again, AG.
I had found that turban thread too. Some properly beautiful examples.

There isn't much to provide scale in those pics...but it appears the blades have a more or less uniform lozenge-shaped cross section. That seems different from the piece in question, no? Could mine have been subjected to some serious stock removal?

A. G. Maisey · 6th July 2017, 08:51 AM

How do you reckon this blade might have looked before it was carved with a naga, Shayde?

Whether it was carved from an old Tuban, or some other old, beefy blade, or whether it was forged with the intent of carving it with a naga, it is absolutely certain that the cross section was way different to what you can see now.

shayde78 · 8th July 2017, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

How do you reckon this blade might have looked before it was carved with a naga, Shayde?

Whether it was carved from an old Tuban, or some other old, beefy blade, or whether it was forged with the intent of carving it with a naga, it is absolutely certain that the cross section was way different to what you can see now.

I don't have an answer, other than to note the blade is now thin (compared to a tuban), so a great deal of material must have been removed. Seems like a loss

1st July 2017, 09:39 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Neither would most other collectors in this day & age, Jean. But things were different in the past. If this blade is the result of an alteration, it is most definitely not a recent alteration, its old. As for untouched Tuban blades of the giganticous ilk, well, they have all but disappeared, and when they do surface they bring a very good price, because of their rarity, a rarity caused in the large part by being altered to satisfy the market. Something similar happened with Balinese blades, nearer to our own time.

1st July 2017, 09:52 PM	#2
Bjorn Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 188	Does anyone have a photo of an actual Tuban blade? Preferably side by side with a blade of average size. I don't recall ever seeing one before, even though I've seen the name Tuban used quite often.

3rd July 2017, 08:12 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	A post in the wrong hole.

3rd July 2017, 08:16 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Its just experience Shadye. +60 years worth. That plus the fact that I've handled literally thousands of blades and have been taught by probably the best and most knowledgeable teachers of their generation, two of whom were Surakarta Karaton Empus. There is a good Tuban blade shown in this thread, and Jean has shown a pic of one of the super-size Tuban blades:- http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22862

6th July 2017, 03:04 AM	#6
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	Thanks again, AG. I had found that turban thread too. Some properly beautiful examples. There isn't much to provide scale in those pics...but it appears the blades have a more or less uniform lozenge-shaped cross section. That seems different from the piece in question, no? Could mine have been subjected to some serious stock removal?

6th July 2017, 08:51 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	How do you reckon this blade might have looked before it was carved with a naga, Shayde? Whether it was carved from an old Tuban, or some other old, beefy blade, or whether it was forged with the intent of carving it with a naga, it is absolutely certain that the cross section was way different to what you can see now.