Kampilan for comment

tagalanao · 13th September 2005, 12:29 AM

I'm overwhelmed by the welcome!!!

Now, for my first post on a blade ... comments appreciated. But sorry, this ain't mine anymore. The one who got it maybe would want to come forward later, but I'm sure he's afraid that his wife will catch him talking about it.

Thanks!

Bobby T.

Spunjer · 13th September 2005, 12:41 AM

WOW! the infamous whalebone kampilan. that's a beautiful piece, bobby. been drooling on that since i saw it on your now defunct website...

are the trimmings silver???

punal · 13th September 2005, 01:35 AM

hahaha!

you're a funny man! tagalanao!
i'll get even with you some day. . . .

i agree with spunjer, it is indeed a gorgeous kampilan.

philkid · 13th September 2005, 07:18 AM

Wow very nice kampilan tagalanao. Its good you joined this forum. yolac1891

kai · 13th September 2005, 09:00 AM

Congrats, Punal!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

been drooling on that since i saw it on your now defunct website...

http://www.morokris.com/ is still there but Bob is currently working on expanding it again if I understand correctly.

Quote:

are the trimmings silver???

Yup. What silver quality did the tests show, Bob?

I like those snakes!

Regards,
Kai

tagalanao · 13th September 2005, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Congrats, Punal!

http://www.morokris.com/ is still there but Bob is currently working on expanding it again if I understand correctly.

Coz Kai is urging me to work on it. Hehehe...

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

What silver quality did the tests show, Bob?

I like those snakes!

I brought the kampilan scabbard (along with a gunong with ivory hilt/scabbard + some gold parts) to Maranao gold buyers in downtown Iligan. They tested only the scabbard, and said it was silver, although one said it wasn't high grade. I don't know what he meant exactly. He didn't get to test the snakes in the handle, though, coz I left the blade in the car. But back home, I cleaned up the scabbard with metal polish coz of the discoloration as a result of the acid used to test. To my surprise, the scabbard cleaned up really nice, no sign left of the acid test.

Bob

tagalanao · 13th September 2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philkid

Wow very nice kampilan tagalanao. Its good you joined this forum. yolac1891

Thanks, Caloy! Hope to see you one of these days. I visit Davao often, coz our small news agency's (mindanews.com) office is based there in GSIS Village in Matina. I suppose you're from Wadab?

Hey, man, where do you get all your blades! As if all those old blades all over Mindanao always end up in your hands.

BobT

philkid · 13th September 2005, 06:24 PM

Kaw nga marami dyan Bob eh!

Do we have the same sources? I have runners in Cotabato. I don't get much from Marawi or Lanao nowadays coz nakuha mo na ata lahat.

Yep I'm from Davao. Just message me when you happen to pass by.

Ahriman · 13th September 2005, 06:31 PM

Very-very nice... the looks-quality compensate for the lack of that little hook I love. And I prefer slimmer and longer hilts. Hm, I'm far from an expert, but you wanted comments...

Have anyone ever tried out that "hook" on mail BTW? I did with the one I made on riveted mail, and the result was creepy... 16ga riveted flat "iron" links are torn in a HUGE area with a single-hand, but strong, slash. I wouldn't want to meet a kampilan-wielder if I were in a moro brass m&p suit with butted links...

Battara · 13th September 2005, 09:55 PM

Bob, sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper as an alloy. Coin silver is 80% silver and the rest usually copper. I would expect that "low grade silver" may really be considered anywhere from 80%-75% pure silver (or less) with copper making up the rest. In this range, this is the reason why many silver fittings on old Moro/PI stuff have a pinkish hue to them - it's the copper content.

One day when I grow up (and have money

) I'll have one of these too.

MABAGANI · 14th September 2005, 05:31 AM

I remember that kampilan a few years ago from an antique shop in Marawi, I would've needed a shipping container and much more cash for everything I wanted to bring back, so settled on stuff that I could fit in a backpack.

tagalanao · 14th September 2005, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MABAGANI

I remember that kampilan a few years ago from an antique shop in Marawi, I would've needed a shipping container and much more cash for everything I wanted to bring back, so settled on stuff that I could fit in a backpack.

