Proper Bali Grip?

A. G. Maisey · 14th December 2006, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the dating on that picture, Michael.

You know, I've been giving a bit of thought to this grip question.I must admit that this particular aspect of keris grip is something I've never given much thought to previously.

Is it possible that although there may have been one generally accepted "ideal" way in which to grip the handle of a keris, either Bali keris, or Jawa keris, or possibly any other keris, individuals may have varied that "ideal" grip to suit themselves?

Or, alternatively, different hand positions were employed depending upon the way in which the keris was being used at the time?

Just maybe, there was no universal "one way suits all" grip.

Over the years I have come across two or three Bugis type keris where the handle had been turned in reverse position, and those handles had been fixed in place with damar. These keris gave every indication that they were direct from the area of use, not through a European dealer or collector. In one case, the handle had been shortened, and this keris with the shortened and reversed handle allows a very comfortable and useable grip.

Consider this:- used as a weapon, a keris is just a tool to do a job:- no more, no less.

A fork is a tool, and you've only got sit in a restaurant for ten minutes to see the multitude of different ways in which people employ a fork.There may be one ideal way to hold and use a fork, but that ideal way is not always used.

An axe is a tool, and an axe can be held in a number of different ways depending on the user, and depending on the job being done.

I'm inclined to think that if we had that magical time machine that could take us back and let us look at the way things really were, we might find that different people held their keris, and possibly used their keris, in different ways.

drdavid · 15th December 2006, 11:18 PM

Following on from Alan's comments you would also have to wonder whether the new owner of a keris would have tried a variety of handles to find the one best suited his hand. If you look at competitive fencers although the grips on their foils all look pretty similar, at the elite level they all vary subtly to suit the owners hands. As the keris became a less 'functional' tool this need for ideal grip would become less important and probably more stylised. I have no information to back any of this up and am just speculating on the 'form follows function' concept.
cheers
drd

14th December 2006, 10:24 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Thanks for the dating on that picture, Michael. You know, I've been giving a bit of thought to this grip question.I must admit that this particular aspect of keris grip is something I've never given much thought to previously. Is it possible that although there may have been one generally accepted "ideal" way in which to grip the handle of a keris, either Bali keris, or Jawa keris, or possibly any other keris, individuals may have varied that "ideal" grip to suit themselves? Or, alternatively, different hand positions were employed depending upon the way in which the keris was being used at the time? Just maybe, there was no universal "one way suits all" grip. Over the years I have come across two or three Bugis type keris where the handle had been turned in reverse position, and those handles had been fixed in place with damar. These keris gave every indication that they were direct from the area of use, not through a European dealer or collector. In one case, the handle had been shortened, and this keris with the shortened and reversed handle allows a very comfortable and useable grip. Consider this:- used as a weapon, a keris is just a tool to do a job:- no more, no less. A fork is a tool, and you've only got sit in a restaurant for ten minutes to see the multitude of different ways in which people employ a fork.There may be one ideal way to hold and use a fork, but that ideal way is not always used. An axe is a tool, and an axe can be held in a number of different ways depending on the user, and depending on the job being done. I'm inclined to think that if we had that magical time machine that could take us back and let us look at the way things really were, we might find that different people held their keris, and possibly used their keris, in different ways.

15th December 2006, 11:18 PM	#2
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 372	Following on from Alan's comments you would also have to wonder whether the new owner of a keris would have tried a variety of handles to find the one best suited his hand. If you look at competitive fencers although the grips on their foils all look pretty similar, at the elite level they all vary subtly to suit the owners hands. As the keris became a less 'functional' tool this need for ideal grip would become less important and probably more stylised. I have no information to back any of this up and am just speculating on the 'form follows function' concept. cheers drd