The Kris is a knife that commonly hails from the southern Philippine and north eastern Indonesian archipelago, although it’s found as far north and west as Thailand. Many cultures have blades that were largely utilitarian tools in nature, but that could also serve as weapons. The Kris was never anything other than a weapon. Blades were anywhere between 30 cm to 60 cm (1' to 2') in length, and with handles made of hardwood or buffalo horn.
Just like the shape and design of canoes or snowshoes or arrows would identify different tribes in North America, the number of waves and the notches in the blade near the handle, could identify the tribe, village or island where the Kris was constructed.
The Kris was used with fearsome effect in intertribal warfare, and, of course, against the United States in the early 20th century. The Moros (Filipino Moslems) fought against the presence of the U.S. armed forces in the Philippines following the expulsion of the Spanish after the Spanish American War for almost fifteen years.They used the Kris to fearsome effect. (One of the main reason why the .45 M1911 became the sidearm of the U.S. was that the .38 revolver was largely ineffectual at stopping determined Moros, who would often take multiple hits and still savage US troops with their blades.)
The design of the blade makes for a much wider wound channel when stabbed, and it’s effective as both a slashing and stabbing weapon. The tip is also less prone to be damaged when encountering resistance, than a straight dagger would be. It’s obviously a more difficult blade to forge though, compared to a straight blade.
Ed Schempp (who besides being a knife maker and metallurgist, is also a wheat farmer - the logo etched into the blade reflects that) has produced a whole series of knives for Spyderco based on traditional ethnic knife designs, including a Barong, Persian and Khukuri, but as folders rather than the usual fixed blades. This time he tackled a Kris style blade.
I reckon this might be the first and so far only folding Kris, and as usual Spyderco has done a really nice job of it. It will certainly appeal to practitioners of Filipino martial arts like Escrima or Kali (it’s been selected as the official knife of Albo Kali Silat, endorsed and recommended by its Grandmaster (Apo Hon Tuhon) Hasting Albo), but it can also be used for very utilitarian purposes. Originally Kris’ had an angled, almost pistol grip like handle, and it shows up here as well.The steel bolsters not only strengthen the knife at a weak point (the fold), but they’re also good when using it as a striking tool or applying pressure to pressure points.
The edges are nicely rounded, meaning it’s both comfortable when holding it and won’t damage pockets as much. The weight is 165 grams (5.8 oz.). A bit heavy, but very nicely balanced in the hand.
The overall length is 219 mm (8.625")
The closed length is 124 mm (4.875") The VG-10 steel blade comes hollow-ground, with a pronounced swedge grind running from mid-blade to the spine and is PlainEdged. And of course, the back edge is not sharpened, for both practical and legal reasons. The pocket clip (embellished with a gold colored Spyderco logo) positions the folder right-handed, tip-up. Milled Micarta handle scales are capped with polished steel bolsters.
The locking bar is equipped with a “David Boye Dent”.(This is a small arc or dent of metal removed from the lock bar lever, which lessens the possibility of gripping the handle hard enough to depress the lock and accidentally unlock the blade while using the knife.)
The length of the blade is 95 mm (3.75"), with a cutting length of 78 mm (3.0625"). The thickness of the blade is 3 mm (0.125").
The diameter of the hole is 12 mm (0.46875"). And of course, I had to adorn it with a paracord fob with a skull bead.
It’s likely a bit big and heavy for some folks to consider carrying it every day. But for someone trained in Philippino martial arts, it may be a perfect knife for them. Not to mention anyone else who might want something a little out of the ordinary, but still of excellent quality.
The locking bar is equipped with a “David Boye Dent”.(This is a small arc or dent of metal removed from the lock bar lever, which lessens the possibility of gripping the handle hard enough to depress the lock and accidentally unlock the blade while using the knife.)
The diameter of the hole is 12 mm (0.46875").
And of course, I had to adorn it with a paracord fob with a skull bead.
It’s likely a bit big and heavy for some folks to consider carrying it every day. But for someone trained in Philippino martial arts, it may be a perfect knife for them. Not to mention anyone else who might want something a little out of the ordinary, but still of excellent quality.
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