Kris Cutlery

[anguish]

Does anyone know anything about Kris cutlery? Are they good swords, or poor quality im open to any advice.Specifically on the katanas,

Thanks
Anguish

 

[Benjamin Liu]

I have several blades from Kris Cutlery: 2 Bonifacio bolos, a barong, a tanto, a 26" katana, a 29" katana, a wakizashi, and a ninja-to. They are tough blades and handle well.

 

[FullerH]

I can speak only to the historicity or historical accuracy of some of their Western blades, their Roman Pompeii Style gladius in particular. While I have heard that it is tough as nails, it leaves some to be desired as far as replicating a Pompeii Gladius from first or second century Rome is concerned. The scabbard looks nothing like anything that the Romans used in that it is plain wood without a leather covering, almost always seen on Roman swords unless the leather is replaced by elaborate metal plates. And the tang nut seems to me to be rather too pronounced, as does the mid-line ridge on the blade, although both may be withing the limits of what were made by the smiths back then. But they certainly were not commonly made that way.

My memory of their Viking sword is that it is fairly accurate except that they have put a rather sharper point on it than most of the swords of that era that we have found. Again, it is historically possible, but not to likely.

 

[Ferrous Wheel]

I also own quite a few of their pieces, and I even got an old Tombak (pattern-welded forged spearhead, abot 100 yrs old) from their Sandata site. Cecil and his operation are on the level, and make good pieces by using stock removal and then they heat treat the piece. The Asian and Filipino style blades are really sharp, being flat ground or convex ground.

I have purchased three swords, 2 kris daggers, 1 tanto, 2 tanto blades, and one Naginata blade from them over the course of 12 years. Oh, and the tombak.

Sure, the fittings on some european or Asian models my not be traditional, but they're closer on some. I personally like their spartan fit and finish, ti allows me to decorate the blades or fittings by etching carving and bluing.

Keith

 

[anguish]

Ok thanx i bought a katana 29" blade only.I am going to make my own custom Saya and handle .I recently aquired som carbon fiber im going to use with the handle to give it a more modern look but wrap it with black cord.Then black laquer the saya.


Tell me what you think
Anguish

 

[Benjamin Liu]

That is a good idea IMO. A friend of mine liked the blades on my swords but wanted a traditional handle and saya so he is buying a blade and building his own. I'll probably do that one of these days.