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 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 the kris's manufacture and, in this new edition, includes a chapter on its preservation.