PAMOR

Pamor

The most striking feature of the keris is the damascene or "Pamor".
Pamor is formed becaused the keris is not made from a homogenous
piece of metal but a combination of iron, steel and iron with a
high nickel content. The iron gives the keris its body, and the steel 
its cutting edge. It is the nickel that gives the blade its pamor.
The pamor is brought out and made visible through a process of
washing the finished blade in a solution of arsenic and lime juice.
Base iron turns black in such a solution while the nickle remains
unaffected. Smiths or Empu ( a term of respect) have learnt and
mastered the art of laying out nickel and  diredting the forging to
give a desired pamor. So advanced is the skill now that you can
order a blade with your name or a Koranic text in pamor.

Click on the highlighted words below to get to where
you want to go next.

1.  The Keris - Forward & Contents

2.  The Keris - An Introduction

3.  The Blade

4.  Details of the Blade

5.  Dapur

6.  Pamor

7.  Pamor Types

8. The Hilt, Sheath and Other Fittings

9.  The Hilt

10.  The Hilt Rings

11. The Sheath

12. The Mystical Aspect

13. Why I like the Keris...A technical and Cultural View

14. References

GALLERY

LINKS

Keris Cleaning During Muharram

THE Friends' Gallery

If you want to talk keris mail me at :
dspf@pacific.net.sg