How to make a scabbard for a Kampilan?

[imas560]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Where have you seen kampilan forms?

[imas560]

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).

[imas560]

oops, apologies if the fma segue is a no-no

[Nirghosa]

Ah OK, I am aware of GM Yuli's interpretations. I occasionally meet with students of his in the US.
I was unaware of any other publically available exhibitions and was quite curious. thanks for the explanation

Why would an FMA sugue be a no no though?

[imas560]

I thought it might be off-topic. Not sure of protocol in regards to discussion that is not centered on the items themselves.

[Nirghosa]

While i am certainly not a moderator, I would think in this instance it would be relevant as it speaks to the possible martial application of the scabbard and the construction techiques requested.

[imas560]

Hello,
managed to make a scabbard from some wooden wall panelling. The groove was the right width for the blade spine. Used a drill in the end to create the space for the blade and have an opening for the blade to exit. The kampilan blade fits snugly and needs a bit of force to exit the scabbard. The next step is the hair additions. Have been doing the rounds of the malls looking for hair extensions and red hair dye "for my daughter, she's going through a phase".

[A. G. Maisey]

Kampilans are well and truly outside my very limited area of knowledge, but the form of the kampilan is the same as a great number of Indonesian swords. The scabbards for these swords are invariably made with the mouth of the scabbard wide enough to accommodate easy entry and removal of the widest part of the blade.
Are there any scabbards for kampilans in existence which come from the period when kampilans were actually used in true combat?

[Battara]

Did you make a breakaway scabbard?

[Spunjer]

Originally Posted by imas560

Hello,
managed to make a scabbard from some wooden wall panelling. The groove was the right width for the blade spine. Used a drill in the end to create the space for the blade and have an opening for the blade to exit. The kampilan blade fits snugly and needs a bit of force to exit the scabbard. The next step is the hair additions. Have been doing the rounds of the malls looking for hair extensions and red hair dye "for my daughter, she's going through a phase".

lol, good one! excellent job on that scabbard, is all i can say!

Are there any scabbards for kampilans in existence which come from the period when kampilans were actually used in true combat?

hello alan,
this particular kampilan would be from the period when they were actually used in combat.

[A. G. Maisey]

Thank you Spunjer.

[imas560]

Hello all,
@Battara: whilst looking at some wooden odds and ends and formulating a quick process on how to setup and route my eye kept resting on the wooden wall boards which had been set aside as they had a bit of wet rot on the bottom. As I'm usually in a rush I decided for a quick and dirty option of using the solid board with an opening in the bottom. But I'm still formulating a breakaway scabbard using some plywood and a router but I'll save that for the other 2 kampilans as I'd need to approach the project with a bit more TLC.

@AGMaisey: Hello Mr Maisey, thanks for the info re the scabbard. You helped me out a year or two ago with some tips on protocol and etiquette for my trip to Malaysia which was greatly appreciated and very helpful. I am hoping to visit Empu Mazin on my next visit. On one of my visits he was finishing off a keris panjang which was a work of art and I would like to talk to him about them. This time without my kiddies chasing chickens and cats into the bush.

[Spunjer]

GM Yuli Romo demonstrating the Kampilan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCl1T6c8w4A

[imas560]

Hello all,
the hair extensions arrived today and the hair holes are ready.
Cato mentions that the hair tufts "generally measure six to eight inches in length". Does this seem to be the norm?
thanks

[VANDOO]

MOST I HAVE SEEN WOULD BE IN THE 5 TO 6 INCH LEGNTH. THE ONES WITH 2 TO 3 INCH ARE NOT LONG ENOUGH TO FLEX AND BEND AND DON'T LOOK GOOD AND SOME EXAMPLES HAVE FRAZZELED LOOKING TUFTS WHICH TAKE AWAY FROM THE NICE LOOKS OF THE SWORD.
I AM NOT SURE HOW THE HAIR IS PUT IN AS I HAVE NEVER GOT AROUND TO DOING IT. THE HAIR IS HELD IN BY A WOOD PEG BUT WEATHER THE TUFT IS INSERTED IN THE HOLE FIRST THEN THE PEG INSERTED OR THE HAIR ATTACHED TO THE PEG AND INSERTED TOGETHER ANOTHER POSSIBILITY IS IF THE HAIR WAS LONG ENOUGH SAY 12 INCHES TO FIND THE MIDDLE AND STICK IN THE HOLE AND INSERT THE PEG RESULTING IN TWO 6 INCH TUFTS PER HOLE. WHEN THE JOB IS COMPLETE THE TUFTS ARE CUT TO BE EVEN IN LEGNTH. I HAVE PONDERED THIS IN THE PAST BUT NEVER GOT THE MATERIALS AND GAVE IT A TRY SO I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING HOW YOU GO ABOUT IT. GOOD LUCK

[imas560]

Thanks Vandoo

[imas560]

So I'm almost ready to apply the hair tufts but I thought I'd better verify the kampilan.
I was working under the assumption that the kampilan is a recently made piece (recent as in made in the last 10 years). But I want to confirm first as I was thinking the scabbard is an addition that does not alter the item but the hair tufts affixed become part of the item. I have taken a few additional photos and I was hoping that someone could be able to quickly tell that the kampilan is a recently made item.
The dimes do not show the year, but I thought it could be quite easy to get hold of a couple of old coins.
The kampilan is approx 39 inches / 1 metre long.
Thanks everyone for your help.

[VANDOO]

YOU HAVE A PM MESSAGE

[imas560]

thanks Vandoo, much appreciated

[imas560]

Hello all,
finally finished the hair tufts. Was going to dye the chestnut hair extensions a deep red but the daughter had managed to do some french braids whilst I was busy with something else. When I got her to undo the braids the chestnut hair had a nice wave to it so decided to do a combination of black and chestnut tufts.

[VANDOO]

VERY NICELY DONE A BIG IMPROVEMENT ON THE SWORD AND YOU GOT TO LEARN QUITE A LOT WHILE DOING THE WORK.

[Battara]

First, nice scabbard. Glad you got it done.

Second, Ron what a great video, thanks!

[Nirghosa]

On a related note, i'm just finishing up a kampilan trainer for personal use.
Does anyone have advice for darkening rattan strips/cane? I have some nice narrow stock Federico gifted me.
I'm planning to do a traditional rattan grip on the handle. I've used black tea before on the strips but it just doesn't get dark enough.
Also, i've applied it after soaking so it will shrink and tighten. Any advice from others who've wrapped handles?

Steve

[Nirghosa]

No one has suggestions?

[Robert]

Nirghosa, Ritz dye would be my suggestion as it comes in many colors, is easy to use and can be purchased in about any grocery store. Hope that this is of some help to you.


Regards,
Robert

[Nirghosa]

thanks!