You must be referring to this shop owned by Haji Ali Abedin, my "suki." He's got the most old items; the rest of the shops have those newly made blades. That's his wife in the picture.

BobT

Battara · 19th August 2006, 10:38 PM

I am now the proud owner of this wonderful puppy!

The previous owner was kind enough to let me have it for what I could afford (maraming salamat!).

My question: I may try to restore it with whalebone (I may have access to again from previous owner). The whalebone guard it broken in half and there is evidence of holes for a metal guard. The 2 other whalebone kampilans previously shown on this forum have brass ones. I thought of this but with all of the silver work on this (I tested it all - it is all solid silver ) I wonder if the original metal guard was also silver. What do you think?

PS - the eyes on the naga on the mouth of the bone hilt are swaasa! (I tested them too). The scabbard that Bob tested is less than sterling but more than coin silver - really nice!

Flavio · 19th August 2006, 11:06 PM

Congratulations Jose!!!! This is a very wonderful piece!!! You have all the abilities to restore the guard with an excellent result!!!!

VANDOO · 20th August 2006, 12:29 AM

CONGRADULATIONS JOSE I HOPE YOU DON'T HAVE TO EAT BEANS AND RICE FOR TOO LONG

I WOULD DEFINITELY GO WITH A SILVER SNAKE GAURD LIKE THE ONES THAT ARE ALREADY THERE, PERHAPS EVEN A DOUBBLE ENTWINED SNAKE GAURD. I SUSPECT THAT MAY HAVE BEEN WHAT IT HAD ORIGINALLY. GOOD LUCK

I NOTICED THERE IS ONE OF THE GIANT MORO KRIS IN THE PICTURE OF THE SHOP, LOOKS LIKE AN INTERESTING PLACE.

Battara · 20th August 2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

CONGRADULATIONS JOSE I HOPE YOU DON'T HAVE TO EAT BEANS AND RICE FOR TOO LONG

I WOULD DEFINITELY GO WITH A SILVER SNAKE GAURD LIKE THE ONES THAT ARE ALREADY THERE, PERHAPS EVEN A DOUBBLE ENTWINED SNAKE GAURD. I SUSPECT THAT MAY HAVE BEEN WHAT IT HAD ORIGINALLY. GOOD LUCK.

Regarding the beans and rice....well

.....I grew up on rice, but I will be giving more time I suspect toward restoration since I am job hunting now....still I saved up all my pennies all year for something like this.

Regarding the suggestion of a snake like guard - I too was considering that, with a double loop.....when great minds think a like...

Thank you both. I'm pleased as punch.

Battara · 22nd November 2006, 08:50 PM

Well folks, I did it - I finished the restoration of the guard of this puppy!
The bottom half is made of seacow bone sent to me from the previous owner (and I colored to better match the rest of the whalebone). Had to use silver pins since the whalebone was too porous for glue. The looped guard is silver in the form of 2 naga/snakes and the heads coming out of the other side facing each other with copper eyes (did my best on the heads

). Here are the pictures as promised.

Enjoy -

Spunjer · 22nd November 2006, 10:33 PM

simply incredible, jose! i really like the guard, in the form of snakes; but isn't that against Islamic belief, imitating the real animal? but i have to say tho; that's one heck of a kampy you got..

Battara · 24th November 2006, 07:45 PM

In the PI, the custom of no graven images has some laxity about it. I did this to match the silver ring of double headed snakes that holds the cloth mansala to the hilt (which was already present before I got it). A good point though, especially since okir has been used to do images stylistically.

13th September 2005, 12:29 AM	#1
tagalanao Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lanao, Philippines Posts: 37	Kampilan for comment I'm overwhelmed by the welcome!!! Now, for my first post on a blade ... comments appreciated. But sorry, this ain't mine anymore. The one who got it maybe would want to come forward later, but I'm sure he's afraid that his wife will catch him talking about it. Thanks! Bobby T. Attached Images

22nd November 2006, 08:50 PM	#17
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Well folks, I did it - I finished the restoration of the guard of this puppy! The bottom half is made of seacow bone sent to me from the previous owner (and I colored to better match the rest of the whalebone). Had to use silver pins since the whalebone was too porous for glue. The looped guard is silver in the form of 2 naga/snakes and the heads coming out of the other side facing each other with copper eyes (did my best on the heads ). Here are the pictures as promised. Enjoy - Attached Images

13th September 2005, 12:41 AM	#2
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	WOW! the infamous whalebone kampilan. that's a beautiful piece, bobby. been drooling on that since i saw it on your now defunct website... are the trimmings silver???

