Soul of the Keris

Pusaka · 21st February 2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Yes, but generally weren't the hilts on keris meant for fighting fixed to the pesi with resin?

Yes I heard resin and hair/string? I actually have never seen a keris with resin fixing the handle to the pesi. Even if this was done the pesi is a point of weakness as its such a thin bit of metal, a solid metal handle would be better I would think.

If I were to make a few changes to the keris I would make perhaps three. I would forge the handle and blade as one, serrate the blade so it would be better for slashing and change the shape of the gadjah to a small hook so it can slash like a miniature krembit.

PenangsangII · 22nd February 2009, 11:14 AM

sorry, a little bit off track..... keris is first & foremost a weapon. I think a lot of people agreed with this fact in some of the old threads. When i talked about "self defense" surely it meant keris wasnt the 1st choice weapon in war.

Regarding the esoteric value in a keris for fighting, yes the "isian" may help it's owner somewhat, but the decisive factor still rests with the owner.

I'm not sure where you come from Pusaka, but I live within the keris culture, Malay peninsula, sumatra & Bugis keris culture..... keris is still regarded as "king of weapon" in this part of the world.

I dont know where you get the idea of my having "8 points ilmu" which coincidently resembling a a keris combat philosophy in the silat i practise called "lapan penjuru angin bermata satu". Do I know you?

David · 22nd February 2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pusaka

If I were to make a few changes to the keris I would make perhaps three. I would forge the handle and blade as one, serrate the blade so it would be better for slashing and change the shape of the gadjah to a small hook so it can slash like a miniature krembit.

hmmm....my guess is that it would no longer be a keris then.

Personally i wouldn't change a thing.

Pusaka · 23rd February 2009, 05:34 PM

PenangsangII, To my knowledge I dont think we know each other.
Some very rare keris are said to have powerful isi, but even then the isi is a part of the owner or maker of the keris.
I however was not talking about the action of the isi when the keris is pointed at an attacker, rather I was talking about the action of the owner to defend himself with the knowledge of the keris and its relation to the eight point jurus attacks ie keris used to defend without contact (I cant say anything more on this).

Pusaka · 23rd February 2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

hmmm....my guess is that it would no longer be a keris then.

Personally i wouldn't change a thing.

A Keris Sajen has a iron handle incorporated with the blade and is considered a keris, basically it would be the same only that small serrations would be added to the luk. This was done in some Indian curved blade knives to improve slashing.

David · 23rd February 2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pusaka

A Keris Sajen has a iron handle incorporated with the blade and is considered a keris, basically it would be the same only that small serrations would be added to the luk. This was done in some Indian curved blade knives to improve slashing.

I was more referring to serrating the edge and changing the gonjo. Personally i find perfection in the keris as is and know that it is not my place to redesign a weapon that has existed pretty much in the same form for close to a millennium.

Rick · 24th February 2009, 04:45 PM

A few years of ritual washing will give all the serrated edge you need ..

Lew · 24th February 2009, 05:38 PM

The bottom line on keris is if you are carrying one in the royal court or in the street and someone attacks you with a similar size weapon than yes the keris can be used in self defense. I absolutely would not use a keris in a battle field situation as a primary weapon.

Lew

22nd February 2009, 11:14 AM	#2
PenangsangII Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 401	sorry, a little bit off track..... keris is first & foremost a weapon. I think a lot of people agreed with this fact in some of the old threads. When i talked about "self defense" surely it meant keris wasnt the 1st choice weapon in war. Regarding the esoteric value in a keris for fighting, yes the "isian" may help it's owner somewhat, but the decisive factor still rests with the owner. I'm not sure where you come from Pusaka, but I live within the keris culture, Malay peninsula, sumatra & Bugis keris culture..... keris is still regarded as "king of weapon" in this part of the world. I dont know where you get the idea of my having "8 points ilmu" which coincidently resembling a a keris combat philosophy in the silat i practise called "lapan penjuru angin bermata satu". Do I know you?

23rd February 2009, 05:34 PM	#4
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	PenangsangII, To my knowledge I dont think we know each other. Some very rare keris are said to have powerful isi, but even then the isi is a part of the owner or maker of the keris. I however was not talking about the action of the isi when the keris is pointed at an attacker, rather I was talking about the action of the owner to defend himself with the knowledge of the keris and its relation to the eight point jurus attacks ie keris used to defend without contact (I cant say anything more on this).

24th February 2009, 04:45 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	A few years of ritual washing will give all the serrated edge you need ..

24th February 2009, 05:38 PM	#8
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The bottom line on keris is if you are carrying one in the royal court or in the street and someone attacks you with a similar size weapon than yes the keris can be used in self defense. I absolutely would not use a keris in a battle field situation as a primary weapon. Lew