The visible part of gonjo when Keris sheathed

BluErf · 30th January 2010, 02:23 AM

Hi,

In general, kerises, esp Malay kerises from the Peninsula, have more of the ganja sticking out. But in general, the line joining the ganja and the blade should not rise above the sheath. On the Sumatra side, there are also Malay kerises showing the ganja, but not as much.

For Bugis kerises, they tend to be flush, or rise a bit above the sheath. Your Sulawesi example (1st one) showing slightly more ganja than we usually see for a Sulawesi Bugis keris (I have a Buton keris, Buton is a small island South of main Sulawesi island, which has a ganja that sticks out even more than yours). However, from what I see, this keris is well-fitted to the sheath, and looks quite nice actually. I would not recommend refitting the keris. For the Sumatran example, I think it is well acceptable too.

Another factor to consider is also the age of the sheath. With repeated drawing and sheathing, the mouth of the sheath wears down, and the blade would gradually sit lower and lower into the sheath.

BluErf · 30th January 2010, 02:36 AM

Malay Peninsula e.g.

BluErf · 30th January 2010, 02:38 AM

Sumatran e.g.

BluErf · 30th January 2010, 02:39 AM

Sulawesi e.g.

Unusual Buton e.g. is at the bottom.

David · 30th January 2010, 02:58 AM

I could be wrong, bit AFAIK Gustav, the Bali keris you show an example of would be considered a bad fit. I believe that the Balinese tradition should have the gonjo flush to the top of the sheath.

Naga Sasra · 30th January 2010, 04:28 AM

I would certainly agree with David, the Bali keris shown as an example is indeed a bad fit.
The norm for Bali/Lombok is for the ganja to be flush to the top of the sheath.

Gustav · 30th January 2010, 12:13 PM

Blu Erf, thank you very much for your explanation and beautiful examples.

30th January 2010, 02:36 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Malay Peninsula e.g. Attached Images

30th January 2010, 02:38 AM	#3
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Sumatran e.g. Attached Images

30th January 2010, 02:39 AM	#4
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Sulawesi e.g. Unusual Buton e.g. is at the bottom. Attached Images

30th January 2010, 02:23 AM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi, In general, kerises, esp Malay kerises from the Peninsula, have more of the ganja sticking out. But in general, the line joining the ganja and the blade should not rise above the sheath. On the Sumatra side, there are also Malay kerises showing the ganja, but not as much. For Bugis kerises, they tend to be flush, or rise a bit above the sheath. Your Sulawesi example (1st one) showing slightly more ganja than we usually see for a Sulawesi Bugis keris (I have a Buton keris, Buton is a small island South of main Sulawesi island, which has a ganja that sticks out even more than yours). However, from what I see, this keris is well-fitted to the sheath, and looks quite nice actually. I would not recommend refitting the keris. For the Sumatran example, I think it is well acceptable too. Another factor to consider is also the age of the sheath. With repeated drawing and sheathing, the mouth of the sheath wears down, and the blade would gradually sit lower and lower into the sheath.

30th January 2010, 02:58 AM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,261	I could be wrong, bit AFAIK Gustav, the Bali keris you show an example of would be considered a bad fit. I believe that the Balinese tradition should have the gonjo flush to the top of the sheath.

30th January 2010, 04:28 AM	#6
Naga Sasra Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Boca Raton, Florida, USA Posts: 108	I would certainly agree with David, the Bali keris shown as an example is indeed a bad fit. The norm for Bali/Lombok is for the ganja to be flush to the top of the sheath.

30th January 2010, 12:13 PM	#7
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,306	Blu Erf, thank you very much for your explanation and beautiful examples.