Origin of the Kris switchblade

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Tendoncutter
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2018 6:06 am

Re: Origin of the Kris switchblade

Post by Tendoncutter »

Reasonable speculation...? :mrgreen: :) :D
From an edge geometry standpoint, each of the convex portions of the edge profile would act as a sharp point of friction--or a smooth serration--, potentially causing for a longer wound channel. Furthermore, it is my understanding that the correct technique for use of stilettos and such knives, is that of stabbing and wiggling it around a bit to cut the insides up and broaden the wound channel. I would think that each sharp groove on the edge of the kriss blade would act as a separate point of contact to the insides of an adversary--in said scenario.
Just my thoughts :)
Fishtail Picklock
Posts: 2207
Joined: Sat May 03, 2003 11:10 pm
Location: Forest Grove, OR

Re: Origin of the Kris switchblade

Post by Fishtail Picklock »

The 9" Kris blade (as in this one):

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v675/ ... ufegeq.jpg" alt="Image"/>

Has a certain deadly cache' that appeals to me. I would like to have someone build me a modern 5mm Picklock back spring/blade Brazilain horn version.
Fishtail Picklock
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Billyfish
Posts: 250
Joined: Thu May 16, 2019 8:39 pm
Location: Amity, MA

Re: Origin of the Kris switchblade

Post by Billyfish »

Krissblade wrote: Tue Oct 31, 2017 7:14 am Kriss blades several thousand years ago were carried in India as well as Persia. They were passed down as family heirlooms.from father to son and so on. Some Kriss blades were said to have magical powers. They can be good luck or bad luck depending on the owner and the blade. Some say that if called by their true name they will stand up on end and kill at will. Master blade smiths would sometimes fuse these special blades with poison such as arsenic. Folk lore tells of the blade pointed at some one will cause death one way or another like a curse. Unless grounded by touching the blade to the earth. One story told of monks hiking out to recover a meteorite to make these magical blades which were carried for defense as well as an amulet
The true keris opriginated in Java.
I'ts a bit of a read but quite interesting.
http://www.kerisattosanaji.com/INTERPRETATIONPAGE1.html

Granted the descriptor kriss has fallen into common usage when referring to this form of blade. A better term possibly would be flamboyant, but I doubt that is ever going to happen. Flamboyant blades are found on Rapiers, Landsnecht zwiehander swords and some European daggers, but they have no relation to the kriss or keris.
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