Keris sundang from the Philippines is heavier and bigger than keris from Indonesia. In this example, the breadth of the blade remains unchanged from the hilt to the tip. The hilt is made of ivory with silver wire fittings. Unlike most keris which were designed for thrusting, the keris sundang was designed to hack and slash. In the Sulu Archipelago, the keris was a symbol of status. Brave warriors wore expensive keris and chiefs wore keris with gold hilts.
