My first Kampilan

Ferguson · 18th March 2012, 11:39 AM

Also my first auction experience. Very exciting!

Bought it at the Auctions Imperial last night at the Timonium show. Nice blade, thick at the hilt. It has some light power sanding marks, but they will come out with a polish. I'd love your comments.
Thanks,
Steve

Lew · 18th March 2012, 12:21 PM

Wow very nice! Wish I was there

Lew

Sajen · 18th March 2012, 01:10 PM

Hi Steve,

beautiful Kamp!

I was one of the low online bidders on this one. I love the reddish wood with the nice grain.
Congrats to your first Kampilan, I am curious to see the blade etched. Do you plan to give him back his eyes? See here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=kampilan

Regards,

Detlef

carlos · 18th March 2012, 01:28 PM

Congratulations!!! a very good piece, be carefull, the kampilans are dangerous...to the wallet, is like a virus!!
best regards
carlos

VANDOO · 18th March 2012, 06:01 PM

NOW YOU ARE AN EXTREME MORO COLLECTOR!!

YOU HAVE JUMPED FROM THE SMALLEST MORO BLADES TO THE LARGEST.
CONGRADULATIONS, LOOKS LIKE A VERY NICE OLD ONE, I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE WOOD AND PIERCED TIP.

David · 18th March 2012, 06:08 PM

Looks like an excellent example in a nice stat of condition....congrats!

ThePepperSkull · 18th March 2012, 06:15 PM

Was going to bid on this but had to work. Lucky for both of us as I don't think I have the money right now!

Congrats on a great piece. It really is beautiful, Steve

Battara · 18th March 2012, 07:00 PM

Nice honest piece - congratulations. I agree with Sajen that the silver disk eyes are the only things missing. Otherwise complete (sans scabbard).

CharlesS · 18th March 2012, 09:38 PM

Congrats again....and apologies....you could have saved a few more dollars if I had realized I was bidding against you sooner. If I had known you were interested in it earlier I never would have bid at all, but you still got it for a darn good price.

The piece is far better in person than the pics indicate. It is one of the heaviest examples I have ever handled, with very crisp carving.

Nice pick up!

Ferguson · 19th March 2012, 01:25 AM

Thank you all gentlemen! I do plan to give her back her eyes. Just have to find some coins from the proper period.

No problem Charles. I was so nervous bidding that I didn't even notice who I was bidding against. Sorry if you wanted it. I was pleased at the price it went for.

Just had to give it a polish and etch as soon as I finished the 7 hour drive home.

And I was pleasantly surprised!

Robert · 21st March 2012, 06:38 AM

A wonderful Kampilan Steve. I am happy that you've finally been able to add one to your collection and a very nice one at that. I have never seen the grip with this style of wrap before, is this a common form? Beautiful overall condition and once the eyes have been replaced WOW

My congratulation on your latest addition.

Robert

Lew · 21st March 2012, 06:59 AM

Nice polish and etch my friend now what did I do with that eye

. I guess some type of period coin may be needed?

Ferguson · 21st March 2012, 03:23 PM

Thanks Robert. I've seen similar wraps on Kris, but I haven't handled many Kampilan. Pictures I've seen mostly show rattan wraps, or missing wraps.

Thanks Lew!

I have a couple of 20 centavo coins coming from Ebay. Which side of the coin would usually be shown?

Steve

Robert · 21st March 2012, 03:31 PM

Most of the ones I've seen using these coins have the eagle and shield side showing.

Robert

Sajen · 21st March 2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferguson

I have a couple of 20 centavo coins coming from Ebay. Which side of the coin would usually be shown?

Steve

I have had the same problem (and use as well 20 centavos coins) so I show at one side the eagle and at the other side the "girl". Look the thread I give you in post # 3.

Regards,

Detlef

migueldiaz · 22nd March 2012, 11:53 PM

Steve, thanks for the pics! Very nice lamination patterns!

In my opinion, the kampilan symbolizes the bird-deity just like the kris, barung, and pira (with the beak & crest of the kakatua in the pommel, etc.). Hence, we often see ukkil on the kampilans' crossguard that makes it look like outspread bird wings. And I also think that the kampilan's blade tip (with or without the spikelet) is the bird's head and beak. Thus the bifurcated pommel will logically be the bird's tail (and not the open mouth of a croc).

There's also a Muslim univ. professor whom I interviewed about two years ago, who in turn interviewed at least two prominent Mindanao craftsmen earlier. Here's what the univ. prof. told me:

"The kampilan represents a swift's tail, particularly the Purple Needletail Swift which is a bird known to hunt in large groups, nests in caves, and unlike most birds, it makes no noises or calls – thus warrior-like. It’s also known for its beautiful shiny purple color."

It's no coincidence thus that often we see the bird side of the coin displayed on the kampilan's hilt (as Robert also noted).

Further up north among the Panay Bukidnons in the Visayas (central Phils.), they are fond of using a Mexican coin with a sun burst design on one side. The logic is the same - it is all about the veneration of the sun god and the bird deity (two sides of the same coin

) of the ancient religion of the islands.

Thus IMHO I think you should show the bird side of the coin when you affix them in your kampilan ...

Just my two cents

Lorenz

Ferguson · 23rd March 2012, 06:24 PM

Lorenz,
Thank you so much for sharing this information. It's fascinating! Bird side it is!

Steve

Ferguson · 25th March 2012, 07:29 PM

She can see now.

Steve

Lew · 25th March 2012, 09:36 PM

Well done

.

archer · 25th March 2012, 09:51 PM

Nice Work!!

Sajen · 25th March 2012, 11:41 PM

Yes, well done!

Battara · 26th March 2012, 01:15 AM

Brings it back to life doesn't it.

