Kampilan

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

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.

31st July 2011, 05:19 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,346	Your choice..............It seems to be a battle piece.

31st July 2011, 05:36 AM	#2
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	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	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	#4
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

2nd August 2011, 12:08 PM	#6
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	#7
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.