New keris?

[PenangsangII]

Thanks for your lengthy clarification Alan. Actually I was not trying to critisize Scratch's keris as being bad as I was rather trying to point out that nerjah landep is generally considered bad - aesthetically and esoterically. Furthermore, though of Jawanese ethnicity, I live in within Malay culture that considers keris first & foremost a weapon. So, I cannot imagine this type of keris being actually used..... I guess it is my bad

[A. G. Maisey]

Penangsang, its nobody's "bad"---whatever that might mean.

My comments were general, and not aimed specifically at you, had they been, I would have made it clear.

May I suggest a little less sensitivity?

As to the question of suitability of Scratch's keris as a weapon, again, we need to be realistic in the appraisal of a keris. This is a current era keris, made as art, not as weaponry. It is unrealistic to apply standards to this keris which the maker did not apply.

Were it an old keris, made with probable intent to be used as a weapon, it could be criticised for failing to satisfy this function. As a current era keris, made as artistic expression, such criticism cannot be applied.

Agreed, if the pamor enters the edge of a blade, or even enters its gusen, that is evidence of less than wonderful skill---or perhaps care--- on the part of the maker, however, in Javanese and Madurese keris, this deficiency will be found 9 times out of ten. The only blade form where we can almost certainly rely upon this fault failing to occur is the Bugis, and often the Peninsula forms, and this can be easily understood, as these blade forms have prioritised weapon functionality above artistic expression; the manner in which these blades are carved virtually guarantees that the pamor will not enter the gusen.

Realism in appraisal calls for standards specific to the blade identity being applied to the blade in question.

We do not appraise a keris of Pajajaran classification according to the same standards that we apply to a keris of Surakarta classification.Nor do we apply the standards of a Javanese keris to a Bugis keris--- or vice versa.

[scratch]

G'Day Gentlemen,
I lost a more detailed reply, sorry for brevity of post.
Thank you Rick, PanangsangII, A G Maisey for your communication, candor and clarity.
I have found discussion and photo of quality new keris very useful.
I have acquired a small keris collection unexpectedly. It may or may not have been a foolish decision I do like the collection and am enjoying learning more from all the informative posts and threads Thanks to All for sharing.
A G Maisey Thanks for sharing cengkrong info and visuals in my first post. Looking at the photos you povided and the picture in Kris Gli Invincibili, pg 41, I believe I have an example. are these uncommon? 18 5/8 blade, 24 3/4 in scabbard. Quality wise/weapon wise this is at the higher end I feel.
I am enjoying the posts, past and present very much. Thank you to All for sharing. I hope to post a few pieces to get other opinions and try to guage what I have.

Sincere thank and regards

Daniel

[Henk]

That's a nice balinese keris. Dapur cundrik if I'm not mistaken. The mendak is missing. The scabbard has a pendok.
Nice piece. Congrats!

[scratch]

Cheers Henk I had thought this blade to be "straight but with an unusual slant". Piece has a seperate gongo. Balinese

[Rick]

That looks like a keris pedang or Ligan .

[Marcokeris]

Mr. Ganjawulung gave me this gift (sarong and pendok) some time ago. At that time the gajaman was not till completely finish (there was not the final polishing). Slowly slowly i have finish the work and then i have find a blade....but i don't remember what kind of wood is this and what is the name!
Dear Ganja please can help me to know the name?