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of a kris is judged by its blade, which is often revered due to its mystical value. The best blades are forged by highly skilled blade smiths called empu, who are not only skilled as craftsmen but are respected in society for their knowledge of literature, history, culture and the occult. Blade smiths of lesser levels of skill are normally called pandai keris and most take a lifetime to achieve the esteemed status of empu. The blades of legendary kris are forged from meteoric iron, a rare and highly prized mineral. Most kris blades, however, are made in layers of different iron ores and nickel. In later periods, krises were made from metals salvaged from vehicles, tools, railway tracks, European cannons and sword blades, and even bicycles. The metal in high quality blades is often folded with precision for dozens or hundreds of times to create a balance of strength and sharpness. The wavy patterns on a kris blade, known as pamor, are similar to the damascene effect of Indo-Persia and that of hada in Japanese blades. To bring out this contrasting pattern, kris blades are often acid-etched after forging.

The most recognisable feature of a kris blade is its broad base, near the hilt, which provides added resistance and offers the bearer's wrist some protection. The overall shape of a kris blade can be straight or sinuous. The curves on a sinuous blade are called luks, with most kris having as few as 13, while others as many as 25. The number of luks on a kris has to be odd, because an even number is considered unlucky. The purpose of these curves is to maximise the extent of the inflicted wound. Krises, which are typically plunged into the abdomen, can suffer damage or require repairs. It is quite common to find a kris with fittings from various places, for example, a Javanese blade may have been repaired in Kelantan and has a hilt from Bali and a sheath from Madura. This makes the identification of a kris's provenance even more challenging for curators and collectors.

Another characteristic feature of the kris is its celebrated hulu or hilt, which has gone through an iconoclastic evolution, except on the island of Bali, where idol-worshipping and images from the Hindu pantheon still predominate. In Islamic communities, however, arabesques, floral and geometric patterns, as well as stylised figures have become the norm. The most famous example of the latter is the Jawa Demam or Feverish Javanese' hilt, which was transformed from an anthropomorphic design to an

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