A recent purchase.

David · 22nd April 2025, 04:16 PM

I agree with Milandro that this is a nice, well formed old keris. While it might be nice to restain the blade i don't think it is a must in regards to "restoration". The blade, at least in the photos, appears to be rust free. The tip of the gonjo is bent up a but, but it could be dangerous to mess with that as you don't want to break it off trying to bend it back into place.
I like to see a close up of the tip of the blade to see what is going on there.
You should be able to loosen the glue on the hilt with some gentle heating at the base of the blade. It would be nice if you could free the hilt an position it properly. Getting a wrongko will be the difficult part. Sometimes you can find used empty ones on ePray and sometimes you can find new ones that have not been fitted and do the fitting yourself. I would hesitate sending a keris back to Jawa to have one custom made. Too many chances for loss.

milandro · 22nd April 2025, 04:59 PM

there is no need to send the kris to Jawa (or other parts of Indonesia)

You can make a good series of measurements and send pics and there are several people able to fashion a sheath to size.

I have done this 3 times and it came back slightly smaller a fit and I was able to find someone to make the final adjustments made.

In the NL we are fortunate enough to have a few people whom are more than capable to stain krises but this is not the case elsewhere.

HughChen · 27th April 2025, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milandro

there is no need to send the kris to Jawa (or other parts of Indonesia)

You can make a good series of measurements and send pics and there are several people able to fashion a sheath to size.

I have done this 3 times and it came back slightly smaller a fit and I was able to find someone to make the final adjustments made.

In the NL we are fortunate enough to have a few people whom are more than capable to stain krises but this is not the case elsewhere.

Hello, Milandro, where can we find those who can create a sheath for a keris without it?

milandro · 27th April 2025, 07:34 AM

You cannot find them on line they are local artisans and they only speak the local language.

I have got in touch with a, European broker who lives in Bali and buys and sells krises from all over the place , he also sells parts. I also know a Dutch dealer with experience in woodwork but he only goes to Indonesia every mow and then. There is also a shop around here which sells parts (but cannot provide the expertise to make them to measure).

I will send you the whatsapp contact of the European dealer

22nd April 2025, 04:16 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	I agree with Milandro that this is a nice, well formed old keris. While it might be nice to restain the blade i don't think it is a must in regards to "restoration". The blade, at least in the photos, appears to be rust free. The tip of the gonjo is bent up a but, but it could be dangerous to mess with that as you don't want to break it off trying to bend it back into place. I like to see a close up of the tip of the blade to see what is going on there. You should be able to loosen the glue on the hilt with some gentle heating at the base of the blade. It would be nice if you could free the hilt an position it properly. Getting a wrongko will be the difficult part. Sometimes you can find used empty ones on ePray and sometimes you can find new ones that have not been fitted and do the fitting yourself. I would hesitate sending a keris back to Jawa to have one custom made. Too many chances for loss.

22nd April 2025, 04:59 PM	#2
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 487	there is no need to send the kris to Jawa (or other parts of Indonesia) You can make a good series of measurements and send pics and there are several people able to fashion a sheath to size. I have done this 3 times and it came back slightly smaller a fit and I was able to find someone to make the final adjustments made. In the NL we are fortunate enough to have a few people whom are more than capable to stain krises but this is not the case elsewhere.

27th April 2025, 07:34 AM	#4
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 487	You cannot find them on line they are local artisans and they only speak the local language. I have got in touch with a, European broker who lives in Bali and buys and sells krises from all over the place , he also sells parts. I also know a Dutch dealer with experience in woodwork but he only goes to Indonesia every mow and then. There is also a shop around here which sells parts (but cannot provide the expertise to make them to measure). I will send you the whatsapp contact of the European dealer