Keris Iron

Iron is the most important element in making the keris, spears, swords, and other traditional weapons. Unlike the other nations, the Indonesian people to know without going through the metal iron, bronze era. That is found in many tools made of iron, but rarely made of bronze.

Iron sand found in many places on the island of Java to create a population It is a skilful smith. Arts hammering in Indonesia may not have high quality as we know now, if not available the raw materials that quite a lot.

Knowledge of the Javanese iron is not limited to fuller knowledge, but also distinguish the type of compound in a one-iron and other iron. Reviewed from the point of modern science, knowledge concerning the matter of the Javanese mineral iron is not quite scientific.

Science iron Javanese do not use the size and measurements of a science, but on sentiment and all body sense. Javanese period prior to distinguish different types of iron with the way, hear the sound when beaten slowly, with a finger, and with a feeling heart. Because of that traditional knowledge is difficult to iron learned and made notes difficult.


Raden Ngabehi Ronggowarsito, poet of Surakarta palace in the 19th century also try to make notes on the various types of iron materials tosan ruler, known by the experts in Surakarta keris. Although written a poet, a record that is still difficult to understand.