1/2 + 1/2 makes 1?

sirek · 8th July 2012, 04:04 PM

After removing a thick layer of rust, there appears a keris made of two pieces?

After cleaning, some questions came to my mind:
Was it done because someone appreciates the "pusaka" value of one half?
Or imho. this was made of two different broken pieces, and becomes a commercial keris.

But still, is it not difficult (and expensive) to forge two distinct halves together?

I would like to hear if anyone knows about these fabrications / repairs.

Thank you in advance,

Jean · 8th July 2012, 08:05 PM

Corroded sor-soran repaired by welding?

Regards

A. G. Maisey · 9th July 2012, 09:38 AM

From the photos I cannot say with certainty, but the most likely explanation for this is that the maker miscalculated in the forging, and has needed to leave in place the residue of the protective layer used when welding pamor miring, in order to provide the width and thickness required in the sorsoran.

sirek · 9th July 2012, 04:36 PM

mr. Maisey thanks for your comment,

miscalculation of the maker had not yet occurred to me.
but that option is reasonable to assume, because if I look more closely
the "fault line" is not at the same level and I guessed that if a keris would break, he just might break in half

Rick · 12th July 2012, 01:59 AM

I would imagine a blade like this would be hard to break unless a major cold shut was present .

Richard Furrer · 13th July 2012, 05:15 PM

I do not know as much about these blades as Alan, but it appears to be a rather standard lap weld. I have several old non-keris blades with the same type of weld.
I think it uncommon a manufacturing technique for keris, but not at all rare for blacksmith techniques in general.

I would think if the outer sides were left in place then the weld would not be at the consistent angle on the edge...it appears to be two pieces...not three with an uneven grind.

It could be
-two keris blades being saved and reworked into one
or
-making one blade from bits laying around

Ric

A. G. Maisey · 13th July 2012, 09:03 PM

Yes Richard, I agree that this does look like a standard, run-of-the-mill lap weld, but as with many of the comments I make in respect of keris, I am not giving my opinion on this blade simply from the appearance of the blade in the photo. I have seen a similar thing done a number of times before. In addition to what I have previously seen, the material that has been used for the sorsoran and gonjo of this blade is of remarkably poor quality:- it is not what we could expect to see used for a keris blade, but it is exactly what we could expect to see used as sacrificial material to protect a pattern weld. Still, without having the thing in my hand, it is difficult to be certain of anything.

sirek · 14th July 2012, 05:46 PM

Thank you gentlemen for your opinion, and explanations.

I share your opinion about the”craftsmanship” poor quality, but it was a strange appearance for me I had never seen before and now it's all a bit clearer to me.

Mr. Maisey I respect your opinion even if all based on a photograph displayed on a computer screen,

8th July 2012, 04:04 PM	#1
sirek Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 165	1/2 + 1/2 makes 1? After removing a thick layer of rust, there appears a keris made of two pieces? After cleaning, some questions came to my mind: Was it done because someone appreciates the "pusaka" value of one half? Or imho. this was made of two different broken pieces, and becomes a commercial keris. But still, is it not difficult (and expensive) to forge two distinct halves together? I would like to hear if anyone knows about these fabrications / repairs. Thank you in advance, Attached Images

9th July 2012, 04:36 PM	#4
sirek Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 165	mr. Maisey thanks for your comment, miscalculation of the maker had not yet occurred to me. but that option is reasonable to assume, because if I look more closely the "fault line" is not at the same level and I guessed that if a keris would break, he just might break in half Attached Images

8th July 2012, 08:05 PM	#2
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Corroded sor-soran repaired by welding? Regards

9th July 2012, 09:38 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,697	From the photos I cannot say with certainty, but the most likely explanation for this is that the maker miscalculated in the forging, and has needed to leave in place the residue of the protective layer used when welding pamor miring, in order to provide the width and thickness required in the sorsoran.

12th July 2012, 01:59 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	I would imagine a blade like this would be hard to break unless a major cold shut was present .

13th July 2012, 05:15 PM	#6
Richard Furrer Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 163	I do not know as much about these blades as Alan, but it appears to be a rather standard lap weld. I have several old non-keris blades with the same type of weld. I think it uncommon a manufacturing technique for keris, but not at all rare for blacksmith techniques in general. I would think if the outer sides were left in place then the weld would not be at the consistent angle on the edge...it appears to be two pieces...not three with an uneven grind. It could be -two keris blades being saved and reworked into one or -making one blade from bits laying around Ric

13th July 2012, 09:03 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,697	Yes Richard, I agree that this does look like a standard, run-of-the-mill lap weld, but as with many of the comments I make in respect of keris, I am not giving my opinion on this blade simply from the appearance of the blade in the photo. I have seen a similar thing done a number of times before. In addition to what I have previously seen, the material that has been used for the sorsoran and gonjo of this blade is of remarkably poor quality:- it is not what we could expect to see used for a keris blade, but it is exactly what we could expect to see used as sacrificial material to protect a pattern weld. Still, without having the thing in my hand, it is difficult to be certain of anything.

14th July 2012, 05:46 PM	#8
sirek Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 165	Thank you gentlemen for your opinion, and explanations. I share your opinion about the”craftsmanship” poor quality, but it was a strange appearance for me I had never seen before and now it's all a bit clearer to me. Mr. Maisey I respect your opinion even if all based on a photograph displayed on a computer screen,