No other Malay weapon characterizes the Malay world as the famous kris. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, it is credited with supernatural powers, and it serves as a status symbol for its owner. Surrounded by a wealth of lore, the kris has always been an object of intense curiosity and interest to outsiders. In this account the author examines in turn the various aspects of the mystery and the legend, discusses its probable origins and salient features, provides a detailed exposition of the craftsmanship which goes into its manufacture and includes a chapter on the preservation of the kris. The essential facts about the kris have thus been brought together and explained, and a set of superb illustrations in black and white and colour illustrate the beauty of this intriguing weapon and the culture associated with it. In this third edition, the author has added a chapter on rare kris archives and included new colour and black and white illustrations.