Ferguson · 26th March 2012, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Brings it back to life doesn't it.

Yes it does!

Thanks gents.

Steve

Robert · 26th March 2012, 02:13 AM

Looks GREAT Steve!!! Now that it can see again be careful not to make it mad

migueldiaz · 27th March 2012, 01:48 PM

nice!

18th March 2012, 11:39 AM	#1
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	My first Kampilan Also my first auction experience. Very exciting! Bought it at the Auctions Imperial last night at the Timonium show. Nice blade, thick at the hilt. It has some light power sanding marks, but they will come out with a polish. I'd love your comments. Thanks, Steve Attached Images

19th March 2012, 01:25 AM	#10
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Thank you all gentlemen! I do plan to give her back her eyes. Just have to find some coins from the proper period. No problem Charles. I was so nervous bidding that I didn't even notice who I was bidding against. Sorry if you wanted it. I was pleased at the price it went for. Just had to give it a polish and etch as soon as I finished the 7 hour drive home. And I was pleasantly surprised! Attached Images Last edited by Ferguson; 19th March 2012 at 01:35 AM.

21st March 2012, 03:23 PM	#13
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Thanks Robert. I've seen similar wraps on Kris, but I haven't handled many Kampilan. Pictures I've seen mostly show rattan wraps, or missing wraps. Thanks Lew! I have a couple of 20 centavo coins coming from Ebay. Which side of the coin would usually be shown? Steve Attached Images

25th March 2012, 07:29 PM	#18
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	She can see now. Steve Attached Images

25th March 2012, 09:51 PM	#20
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Congrats Nice Work!!

18th March 2012, 12:21 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Wow very nice! Wish I was there Lew

18th March 2012, 01:10 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Hi Steve, beautiful Kamp! I was one of the low online bidders on this one. I love the reddish wood with the nice grain. Congrats to your first Kampilan, I am curious to see the blade etched. Do you plan to give him back his eyes? See here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=kampilan Regards, Detlef

18th March 2012, 01:28 PM	#4
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 748	Congratulations!!! a very good piece, be carefull, the kampilans are dangerous...to the wallet, is like a virus!! best regards carlos

18th March 2012, 06:01 PM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	NOW YOU ARE AN EXTREME MORO COLLECTOR!! YOU HAVE JUMPED FROM THE SMALLEST MORO BLADES TO THE LARGEST. CONGRADULATIONS, LOOKS LIKE A VERY NICE OLD ONE, I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE WOOD AND PIERCED TIP.

18th March 2012, 06:08 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Looks like an excellent example in a nice stat of condition....congrats!

18th March 2012, 06:15 PM	#7
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Was going to bid on this but had to work. Lucky for both of us as I don't think I have the money right now! Congrats on a great piece. It really is beautiful, Steve

18th March 2012, 07:00 PM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Nice honest piece - congratulations. I agree with Sajen that the silver disk eyes are the only things missing. Otherwise complete (sans scabbard).

18th March 2012, 09:38 PM	#9
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Congrats again....and apologies....you could have saved a few more dollars if I had realized I was bidding against you sooner. If I had known you were interested in it earlier I never would have bid at all, but you still got it for a darn good price. The piece is far better in person than the pics indicate. It is one of the heaviest examples I have ever handled, with very crisp carving. Nice pick up!

21st March 2012, 06:38 AM	#11
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	A wonderful Kampilan Steve. I am happy that you've finally been able to add one to your collection and a very nice one at that. I have never seen the grip with this style of wrap before, is this a common form? Beautiful overall condition and once the eyes have been replaced WOW My congratulation on your latest addition. Robert

21st March 2012, 06:59 AM	#12
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Nice polish and etch my friend now what did I do with that eye . I guess some type of period coin may be needed?

21st March 2012, 03:31 PM	#14
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Most of the ones I've seen using these coins have the eagle and shield side showing. Robert

22nd March 2012, 11:53 PM	#16
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Steve, thanks for the pics! Very nice lamination patterns! In my opinion, the kampilan symbolizes the bird-deity just like the kris, barung, and pira (with the beak & crest of the kakatua in the pommel, etc.). Hence, we often see ukkil on the kampilans' crossguard that makes it look like outspread bird wings. And I also think that the kampilan's blade tip (with or without the spikelet) is the bird's head and beak. Thus the bifurcated pommel will logically be the bird's tail (and not the open mouth of a croc). There's also a Muslim univ. professor whom I interviewed about two years ago, who in turn interviewed at least two prominent Mindanao craftsmen earlier. Here's what the univ. prof. told me: "The kampilan represents a swift's tail, particularly the Purple Needletail Swift which is a bird known to hunt in large groups, nests in caves, and unlike most birds, it makes no noises or calls – thus warrior-like. It’s also known for its beautiful shiny purple color." It's no coincidence thus that often we see the bird side of the coin displayed on the kampilan's hilt (as Robert also noted). Further up north among the Panay Bukidnons in the Visayas (central Phils.), they are fond of using a Mexican coin with a sun burst design on one side. The logic is the same - it is all about the veneration of the sun god and the bird deity (two sides of the same coin ) of the ancient religion of the islands. Thus IMHO I think you should show the bird side of the coin when you affix them in your kampilan ... Just my two cents Lorenz

23rd March 2012, 06:24 PM	#17
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Lorenz, Thank you so much for sharing this information. It's fascinating! Bird side it is! Steve

25th March 2012, 09:36 PM	#19
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Well done .

25th March 2012, 11:41 PM	#21
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Yes, well done!

26th March 2012, 01:15 AM	#22
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Brings it back to life doesn't it.

26th March 2012, 02:13 AM	#24
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Looks GREAT Steve!!! Now that it can see again be careful not to make it mad

27th March 2012, 01:48 PM	#25
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	nice!