2 KRIS SWORDS-OPINION

Ian · 3rd April 2023, 02:51 PM

Hi Yves,

The second blade is hard to assess because of its condition. I notice some deeply corroded "dots" down the midline ridge of the blade that might be inlays with a different metal (and hence enhanced corrosion). The engravings are faint and might be at risk with cleaning of the blade. The gangya area is hard to assess. Personally, I would not pay a high price for this one. While it may be the more interesting of the two, it needs a lot of work on the blade and you might be disappointed with the end result. On the other hand, you might get lucky.

The Maguindanao kris has a nice clean blade. Nothing fancy, but it looks well forged and very functional. It would be my preference to restore this one. Not much mystery to it. Do you think the blade is laminated? Hard to say from the picture.

Cheers,

Ian.

tanaruz · 4th April 2023, 06:44 AM

Hello,

Thank you all for your insights.

As of now I still have not seen these two personally. Will do so when I (and my father) would visit the seller after the Holy Week.

But we are more inclined to get the Maguindanao one. It will be restored by an artisan in Maguindanao.

Saludos.

Yves

milandro · 4th April 2023, 02:33 PM

restoration will be rather radical in any case and I am not sure that it will cost less than buying a sword with all it needs to be restored already in place.

You need a new hilt, and new sheath, two new baca-baca and all this for a sword that is certainly not as old as many others. On the other hand I have been told by someone whom bought a kris from me that he found it difficult to find such blades in the Philippines too, and that's why he was so eager to buy my blade which was in working order and had nothing missing.

Sajen · 4th April 2023, 05:40 PM

Hi Yves,

From the pictures only would be my favorite the Maguindanao blade.

A restoration in the Philippines will be much cheaper as in Europe or the States!
And Milandro is correct, it's easier to find an antique Moro weapon in the States than in the Philippines.
It's in the meanwhile the same with Indonesian blades, you find more in Europe as in Indonesia.
And for sure a restoration is a good investment, look how good examples in this time frame got sold by auctions as well by epray.

When the blade is good like my one from this time it is worth given it clothings.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 4th April 2023, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milandro

You need a new hilt, and new sheath, two new baca-baca and all this for a sword that is certainly not as old as many others.

The scabbard is present and I would restore it to keep much as possible from the old ensemble.

4th April 2023, 06:44 AM	#2
tanaruz Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 276	2 kris swords-opinion Hello, Thank you all for your insights. As of now I still have not seen these two personally. Will do so when I (and my father) would visit the seller after the Holy Week. But we are more inclined to get the Maguindanao one. It will be restored by an artisan in Maguindanao. Saludos. Yves

3rd April 2023, 02:51 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Hi Yves, The second blade is hard to assess because of its condition. I notice some deeply corroded "dots" down the midline ridge of the blade that might be inlays with a different metal (and hence enhanced corrosion). The engravings are faint and might be at risk with cleaning of the blade. The gangya area is hard to assess. Personally, I would not pay a high price for this one. While it may be the more interesting of the two, it needs a lot of work on the blade and you might be disappointed with the end result. On the other hand, you might get lucky. The Maguindanao kris has a nice clean blade. Nothing fancy, but it looks well forged and very functional. It would be my preference to restore this one. Not much mystery to it. Do you think the blade is laminated? Hard to say from the picture. Cheers, Ian.

4th April 2023, 02:33 PM	#3
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 497	restoration will be rather radical in any case and I am not sure that it will cost less than buying a sword with all it needs to be restored already in place. You need a new hilt, and new sheath, two new baca-baca and all this for a sword that is certainly not as old as many others. On the other hand I have been told by someone whom bought a kris from me that he found it difficult to find such blades in the Philippines too, and that's why he was so eager to buy my blade which was in working order and had nothing missing.

4th April 2023, 05:40 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,272	Hi Yves, From the pictures only would be my favorite the Maguindanao blade. A restoration in the Philippines will be much cheaper as in Europe or the States! And Milandro is correct, it's easier to find an antique Moro weapon in the States than in the Philippines. It's in the meanwhile the same with Indonesian blades, you find more in Europe as in Indonesia. And for sure a restoration is a good investment, look how good examples in this time frame got sold by auctions as well by epray. When the blade is good like my one from this time it is worth given it clothings. Regards, Detlef