THE KERIS MAKING EXPERT OF KUALA KANGSAR, PERAK, MALAYSIA.

   The legendari keris, Tamin Sari, is purportedly used by the famous Melaka warrior, Hang Tuah. Bequeathed as a gift from Sultan Mahmud Shah of the Melaka Sultanate to the first Sultan of Perak, Sultan Mudzaffar Shah, as such, is now in the collection of the Perak Royalty in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. It is therefore appropraite that one of the most well known keris making master in the Malaysia is found here.

Encik Abdul Mazin, the expert keris maker.

   Encik Abdul Mazin b. Abdul Jamil is at present the 3rd generation keris making master in his family. It started with his grandfather, Encik Pandak b. Tukang Mamat. This pioneer passed on his keris making skill to his son, Encik Abdul Jamil b. Pandak Lam (Encik Abdul Mazin's father).

   At the tender age of 10, Encik Abdul Mazin was already helping his father. When he was 12, he can start to make his own keris. From 1962 to 1976, he was accompanying his father to exhibitions and demonstrations at Muzium Negara, Universty Malaya and Genting Highlands. By 1976, after serving his long apprenticeship, he finally qualified as a master keris maker in his own right.

   Now this family skill trade secret is already into the 4th generations. His two sons, Shaiful Hazrin, age 23 and Mokhtar Hakim, age 21 are almost at the threshhold of being considered expert keris makers.

   Encik Abdul Mazin and his family have made keris for many foreigners and local dignitaries. many of their clients would bring their family heirlooms to be forged into the keris blades. He even has a couple of very mystical keris which I was not allowed to hold or photograph.

This is not considered a keris. The handle and sheath are made from broken pieces of ivory given to Encik Abdul Mazin by one of his African clients.

Heating and softening the metal so that it can be forged and folded easily to be shape into the blade.

Hammering the heated up metal to be form into the blade.

Slowly the waves (luks or lekuks) of the blade are formed.

The blade is then soaked in lime juice and wrapped in sulphur mixture to bring out the veins in the blade.

The handle or hilt is cut out of wood, ivory or bones. Carvings are added to enhance its look.

A well crafted keris should be able to stand upright by itself.

A typical keris blade and its design.

Anatomy and name of different parts of a keris blade.











Address: 399A, Kampong Pandang Changkat, Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Malaysia.
Handphone: 0176561040.

Link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkvTpr4rz5s