![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,255
|
![]()
Could this be a Lumad version/interpretation of a Moro kris? I certainly would like to see a decent pic of the gangya area but I've seen quite a few examples with that broad lower gangya and atypical file work (which I'd guess wouldn't be done by a traditional Moro bladesmith). Bagobo/T'boli/Tagakaolo pieces can vary widely in quality - from twisted core examples to poor ones merely clobbered together...
BTW, what's the blade's maximum thickness at the gangya area? Are the clamps and other hilt fittings made from aluminium? I agree that this is most likely a recent revision/addition. Regards, Kai |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 478
|
![]() Quote:
I think the version/interpretation may be right on! Someone went to a great deal of trouble with ornamenting the handle and the clamps. I do think they are aluminum, and they show little signs of wear compared to the blade so I agree it was added much later. I'll measure the thickness and get back to you, I'm at work and don't have the sword with me, but it is very thin compared to my other Moro swords. I am not sure how the seller determined age, perhaps by the one-piece gangya. Just looking at the black rust on the blade and the wear, it gives the appearance of being old. I can’t explain why, but I like it. It feels like a weapon, not a wall hanger |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 478
|
![]()
Here are a few photos. They are not great either. I only had the camera in my phone to take them with. One day I WILL get a digital camera, really!
Quote:
So any ideas? |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,255
|
![]() Quote:
![]() Regards, Kai |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,211
|
![]()
I am afraid that from these photos i've got a better idea of what your rug in your living room looks like than i do this kris.
![]() Try shooting it outdoors, preferrably not in direct sunlight (overcast days are great. Try to keep the focus on the blade, not the background. ![]() I agree with Kai that this is probably a post WW2 kris, but i don't think that necessarily makes it a "repro". Is the blade edge-sharp? |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,255
|
![]() Quote:
That being said, I tend to think of blades as repros if they haven't been produced by the traditional bladesmithing techniques. For example monosteel (possibly from leaf springs) just hammered into shape or even mere stock removal. I have one kris which I believe to be of Lumad origin which has a (separate) gangya over 10mm thick. And the same is also true for all my Moro kris. A much thinner gangya seems to imply non-adherance to traditional bladesmithing standards or possibly ignorance by the smith (something you routinely see in examples coming out of Luzon, for example). OTOH, it may be difficult to apply objective criteria to differentiate between a successive devolution of bladesmithing skills/knowledge (which obviously happened inside Moro culture, too) and applying non-traditional techniques... Regards, Kai |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 478
|
![]()
There is not much if any of a distal taper. It has a raised central rib that is roughly the same .5 cm. It is very sharp. I would say easily as sharp as the other Moro swords I have. I need to etch it to be sure but it does seem to have signs of a hardened edge. I don't see any signs of being laminated, so possibly a leaf spring as. it is forged and there are numerous forgeing flaws throughout the blade. As for the photos until I can get a real digital camera with a adjustable focal length,this is as good as it gets. It was a camera in my phone.
One thing I find intresting is the elephant trunk looks more keris like then kris like. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|