Central Javanese keris for comment

Sajen · 29th May 2023, 02:26 PM

Thank you Alan,

Your appraisal is very welcome! I'll post a picture from top of the gonjo soon as I have received the keris.
I have the hope that I need only to reverse the pendok, add a mendak and give the blade a new stain to let it look nice again.
Thank you again and best regards,
Detlef

Gustav · 29th May 2023, 05:36 PM

Detlef,

I would definitely keep the old stain.
A good Keris.

Sajen · 29th May 2023, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

I would definitely keep the old stain.
A good Keris.

Thank you Gustav,

I thought about it because the blade is in very good condition.

Regards,
Detlef

A. G. Maisey · 29th May 2023, 09:43 PM

In respect of the blade stain.

From the Javanese perspective this blade needs to be cleaned & stained. This keris is a cultural icon of the Javanese people, and they do own their own culture.

However, from the point of view of many collectors outside of Javanese culture & society, the preferable approach can be to attempt to freeze virtually any collected item in time.

My own approach is that if an existing old stain is sufficient to permit the blade to be read, then it might be best to try to preserve the old stain if possible.

I begin this process by washing the blade under warm running water and giving it a thorough clean with dishwash detergent & a toothbrush, then dry thoroughly including the use of heat --- sunshine, heat gun, low oven --- and spray with WD40 a few times over a few days. This is what I would be doing with this keris, it could well be found to be sufficient.

David · 29th May 2023, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

Detlef,

I would definitely keep the old stain.
A good Keris.

I am in agreement with both Gustav and Alan on this. I believe that if you clean and oil the blade as Alan suggests that you will find that the existing stain will look much better than it does in these dealer photos.
I like this keris. It displays good character IMHO.

Sajen · 30th May 2023, 09:45 PM

Thank you gentlemen,

When I have received the keris I'll clean the blade like Alan suggested and will post a picture of the result.

A. G. Maisey · 30th May 2023, 10:17 PM

Detlef, when you get to the final dry, if you are forced to use an oven it might be best to support the blade at the pesi & the tip on oven proof glass, something like a couple of small Pyrex dishes or similar, if you put it onto the bars of an oven shelf they can leave a mark, and the oven very low.

Hair dryers are good too.

Sajen · 31st May 2023, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Detlef, when you get to the final dry, if you are forced to use an oven it might be best to support the blade at the pesi & the tip on oven proof glass, something like a couple of small Pyrex dishes or similar, if you put it onto the bars of an oven shelf they can leave a mark, and the oven very low.

Hair dryers are good too.

Thank you Alan,
I use normally a hair dryer for something like this.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 6th June 2023, 08:47 PM

Received it, here some first pictures, fast taken with my handphone. Added a mendak.

6th June 2023, 08:47 PM	#9
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Received it, here some first pictures, fast taken with my handphone. Added a mendak. Attached Images

29th May 2023, 02:26 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Thank you Alan, Your appraisal is very welcome! I'll post a picture from top of the gonjo soon as I have received the keris. I have the hope that I need only to reverse the pendok, add a mendak and give the blade a new stain to let it look nice again. Thank you again and best regards, Detlef

29th May 2023, 05:36 PM	#2
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	Detlef, I would definitely keep the old stain. A good Keris.

29th May 2023, 09:43 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	In respect of the blade stain. From the Javanese perspective this blade needs to be cleaned & stained. This keris is a cultural icon of the Javanese people, and they do own their own culture. However, from the point of view of many collectors outside of Javanese culture & society, the preferable approach can be to attempt to freeze virtually any collected item in time. My own approach is that if an existing old stain is sufficient to permit the blade to be read, then it might be best to try to preserve the old stain if possible. I begin this process by washing the blade under warm running water and giving it a thorough clean with dishwash detergent & a toothbrush, then dry thoroughly including the use of heat --- sunshine, heat gun, low oven --- and spray with WD40 a few times over a few days. This is what I would be doing with this keris, it could well be found to be sufficient.

30th May 2023, 09:45 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Thank you gentlemen, When I have received the keris I'll clean the blade like Alan suggested and will post a picture of the result.

30th May 2023, 10:17 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Detlef, when you get to the final dry, if you are forced to use an oven it might be best to support the blade at the pesi & the tip on oven proof glass, something like a couple of small Pyrex dishes or similar, if you put it onto the bars of an oven shelf they can leave a mark, and the oven very low. Hair dryers are good too.