Curious Iranun kampilan feature

[xasterix]

Halloo, I originally wanted to ride on the recent kampilan thread, but decided to create a new one for better visibility. I just restored my Iranun kampilan, and before going on a test run, I noticed a peculiar feature...

...its "teeth" are dentures- they're removable! The upper part still has traces of tree sap (and smells strongly too, the bubblegum-red type, not the black one).

I'm wondering if anyone else with this type of Iranun kampilan pommel noticed this peculiar feature? TIA!

[SanibelSwassa]

Wow… that is a really cool find!!! Great blade on that Kampilan!!!

Congrats!!

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by SanibelSwassa

Wow… that is a really cool find!!! Great blade on that Kampilan!!!

Congrats!!

Thanks sir, Happy Holidays!

[kino]

Interesting, similar to a mortise and tenon construction.
The “teeth” is dark wood, same type as the crosspiece? I like the contrasting colors.
Did you do the rattan wrap around the crossguard?
Great looking sword. Congrats.

I took a look at mine but none have the dentures.

I have this, don’t know why it was constructed in this manner.



However I this manong from the Visayas that needs some of its teeth replaced.

[kino]

What’s with the wooden peg, is it a repair?

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by kino

What’s with the wooden peg, is it a repair?

Sharp eyes sir, it is indeed =) I was able to clean and re-adhesive the hilt interior and tang by opening up the previous repair job and removing the pommel. Everything else came with the kampilan already, including the rattan wraps.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by kino

Interesting, similar to a mortise and tenon construction.
The “teeth” is dark wood, same type as the crosspiece? I like the contrasting colors.
Did you do the rattan wrap around the crossguard?
Great looking sword. Congrats.

I took a look at mine but none have the dentures.

I have this, don’t know why it was constructed in this manner.
Attachment 233040Attachment 233041


However I this manong from the Visayas that needs some of its teeth replaced.
Attachment 233042

Thanks for the compliment sir! Your swords are amazing as usual. The cleared-out part where the hair holes should be is interesting; I suspect that was cleared out to give way to another attachment. Tenegre looks great and lifelike; if I'm not mistaken, that's the monkey pommel variant.

Almost forgot about the wood: the denture wood seems to be similar material to the guard; some kind of softwood, while the hilt+pommel material is bunti/banati.

[Gavin Nugent]

Xasterix,

That is some nice timber work, both the carving and the manner of joining what appears to my eyes as being a replaced pommel.
The point of the plug is consistent with several Kampilan mounting points I have seen and the larger one I have here.

What do you think "may" have been meant/intended culturally in the inclusion of separate "teeth" and having that different coloured piece being incorporated back into the pommel?

Kino,

The cut out intrigues me.

At first glance I thought what a wonderful way to retain small votive personal items, although little more than parchment could be concealed within. It seems the wire pins had been intended to keep something safe and secure within and not used for regular access. I feel a replacement hair block would have also been resin set.
Perhaps it once had a bone insert retaining hair, age cracks took a toll and eventually all became dislodged and removed?

Whilst no definitive answers may be available, what considerations have you pondered.


I have checked the three Kampilan currently here and none have any such additions like yours Xasterix.

The smaller cutlass sized one does give hints that the block typically seen as retaining hair, that is has been removed/cut back, but the patina is consistent throughout and there is enough protrusion present to consider it may be unaltered too.
Perhaps the few very slight, perfectly spaces recesses that can be seen were markings/depressions intended for drilling holes and mounting hair?

The myriad of designs and complexities are as vast as Kris from the regions.