TBOLI KAMPILAN

tanaruz · 28th May 2020, 04:32 AM

Hello friends,

My new warrior friend? an old t'boli kampilan. unfortunately, no scabbard (but can be made here).

Not so sure, but I've seen a picture of a blaan datu having the same 'blade profile' blade. Is there a possibility that this could also be b'laan?

thanks and keep safe.

Yves

Battara · 28th May 2020, 04:50 AM

It is possible that this is a Bila'an trade blade, but I doubt it. T'boli had this blade profile too.

I would say that this is T'boli all the way through, and without question the hilt.

Nice example.

Have you etched the blade yet just in case it might have laminations?

tanaruz · 28th May 2020, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

It is possible that this is a Bila'an trade blade, but I doubt it. T'boli had this blade profile too.

I would say that this is T'boli all the way through, and without question the hilt.

Nice example.

Have you etched the blade yet just in case it might have laminations?

Hello Sir. Haven't etched it yet. Once etched, will post pics.

All the best,

Yves

Marbel · 28th May 2020, 06:07 AM

Hello Yves,
Thanks for posting the photos. I’m always happy to see these pieces.

It appears as if the guard is sort of flush with the top of the blade. Does it show signs of being ground down, or just cast that way?

It’s also interesting to see what looks like the blade being ‘riveted’ into the hilt (I can see a small circle that sort of looks like a rivet). Is that correct?

Are you able to post photos of the top and underside of the hilt? I’m wondering if there are patterns there.

Thanks again,
Craig

Battara · 28th May 2020, 07:00 AM

That might be a casting flaw, but if not, I would wonder if the hilt might have been later.

In any case, close ups and better pics would help.

Ian · 29th May 2020, 02:27 AM

Hello Yves,

I agree with Jose and Craig that, so far, this looks 100% T'boli-made blade and hilt. As you likely know, the cast hilts are constructed from wax models carved by women. A mold is then made around the wax model and molten brass is poured into the mold--the wax melts and a finely detailed casting is obtained. This "lost wax" (Fr. cire perdue) method has been employed by various groups for 6,000 years.

Ian.

tanaruz · 29th May 2020, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbel

Hello Yves,
Thanks for posting the photos. I’m always happy to see these pieces.

It appears as if the guard is sort of flush with the top of the blade. Does it show signs of being ground down, or just cast that way?

It’s also interesting to see what looks like the blade being ‘riveted’ into the hilt (I can see a small circle that sort of looks like a rivet). Is that correct?

Are you able to post photos of the top and underside of the hilt? I’m wondering if there are patterns there.

Thanks again,
Craig

Hi Craig,

Additional pics of the blade. 1) guard: the top part of the guard was broken in a skirmish during ww2. 2) hilt/riveted: there are 2 metal 'rivets' that holds the old hilt to the blade. Made during ww2 when it was 'used,'- these comments came from the son of a ww2 veteran who used this piece during ww2.

Marbel · 29th May 2020, 04:21 PM

Thank you for the additional photos and background. He's a nice old piece, well-used and well-loved.

I'm always curious about the journeys of these Tboli swords. Can you please mention where your friend believes his father was during WWII? Are they Tboli?

While their territory sometimes appeared on maps and locals knew of their existence, the Tboli people remained quite remote and relatively unknown until well into the late 1950's-early 1960's. Amongst the other groups in the area - including the coastal Moros - trade was common, as well as war and intermarriage. Being able to pinpoint the location of a piece like this during WWII (or before) would be interesting.

Thank you.

28th May 2020, 04:32 AM	#1
tanaruz Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 267	TBOLI KAMPILAN Hello friends, My new warrior friend? an old t'boli kampilan. unfortunately, no scabbard (but can be made here). Not so sure, but I've seen a picture of a blaan datu having the same 'blade profile' blade. Is there a possibility that this could also be b'laan? thanks and keep safe. Yves Attached Images

28th May 2020, 06:07 AM	#4
Marbel Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 66	Tboli Hello Yves, Thanks for posting the photos. I’m always happy to see these pieces. It appears as if the guard is sort of flush with the top of the blade. Does it show signs of being ground down, or just cast that way? It’s also interesting to see what looks like the blade being ‘riveted’ into the hilt (I can see a small circle that sort of looks like a rivet). Is that correct? Are you able to post photos of the top and underside of the hilt? I’m wondering if there are patterns there. Thanks again, Craig

29th May 2020, 02:27 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Hello Yves, I agree with Jose and Craig that, so far, this looks 100% T'boli-made blade and hilt. As you likely know, the cast hilts are constructed from wax models carved by women. A mold is then made around the wax model and molten brass is poured into the mold--the wax melts and a finely detailed casting is obtained. This "lost wax" (Fr. cire perdue) method has been employed by various groups for 6,000 years. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 29th May 2020 at 02:37 AM.

29th May 2020, 04:21 PM	#8
Marbel Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 66	Tboli Thank you for the additional photos and background. He's a nice old piece, well-used and well-loved. I'm always curious about the journeys of these Tboli swords. Can you please mention where your friend believes his father was during WWII? Are they Tboli? While their territory sometimes appeared on maps and locals knew of their existence, the Tboli people remained quite remote and relatively unknown until well into the late 1950's-early 1960's. Amongst the other groups in the area - including the coastal Moros - trade was common, as well as war and intermarriage. Being able to pinpoint the location of a piece like this during WWII (or before) would be interesting. Thank you.

28th May 2020, 04:50 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	It is possible that this is a Bila'an trade blade, but I doubt it. T'boli had this blade profile too. I would say that this is T'boli all the way through, and without question the hilt. Nice example. Have you etched the blade yet just in case it might have laminations?

28th May 2020, 07:00 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	That might be a casting flaw, but if not, I would wonder if the hilt might have been later. In any case, close ups and better pics would help.