A Special Kampillan

[CCUAL]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

In our collecting careers we have all had pieces that are so hard to find we assume they are just a distant dream, and while we hope to find them one day, we accept that we likely never will. Then, sometimes, almost like love, we find it when least expected!

Such is the case with this twistcore kampillan. I had hopes of a twistcore kampillan and barung one day being in my collection deeply repressed in my mind, realizing they were both unlikely to come to fruition. But, at Baltimore, this piece, bought by a friend, was hiding under a table until we both had a chance to look at it. I had seen the piece in photos but was not terribly impressed by the hilt, realizing, of course, this piece was really all about the blade. But in Baltimore when it came out from under the table the overhead lights seem to give the whole piece a Hollywood aura!!!. I was in love with it and felt very fortunate to have a chance to own it.

The hilt is far better than I had imagined, with a nice patina and decently carved. I think there is a chance it is younger than the blade, but not new or recent. The blade speaks for itself. The twistcore is not only superb but shows a very well controlled plan from a master blade forger.

Please enjoy the pics, though unfortunately, I have not done the kampillan justice.

...does this mean a twistcore barung is out there for me somewhere??!!


Dimensions:
Overall length: 39.5in.
Blade length: 29in.
Blade's widest point: 2in.

Indeed a beautiful Kampilan. Congrats.

How thick is the spine?
..it is visible that it has a hardened edge. Have you etched the twistcore portion of the blade?

I have 11 moro twistcore blades currently in my collection, this are thick and heavy weight blades. 10 krises 1 barong, all react to acid very quickly. Sold one twistcore barong yrs back, that to reacts to acid very quickly.

4 krisses on my previous collections (sold) did not react to acid at all.
I was told they were acid etched pattern.?

[CCUAL]

Here is a kampilan with true twistedcore rod hammered and forged.
I am almost certain you can acid wash this with any kind and the twisted pattern will react to it.

Link attached:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...tcore+kampilan



another one owned by DaveS:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=twistcore



Mandau twistcore with another nice twistcore kampilan by VVV
-what intrigue me is the mandau twistcore pattern.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...orneo+kampilan

[Battara]

Oh by the way - Magellan was killed by an arrow, not a kampilan, although this is not to say kampilans were not used by Lapu Lapu and his people.

[TVV]

Originally Posted by Battara

Oh by the way - Magellan was killed by an arrow, not a kampilan, although this is not to say kampilans were not used by Lapu Lapu and his people.

According to Pigafetta's account, while Magellan was initially wounded by a bamboo spear, it is unclear what actually delivered the killing blow, though a hit with a sword more or less sealed his fate:

A native hurled a bamboo spear into the captain's face, but the latter immediately killed him with his lance, which he left in the native's body. Then, trying to lay hand on sword, he could draw it out but halfway, because he had been wounded in the arm with a bamboo spear. When the natives saw that, they all hurled themselves upon him. One of them wounded him on the left leg with a large cutlass, which resembles a scimitar, only being larger. That caused the captain to fall face downward, when immediately they rushed upon him with iron and bamboo spears and with their cutlasses, until they killed our mirror, our light, our comfort, and our true guide.

[Battara]

I guess I misspoke. I was told by my father that he was hit with an arrow in the leg, which I guess may have been followed by a spear and a kampilan? Again kampilans were all over the islands. Most spears were often bamboo, sharpened and then fire hardened.

[TVV]

Originally Posted by Battara

I guess I misspoke. I was told by my father that he was hit with an arrow in the leg, which I guess may have been followed by a spear and a kampilan? Again kampilans were all over the islands. Most spears were often bamboo, sharpened and then fire hardened.

According to the full account of the battle of Mactan, Magellan was indeed hit by a poisoned arrow in the leg while in the middle of burning some houses down. It may have ultimately killed him, had he not been hacked down in the ensuing hand to hand combat.