Silat and the Keris (part 2)

Metalworking is by no means an easy task. Bladesmiths in the olden days were given high status by Kings and honoured in their courts. These artists of iron and steel were often called "master" and were considered magicians of metal craft. They were able to turn iron ore into finely crafted works of art. In the olden days, as it is now, the master bladesmith works with several other artists to produce one fine blade. There are smelters who prepare the steel, the blank makers who craft the initial form of the weapon, the bladesmith who forms the blank into a serviceable blade, the hilt and scabbard makers and the artists making the fittings.

Traditionally before starting the forging work, the master bladesmith would recite prayers asking for the blade to be blessed, and for safety during the forging process. He would also include the wishes of the future owner of the blade. A bladesmith not only makes the blade, but give the blade "life". Every strike of the hammer would have been followed by a specific citation or incantation. A blade often takes time to complete, and some very special blades take years to come into existence. 

Forging a blade is not like rolling dough for roti canai or sewing clothes. The smith works with five elements: wind, water, air, earth and fire to produce a fine blade that represents the soul of its future owner. Sometimes, the smith selects specific days or times during which he will work on the blade. There were stories that only a single strike of the hammer was allowed on a specific night to work on a blade. One needs to understand that with every strike of the hammer, a part of the smith is lost in the blade. A smith will pour his heart and soul into his creation as the prospective owner's life may depend on it. It is a sacrifice that all master smiths have to make. This is not Forged In Fire. This is REAL.

From a quantum point of view, the smith sends out positive vibrations to the universe, and by controlling the vibes that he sends out, he will receive the required vibes in return. This is why a smith selects the best and most suitable time for them to work. Some work in the day, some work at night. Some work on certains days, or during certain periods of the selected day. What I am imparting is actually a closely guarded secret amongst smiths, but I feel that the public needs to know In order to clear the air on why some blades take longer to make than others.

Everything in the Universe happens when there is synchronicity and balance. A smith knows best how and when to forge the ideal blade. If something is off, they would often delay the work to wait for the opportune moment. Blades forged not according to this formula are often "soulless" and "empty" and may even be harmful to the user. As such, clients of the respective smiths - those who understand, anyway - will never ask a smith when his blade will be completed. Some even say it's a taboo. A blade will be done once it is done. This point is also to illustrate that both parties were to exercise patience. Patience is the key to everything. 

Let me illustrate a case example. This was an actual event that happened to me. I commissioned another smith to traditionally forge a parang lading according to the specifications that I provided. I told the smith that this blade was to be "weaponised". Initially, he suggested a combination of different types of steel for the blade and several different materials for the hilt. As time went, the smith kept updating me (sometimes I would just say hi to him as a polite reminder). The materials that he suggested for the blade and hilt were changed several times because the smith "did not feel right about it". This went on for about a year. I understood the smith's processes so I just let him work. He is an artist, after all. Praise be to God, the parang lading was completed on the day of Arafah, on the eve of Eidul Adha. Such an auspicious date! And the moment the blade was handed to me, it gave me goosebumps. It felt perfect. Just the right weight, just the right balance. Even though the final product did not match my initial design, the smith managed to make it even better. I love that blade so much!

The same goes for keris and sword blades. Whenever these blades are "weaponised", it would be improper for the client to badger the smith into pushing him to finish off the weapon as soon as possible. And further adding insult to injury when the smith was labelled as a scammer and a fraud because he took too long to deliver. In Islam, we refer to this as qada' and qadar, fate and destiny. And patience is another key ingredient. This concept ties in closely to the quantum theory in science. If you push it, it will not turn out the way you would have wanted it. Just go with the flow and you will receive what you wished for... God provides us with what we need, not what we want. 

May Peace be with us all. This is the Way.