keris for comment..

BluErf · 15th October 2007, 04:29 PM

Yes, swasa is very hard because of the copper content, but the swasa pegs we've seen in tajong hilts are very thin. Considering that it has to be hammered into hard wood like kemuning or kenaung is still quite a feat.

I think this tajong is a early 20th century example judging from the form. I think there should have been an earlier thread on the evolution of the tajong hilt through the ages...

A. G. Maisey · 15th October 2007, 10:20 PM

I do not know how these craftsmen placed pins of relatively soft metal into relatively hard wood. In fact, until I read it here, I had no idea that these swasa fittings were sometimes pinned into place, however, I do know how this is done in the European tradition.

Basically, there are two ways of doing this, or a combination of those two ways.

You drill a "pipe hole" into the wood, of marginally smaller diameter than the pin you wish to insert, or you drill as small a hole as you are able, even though this hole may be bigger than the pin, and you then use an adhesive in the hole to grip the pin; a hotmix adhesive such as damar, shellac, or jewellers wax is suitable.

It would surprise me if the craftsmen who fixed these swasa fittings in place did not use similar methods to those used by the European tradition.

Battara · 16th October 2007, 12:50 AM

Thank you Maisy, this is how I would (and have) done it.

A. G. Maisey · 16th October 2007, 02:26 AM

Battara, A.G.Maisey is not a nickname, nor a nom de plume, it is my actual name.

My first name is Alan, and I would prefer that you used this part of my name to address me. Thanks for your consideration.

zartane · 16th October 2007, 11:35 AM

here is the keris with the swasa polished..

Henk · 16th October 2007, 05:30 PM

I think I love it!!!!!

Battara · 17th October 2007, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Battara, A.G.Maisey is not a nickname, nor a nom de plume, it is my actual name.

My first name is Alan, and I would prefer that you used this part of my name to address me. Thanks for your consideration.

My humble apologies Alan.

A. G. Maisey · 17th October 2007, 03:27 AM

Thank you for your apology, Battara, but "humble" is unnecessary. Most people here use nicknames, and pen names. Unless you knew me personally it would be quite reasonable to think that the name I am using is not my actual name.

16th October 2007, 11:35 AM	#5
zartane Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 38	here is the keris with the swasa polished.. Attached Images

15th October 2007, 04:29 PM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Yes, swasa is very hard because of the copper content, but the swasa pegs we've seen in tajong hilts are very thin. Considering that it has to be hammered into hard wood like kemuning or kenaung is still quite a feat. I think this tajong is a early 20th century example judging from the form. I think there should have been an earlier thread on the evolution of the tajong hilt through the ages...

15th October 2007, 10:20 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	I do not know how these craftsmen placed pins of relatively soft metal into relatively hard wood. In fact, until I read it here, I had no idea that these swasa fittings were sometimes pinned into place, however, I do know how this is done in the European tradition. Basically, there are two ways of doing this, or a combination of those two ways. You drill a "pipe hole" into the wood, of marginally smaller diameter than the pin you wish to insert, or you drill as small a hole as you are able, even though this hole may be bigger than the pin, and you then use an adhesive in the hole to grip the pin; a hotmix adhesive such as damar, shellac, or jewellers wax is suitable. It would surprise me if the craftsmen who fixed these swasa fittings in place did not use similar methods to those used by the European tradition.

16th October 2007, 12:50 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Thank you Maisy, this is how I would (and have) done it.

16th October 2007, 02:26 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Battara, A.G.Maisey is not a nickname, nor a nom de plume, it is my actual name. My first name is Alan, and I would prefer that you used this part of my name to address me. Thanks for your consideration.

16th October 2007, 05:30 PM	#6
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	I think I love it!!!!!

17th October 2007, 03:27 AM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Thank you for your apology, Battara, but "humble" is unnecessary. Most people here use nicknames, and pen names. Unless you knew me personally it would be quite reasonable to think that the name I am using is not my actual name.