13th September 2005, 01:35 AM	#3
punal Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 91	hahaha! you're a funny man! tagalanao! i'll get even with you some day. . . . i agree with spunjer, it is indeed a gorgeous kampilan.

13th September 2005, 07:18 AM	#4
philkid Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philippines Posts: 52	Wow very nice kampilan tagalanao. Its good you joined this forum. yolac1891

13th September 2005, 06:24 PM	#8
philkid Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philippines Posts: 52	Kaw nga marami dyan Bob eh! Do we have the same sources? I have runners in Cotabato. I don't get much from Marawi or Lanao nowadays coz nakuha mo na ata lahat. Yep I'm from Davao. Just message me when you happen to pass by.

13th September 2005, 06:31 PM	#9
Ahriman Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hungary Posts: 72	Very-very nice... the looks-quality compensate for the lack of that little hook I love. And I prefer slimmer and longer hilts. Hm, I'm far from an expert, but you wanted comments... Have anyone ever tried out that "hook" on mail BTW? I did with the one I made on riveted mail, and the result was creepy... 16ga riveted flat "iron" links are torn in a HUGE area with a single-hand, but strong, slash. I wouldn't want to meet a kampilan-wielder if I were in a moro brass m&p suit with butted links...

13th September 2005, 09:55 PM	#10
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Bob, sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper as an alloy. Coin silver is 80% silver and the rest usually copper. I would expect that "low grade silver" may really be considered anywhere from 80%-75% pure silver (or less) with copper making up the rest. In this range, this is the reason why many silver fittings on old Moro/PI stuff have a pinkish hue to them - it's the copper content. One day when I grow up (and have money ) I'll have one of these too.

14th September 2005, 05:31 AM	#11
MABAGANI Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 221	I remember that kampilan a few years ago from an antique shop in Marawi, I would've needed a shipping container and much more cash for everything I wanted to bring back, so settled on stuff that I could fit in a backpack.

19th August 2006, 10:38 PM	#13
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	I am now the proud owner of this wonderful puppy! The previous owner was kind enough to let me have it for what I could afford (maraming salamat!). My question: I may try to restore it with whalebone (I may have access to again from previous owner). The whalebone guard it broken in half and there is evidence of holes for a metal guard. The 2 other whalebone kampilans previously shown on this forum have brass ones. I thought of this but with all of the silver work on this (I tested it all - it is all solid silver ) I wonder if the original metal guard was also silver. What do you think? PS - the eyes on the naga on the mouth of the bone hilt are swaasa! (I tested them too). The scabbard that Bob tested is less than sterling but more than coin silver - really nice!

19th August 2006, 11:06 PM	#14
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Congratulations Jose!!!! This is a very wonderful piece!!! You have all the abilities to restore the guard with an excellent result!!!!

20th August 2006, 12:29 AM	#15
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	CONGRADULATIONS JOSE I HOPE YOU DON'T HAVE TO EAT BEANS AND RICE FOR TOO LONG I WOULD DEFINITELY GO WITH A SILVER SNAKE GAURD LIKE THE ONES THAT ARE ALREADY THERE, PERHAPS EVEN A DOUBBLE ENTWINED SNAKE GAURD. I SUSPECT THAT MAY HAVE BEEN WHAT IT HAD ORIGINALLY. GOOD LUCK I NOTICED THERE IS ONE OF THE GIANT MORO KRIS IN THE PICTURE OF THE SHOP, LOOKS LIKE AN INTERESTING PLACE.

22nd November 2006, 10:33 PM	#18
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	simply incredible, jose! i really like the guard, in the form of snakes; but isn't that against Islamic belief, imitating the real animal? but i have to say tho; that's one heck of a kampy you got..

24th November 2006, 07:45 PM	#19
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	In the PI, the custom of no graven images has some laxity about it. I did this to match the silver ring of double headed snakes that holds the cloth mansala to the hilt (which was already present before I got it). A good point though, especially since okir has been used to do images stylistically.