How to make a scabbard for a Kampilan?

imas560 · 5th August 2012, 04:11 AM

Hello,
I've managed to acquire three kampilan swords, all without scabbards. I was wanting to show at least one off at my next club meeting but showing it with a scabbard. I was hoping to make a scabbard out of two halves using some local wood, bound with rattan, with the bottom edge of the scabbard open. Does anyone know of a website/book/youtube clip that shows a traditional method of weaving rattan?
One of the kampilans is most probably a modern day replica and I'm wanting to insert hair plugs into the handle and was wondering if there is a post that shows an easy way of doing this?
many thanks in advance

Battara · 5th August 2012, 05:14 AM

Just a thought - if you encase or place the rattan bands on the scabbard, it will be nearly impossible to take the blade out of the scabbard without braking the bands (which is the idea behind making the bands out of rattan). Remember that the distal end of the kampilan blade is wider than the hilt end.

VANDOO · 6th August 2012, 08:46 PM

I HAVE ONE SCABBARD WITH BANDS AND AS JOSE SAYS THE BANDS WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT IF THE SWORD WAS PULLED OUT. IN MY CASE I KEEP THE BANDS LOOSE AND PULL THE TOP ONE ENTIRELY OFF AND MOVE THE LOWER ONE AROUND TO GET THE BLADE OUT. THESE SCABBARDS WERE NOT USUALLY ON KAMPILIANS BUT WERE DESIGNED SO THAT YOU COULD STRIKE WITH THE SCABBARD STILL ON AND IT WOULD CUT AWAY ON THE FIRST STRIKE. AT LEAST THATS WHAT I READ SOMEWHERE?
IT MAY WORK TO PUT A WOOD PIN ON THE SIDE BY THE EDGE HALF WAY DOWN AND A RATTAN BAND NEAR THE TIP. THEN LEAVE A OPEN SLOT ALONG THE TOP REACHING 1/3 OF THE WAY DOWN. THIS WOULD NOT BE MADE LIKE THE ORIGINAL FORM OF SCABBARD FOR THESE BUT WOULD LOOK OK AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE BANDS. OR JUST MAKE ONE THE OLD WAY AND DON'T PUT THE SWORD IN IT.

imas560 · 6th August 2012, 10:25 PM

thanks Battara and Vandoo,
I was wanting to take along a scabbard with the kampilan to my next club meeting to illustrate the concept as outlined by Vandoo and Cato (p57).
I might use string.
Some of the starting movements from a couple of kampilan forms I've seen make a lot of sense when a breakaway(?) scabbard is used.
I'm thinking of using plywood and a router.
(Plywood as it is cheap and can't be mistaken for an original scabbard).
thanks again

Nirghosa · 11th August 2012, 06:34 AM

Where have you seen kampilan forms?

imas560 · 11th August 2012, 11:27 AM

Hello Nirghosa,
GM Epifanio "Yuli" Romo from Bahad Zu'bu has a few sets of movements/techniques specifically for the kampilan (both demonstration/display in the public arena and some practical/application sets) and a demonstration set/form set for a long staff (bio/biao stick) that can be easily adapted (except for a couple of moves).

5th August 2012, 04:11 AM	#1
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	How to make a scabbard for a Kampilan? Hello, I've managed to acquire three kampilan swords, all without scabbards. I was wanting to show at least one off at my next club meeting but showing it with a scabbard. I was hoping to make a scabbard out of two halves using some local wood, bound with rattan, with the bottom edge of the scabbard open. Does anyone know of a website/book/youtube clip that shows a traditional method of weaving rattan? One of the kampilans is most probably a modern day replica and I'm wanting to insert hair plugs into the handle and was wondering if there is a post that shows an easy way of doing this? many thanks in advance

5th August 2012, 05:14 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Just a thought - if you encase or place the rattan bands on the scabbard, it will be nearly impossible to take the blade out of the scabbard without braking the bands (which is the idea behind making the bands out of rattan). Remember that the distal end of the kampilan blade is wider than the hilt end.

6th August 2012, 08:46 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I HAVE ONE SCABBARD WITH BANDS AND AS JOSE SAYS THE BANDS WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT IF THE SWORD WAS PULLED OUT. IN MY CASE I KEEP THE BANDS LOOSE AND PULL THE TOP ONE ENTIRELY OFF AND MOVE THE LOWER ONE AROUND TO GET THE BLADE OUT. THESE SCABBARDS WERE NOT USUALLY ON KAMPILIANS BUT WERE DESIGNED SO THAT YOU COULD STRIKE WITH THE SCABBARD STILL ON AND IT WOULD CUT AWAY ON THE FIRST STRIKE. AT LEAST THATS WHAT I READ SOMEWHERE? IT MAY WORK TO PUT A WOOD PIN ON THE SIDE BY THE EDGE HALF WAY DOWN AND A RATTAN BAND NEAR THE TIP. THEN LEAVE A OPEN SLOT ALONG THE TOP REACHING 1/3 OF THE WAY DOWN. THIS WOULD NOT BE MADE LIKE THE ORIGINAL FORM OF SCABBARD FOR THESE BUT WOULD LOOK OK AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE BANDS. OR JUST MAKE ONE THE OLD WAY AND DON'T PUT THE SWORD IN IT.

6th August 2012, 10:25 PM	#4
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	thanks Battara and Vandoo, I was wanting to take along a scabbard with the kampilan to my next club meeting to illustrate the concept as outlined by Vandoo and Cato (p57). I might use string. Some of the starting movements from a couple of kampilan forms I've seen make a lot of sense when a breakaway(?) scabbard is used. I'm thinking of using plywood and a router. (Plywood as it is cheap and can't be mistaken for an original scabbard). thanks again

11th August 2012, 06:34 AM	#5
Nirghosa Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 119	Where have you seen kampilan forms?

11th August 2012, 11:27 AM	#6
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	Hello Nirghosa, GM Epifanio "Yuli" Romo from Bahad Zu'bu has a few sets of movements/techniques specifically for the kampilan (both demonstration/display in the public arena and some practical/application sets) and a demonstration set/form set for a long staff (bio/biao stick) that can be easily adapted (except for a couple of moves).