Kampilan

Robert · 31st July 2011, 01:58 AM

Here are a few pictures of my new kampilan. It is 40-1/2 inches overall with a 29-1/2 inch blade that is 5/16 inch thick at the hilt. There is some chipping to the wooden hilt but thankfully not much. Were all of the grips on these originally wrapped for a better grip or were some just plain wood? Comments as always would be very welcome.

Robert

Robert · 31st July 2011, 02:04 AM

One last picture of part of the blade.

Robert

Rick · 31st July 2011, 02:55 AM

Pretty much all were wrapped; yours has a hole for the extra loop .

Robert · 31st July 2011, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Pretty much all were wrapped; yours has a hole for the extra loop

Thank you Rick. Could you possibly post a picture of the other side of the hilt to go with the one above? This looks like it's going to be a real pain in the --- to re-do.

I think I'm going to have to do quite a bit of practicing to get this even close to being right. Or should it be left as is ? Suggestions anyone ???

Robert

Battara · 31st July 2011, 05:19 AM

Your choice..............It seems to be a battle piece.

Robert · 31st July 2011, 05:36 AM

A battle piece, that's great as I really appreciate true working blades. I was thinking late 19th centure on this, am I close ?

Robert

kai · 31st July 2011, 10:11 AM

Hello Robert,

Yes, by all accounts a genuine, traditional kampilan!

Late 19th c. seems reasonable for the hilt; the blade tip shows signs of long-time sharpening: I'd guess that the somewhat rough blade is more likely the sign of an old village blade rather than late workmanship. What's the thickness at the base?

Redoing the rattan wrap is not terribly difficult. Just make sure to stain the rattan before working with it.

Regards,
Kai

Robert · 31st July 2011, 03:09 PM

Hello Kai,

Thank you for taking a look at this and for your thoughts. The blade it 5/16 inch thick at the hilt. Taking that into consideration, what would be your opinion as to the age of this piece? Thank you again for your assistance.

Robert

Rick · 31st July 2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Coleman

Thank you Rick. Could you possibly post a picture of the other side of the hilt to go with the one above? This looks like it's going to be a real pain in the --- to re-do.

I think I'm going to have to do quite a bit of practicing to get this even close to being right. Or should it be left as is ? Suggestions anyone ???

Robert

Sure .
Note the 3 woven rings under the overwrapping .

Robert · 1st August 2011, 12:55 AM

Rick, Thank you for your help with posting these pictures. With both sides I get a very clear picture of how the grip wrap was done. Now all I have to do is add this to what seems to be my never ending list of things I need to do. Thanks again.

Robert

kai · 2nd August 2011, 11:14 AM

Hello Robert,

Quote:

The blade it 5/16 inch thick at the hilt. Taking that into consideration, what would be your opinion as to the age of this piece?

8mm is not thick for a kampilan - many old ones are half an inch or more. However, there are also thinner ones from the 19th c. (some may be worn but one wouldn't expect a lot of wear at the base of these blades). I'd prefer to feel the balance and examine the kampilan up close and personal to get a better idea but short of that I think I'll stick with the late 19th c. guess.

An interesting feature is the kinked carving at the base of the pommel; would be interesting to see more exmples like this.

Regards,
Kai

Atlantia · 2nd August 2011, 12:08 PM

Hi Robert,

Nice addition to the family there

I've never owned one of these....
Or at least not for so long I can't remember lol!
Congrats on a nice find mate!
Gene

tom hyle · 4th August 2011, 09:20 AM

That "kinked" carving is very interesting; never seen it before, I don't think.
I think these grips are always wrapped, and very often in 3 bands of wrapping.
That yours was wrapped can be seen in the roughness/crudeness of the actual grip surface compared to the rest of the hilt.
nice looking sword.

Robert · 4th August 2011, 09:26 PM

Hello Tom and thank you for your observations and opinions on this piece. I have been looking through all of the older posts on kampilans for the different styles of hilt wrappings used and so far have not found another with this most interesting "kinked" carving that both you and Kai have pointed out.

Gene, thank you for your kind words on this and hopefully you will soon be able to find one to go with your ever growing collection. Good luck with the hunt.

Robert

31st July 2011, 01:58 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Kampilan Here are a few pictures of my new kampilan. It is 40-1/2 inches overall with a 29-1/2 inch blade that is 5/16 inch thick at the hilt. There is some chipping to the wooden hilt but thankfully not much. Were all of the grips on these originally wrapped for a better grip or were some just plain wood? Comments as always would be very welcome. Robert Attached Images

31st July 2011, 02:04 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	One last picture of part of the blade. Robert Attached Images

31st July 2011, 02:55 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Pretty much all were wrapped; yours has a hole for the extra loop . Attached Images

31st July 2011, 05:19 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Your choice..............It seems to be a battle piece.

31st July 2011, 05:36 AM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	A battle piece, that's great as I really appreciate true working blades. I was thinking late 19th centure on this, am I close ? Robert

31st July 2011, 10:11 AM	#7
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Robert, Yes, by all accounts a genuine, traditional kampilan! Late 19th c. seems reasonable for the hilt; the blade tip shows signs of long-time sharpening: I'd guess that the somewhat rough blade is more likely the sign of an old village blade rather than late workmanship. What's the thickness at the base? Redoing the rattan wrap is not terribly difficult. Just make sure to stain the rattan before working with it. Regards, Kai

31st July 2011, 03:09 PM	#8
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Kai, Thank you for taking a look at this and for your thoughts. The blade it 5/16 inch thick at the hilt. Taking that into consideration, what would be your opinion as to the age of this piece? Thank you again for your assistance. Robert

1st August 2011, 12:55 AM	#10
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Rick, Thank you for your help with posting these pictures. With both sides I get a very clear picture of how the grip wrap was done. Now all I have to do is add this to what seems to be my never ending list of things I need to do. Thanks again. Robert

2nd August 2011, 12:08 PM	#12
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Robert, Nice addition to the family there I've never owned one of these.... Or at least not for so long I can't remember lol! Congrats on a nice find mate! Gene

4th August 2011, 09:20 AM	#13
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	That "kinked" carving is very interesting; never seen it before, I don't think. I think these grips are always wrapped, and very often in 3 bands of wrapping. That yours was wrapped can be seen in the roughness/crudeness of the actual grip surface compared to the rest of the hilt. nice looking sword.

4th August 2011, 09:26 PM	#14
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Tom and thank you for your observations and opinions on this piece. I have been looking through all of the older posts on kampilans for the different styles of hilt wrappings used and so far have not found another with this most interesting "kinked" carving that both you and Kai have pointed out. Gene, thank you for your kind words on this and hopefully you will soon be able to find one to go with your ever growing collection. Good luck with the hunt. Robert