Moro Kampilan for comment!!!

Federico · 5th August 2005, 12:43 AM

There are 19th century kampilans with metal fittings, such as bands as this one displays, and most definitely brass dot inlay existed well before the 20th century. However, at least in regards to metal fittings, they are very very rare, and usually on very opulent pieces, such as ivory hilted kampilan.

As Ian noted the rough blade and fresh hilt are always scary signs. Compared to metal, wood is nowhere near as durable, hence all the re-hilting we see in older pieces. To see a blade that is really worn, but a hilt that even if cleaned and restored is near pristine raises alot of questons. Blade thickness can be a clue. If it is really thin, then it could be a replacement.

Spunjer · 5th August 2005, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Blade thickness can be a clue. If it is really thin, then it could be a replacement.

federico,
what would you consider as thin blade, say, on a kampilan?

Federico · 5th August 2005, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

federico,
what would you consider as thin blade, say, on a kampilan?

Well if its an 1/8" at the base, or if there is very little distal taper, etc... More or less looking for that cut out vs drawn out feel/look. Dunno if that makes sense or not.

Spunjer · 5th August 2005, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Well if its an 1/8" at the base, or if there is very little distal taper, etc... More or less looking for that cut out vs drawn out feel/look. Dunno if that makes sense or not.

okay, i see what you're saying.

as for this statement:

Quote:

As Ian noted the rough blade and fresh hilt are always scary signs. Compared to metal, wood is nowhere near as durable, hence all the re-hilting we see in older pieces. To see a blade that is really worn, but a hilt that even if cleaned and restored is near pristine raises alot of questons

that's spot on. makes a lot of sense...

Rick · 5th August 2005, 02:23 PM

Agreed with Federico about distal taper . Both of my old Kampilan taper from a strong quarter inch at the hilt to a sixteenth at the tip .
They both show very good temper (flex) .

Bill · 5th August 2005, 03:33 PM

Hi Philkid, How did you clean the blade, did you use chemicals, like a paint stripper? What else did the owner say about the history.

philkid · 5th August 2005, 08:16 PM

Hi Bill, I just used WD40 and #1000 fine sandpaper. It does well with my other krises and kampilans but with this one it does not seem right. He didn't say much about the sword because of the language difference. We are both Filipinos but we do not have the same dialect. But what I'm really after is his kris with original ivory pommel. I'll post it if ever I get lucky. Does anyone of you guys have one? Can you post? Anyway thanks for the comments. Really appreciate it. Thanks.

5th August 2005, 12:43 AM	#1
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	There are 19th century kampilans with metal fittings, such as bands as this one displays, and most definitely brass dot inlay existed well before the 20th century. However, at least in regards to metal fittings, they are very very rare, and usually on very opulent pieces, such as ivory hilted kampilan. As Ian noted the rough blade and fresh hilt are always scary signs. Compared to metal, wood is nowhere near as durable, hence all the re-hilting we see in older pieces. To see a blade that is really worn, but a hilt that even if cleaned and restored is near pristine raises alot of questons. Blade thickness can be a clue. If it is really thin, then it could be a replacement.

5th August 2005, 02:23 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Agreed with Federico about distal taper . Both of my old Kampilan taper from a strong quarter inch at the hilt to a sixteenth at the tip . They both show very good temper (flex) .

5th August 2005, 03:33 PM	#6
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Hi Philkid, How did you clean the blade, did you use chemicals, like a paint stripper? What else did the owner say about the history.

5th August 2005, 08:16 PM	#7
philkid Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philippines Posts: 52	Hi Bill, I just used WD40 and #1000 fine sandpaper. It does well with my other krises and kampilans but with this one it does not seem right. He didn't say much about the sword because of the language difference. We are both Filipinos but we do not have the same dialect. But what I'm really after is his kris with original ivory pommel. I'll post it if ever I get lucky. Does anyone of you guys have one? Can you post? Anyway thanks for the comments. Really appreciate it. Thanks.