No other weapon so characterizes the Malay world as the kris, an elongated dagger. Surrounded by a wealth of lore, it has always been an object of intense curiosity and interest to outsiders. In this definitive account, Edward Frey examines the various aspects of its legends, probable origins, and current preservation, and provides a detailed exposition of the craftsmanship which goes into the kris's manufacture. In this third edition, the author has added a chapter on rare kris archives and included new color and black and white illustrations.