Moro Kris, my design made by TFW
Sept 28, 2009 22:21:59 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2009 22:21:59 GMT
After much consideration AND recommendation, I have decided on having a couple of custom blades done by Ron of Traditional Filipino Weapons, both of which will be kris. I've had a custom kris produced once before with Cecil of Kris Cutlery and had a great experience doing so, but I involved myself too little in the design process. It still produced an amazing blade (Kris Cutlery produces wonderful stuff) but the weight distribution wasn't exactly what I was looking for.
Long story short, I've sold that custom to a member of another forum (and I can foresee amazing woodworking/carving results) and have decided to start fresh. I feel like now I know more about what I want out of the weight, balance, and feel of my kris. As a result I've come up with a design that can lend itself to easier handling and a simple, sensible shape.
In the end what distinguishes it is that it's going to be distinctly less broad than the common Moro Kris and won't have a forward curve. It's also not technically a real kris, as it's not made in Mindanao -- TFW's blades are distinctly similar to Baguio-area blades, but Baguio and areas close by are where a lot of modern production functional blades are made and the quality has been praised by the likes of noted sword enthusiast Hank Reinhardt, who had several production blades made for himself from the pandays (bladesmiths) there.
here are mock-up pictures and notes for the first one (crappy MS paint edits ftw by the way):
The second design is less functional and therefore I need less instruction/notes in the design. I basically just wanted a kris that looked similar to the more decorative kris that some datu (The Moros of mindanao were ruled in a feudal system, and a Datu is akin to a king or shogun or what have you. the conventional translation into english is usually "Chieftain" if that helps.) would carry. Here are the MS paint mock up pics and notes:
Also, communicating with Ron has been amazing. He's always quick to respond and is very concise. Fast communication to the point. Great person to deal with so far. These swords are being made as we speak and Ron has estimated that I should recieve them in about a month or two.
I have also found an antique Kris collector who does restorations on older kris. He is willing to work on these blades when finished to make them more historically accurate in the hilt and sheath areas.
Thoughts? comments? I'll be sure to post pics ASAP when they get here.
Long story short, I've sold that custom to a member of another forum (and I can foresee amazing woodworking/carving results) and have decided to start fresh. I feel like now I know more about what I want out of the weight, balance, and feel of my kris. As a result I've come up with a design that can lend itself to easier handling and a simple, sensible shape.
In the end what distinguishes it is that it's going to be distinctly less broad than the common Moro Kris and won't have a forward curve. It's also not technically a real kris, as it's not made in Mindanao -- TFW's blades are distinctly similar to Baguio-area blades, but Baguio and areas close by are where a lot of modern production functional blades are made and the quality has been praised by the likes of noted sword enthusiast Hank Reinhardt, who had several production blades made for himself from the pandays (bladesmiths) there.
here are mock-up pictures and notes for the first one (crappy MS paint edits ftw by the way):
The second design is less functional and therefore I need less instruction/notes in the design. I basically just wanted a kris that looked similar to the more decorative kris that some datu (The Moros of mindanao were ruled in a feudal system, and a Datu is akin to a king or shogun or what have you. the conventional translation into english is usually "Chieftain" if that helps.) would carry. Here are the MS paint mock up pics and notes:
Also, communicating with Ron has been amazing. He's always quick to respond and is very concise. Fast communication to the point. Great person to deal with so far. These swords are being made as we speak and Ron has estimated that I should recieve them in about a month or two.
I have also found an antique Kris collector who does restorations on older kris. He is willing to work on these blades when finished to make them more historically accurate in the hilt and sheath areas.
Thoughts? comments? I'll be sure to post pics ASAP when they get here.