Battered kris

kai · 15th October 2007, 12:21 AM

Hello Emanuel,

You'll also have to carve a new pommel (now missing).

Please keep us posted about the progress - will be nice to see this blade etched!

Regards,
Kai

Emanuel · 15th October 2007, 01:43 AM

Thanks Henk and Flavio. Kai, which type of pommel do you think would be more appropriate, a cocatua or a horse hoof.
Do you have any indication as to which tribe this kris might be?

Thanks,
Emanuel

Henk · 15th October 2007, 10:01 AM

Emanuel,

Maybe Kai is right and you need to carve a new pommel. The hilt does look a bit tiny on the picture comparing to the blade. On the other hand, I have a moro kris with such a hiltshape that is covered with woven ratan bands. The lengt of that hilt fits exactly in my hand.

kai · 15th October 2007, 01:00 PM

Hello Emanuel,

Could you show a pic of the end of the hilt?

Quote:

Do you have any indication as to which tribe this kris might be?

The scabbard is typical for Maguindanao. The blade may be Sulu (not sure since the pics are taken at an angle). Obviously, many Sulu blades got traded and ended up in Maguindanao fittings.

Quote:

Kai, which type of pommel do you think would be more appropriate, a cocatua or a horse hoof.

I think that depends on you: Since any kris is an unique piece, the owner decides what he likes best (and can afford or is allowed to wear by tradition).

I'd guess that this kris used to have a kakatua pommel (bent asang-asang extensions, size and form of grip) and that also would be probably the most often seen hilt type. There are several kakatua varieties associated with Maguindanao pieces though.

The hilt Henk showed is also very commonly seen with Maguindanao kris; it's also the most easiest to reproduce. You can probably live with just carving the end piece and fitting it to the present grip. The braided/woven jute seems to be beyond rescue. (Make sure to store the remains for future reference though!)

Since trade was extensive you could choose just about any Moro kris hilt type and go with it but I'd probably avoid more localized types like typical Sulu horse hoof pommel, etc.

Regards,
Kai

Emanuel · 15th October 2007, 07:06 PM

Thank you for the picture Henk, I must say that I like this type of hilt. It's simple and elegant I think.

Kai, I have not received the kris yet, but I will take and post new pics as soon as I get it. If the hilt has a recessed part on the end to fit a pommel into then I will likely carve a new one. Otherwise I don't wuite know how I would attach the pommel - gluing it is not an attractive option. If it is just flat like Henk's then I may just leave it and redo the cloth wrapping.

Best regards,
Emanuel

Emanuel · 20th January 2008, 02:18 AM

Well, I've had the kris for a while now and as soon as I got it I realized that the hilt had been pretty much splits into fragments. So I've been playing around with carving a brand new one. I understand that banati wood is very often used on kris, but I haven't been able to find any information on this essence. Does anyone know the scientific or international name for this type of wood?
I could always use other slightly different but similar woods more readily accessible.

Thanks,
Emanuel

Emanuel · 20th January 2008, 02:49 PM

I just read about santol and langka woods being used in absence of banati. Is banati also known as ramin, and endangered essence?

Battara · 21st January 2008, 01:32 AM

Banati is not a species of wood but the root wood or burl. That being said, most of the wood used was narra (inside part red and outside part brown). Narra is now endangered. I may have a hilt coming in soon if you are interested.

15th October 2007, 10:01 AM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Emanuel, Maybe Kai is right and you need to carve a new pommel. The hilt does look a bit tiny on the picture comparing to the blade. On the other hand, I have a moro kris with such a hiltshape that is covered with woven ratan bands. The lengt of that hilt fits exactly in my hand. Attached Images

15th October 2007, 12:21 AM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Emanuel, You'll also have to carve a new pommel (now missing). Please keep us posted about the progress - will be nice to see this blade etched! Regards, Kai

15th October 2007, 01:43 AM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Thanks Henk and Flavio. Kai, which type of pommel do you think would be more appropriate, a cocatua or a horse hoof. Do you have any indication as to which tribe this kris might be? Thanks, Emanuel

15th October 2007, 07:06 PM	#5
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Thank you for the picture Henk, I must say that I like this type of hilt. It's simple and elegant I think. Kai, I have not received the kris yet, but I will take and post new pics as soon as I get it. If the hilt has a recessed part on the end to fit a pommel into then I will likely carve a new one. Otherwise I don't wuite know how I would attach the pommel - gluing it is not an attractive option. If it is just flat like Henk's then I may just leave it and redo the cloth wrapping. Best regards, Emanuel

20th January 2008, 02:18 AM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Well, I've had the kris for a while now and as soon as I got it I realized that the hilt had been pretty much splits into fragments. So I've been playing around with carving a brand new one. I understand that banati wood is very often used on kris, but I haven't been able to find any information on this essence. Does anyone know the scientific or international name for this type of wood? I could always use other slightly different but similar woods more readily accessible. Thanks, Emanuel

20th January 2008, 02:49 PM	#7
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	I just read about santol and langka woods being used in absence of banati. Is banati also known as ramin, and endangered essence?

21st January 2008, 01:32 AM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Banati is not a species of wood but the root wood or burl. That being said, most of the wood used was narra (inside part red and outside part brown). Narra is now endangered. I may have a hilt coming in soon if you are interested.