Kampilan Question

kai · 10th July 2007, 09:16 PM

Hello Rick,

Quote:

What I have observed from cutting with a kampilan; the end third of the blade is what really gets the business done.

Well, isn't that true for just about any sword?

Regards,
Kai

Rick · 10th July 2007, 09:29 PM

potapych · 13th July 2007, 03:44 AM

Hi all. As a matter of possible interest, I have a Kampilan that does have about a third of the "back" side sharpened. The finish and profile of the point, coupled with the facts that it is an older blade and fully an inch longer than my other spike and clip point variations, leads to the conclusion that it is in it's original form.

kai · 13th July 2007, 08:00 AM

That seems to be an old one - I'd have no qualms to place it into 19th c.

What's the blade length?

Could you please post a close-up of the blade tip?

Regards,
Kai

potapych · 13th July 2007, 10:09 AM

Hi Kai,

Hope this helps, it's the best I could do being that it's night time here. The reverse taper is about equivalent to the front edge taper, (a little over 1/4 the blade width) and runs for about 8 1/2" (or 21.6 cm) back from the tip. It is as sharp as the front (very) and there is no indication it has ever been any different.The blade measures 29 5/8" (or 75.75 cm). I'll try for a daylight shot later.

It's scabbard also conforms to the blade profile but that in itself is not so compelling as they were often, (as I'm sure you know), discarded in the heat of things and later replaced.

Best,

Ray

Battara · 13th July 2007, 10:18 PM

And you are sure that the curved back edge is not a later sharpening? This is very unusual. In every single kampilan (and traditionally) the straight part is what is sharpened.

kai · 13th July 2007, 10:55 PM

Hello Jose,

Quote:

And you are sure that the curved back edge is not a later sharpening?

Maybe an acid etch of the blade may give additional clues?

Quote:

This is very unusual. In every single kampilan (and traditionally) the straight part is what is sharpened.

The straight edge of this piece is fully sharpened if I understand correctly. This tip profile is the most likely to be also sharpened: Several members of the klewang family of blades (from which the kampilan obviously originates) do exhibit a sharpened back edge along the tip. It would be nice to hear of other examples if any were known!

Regards,
Kai

13th July 2007, 03:44 AM	#3
potapych Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Left Coast, USA Posts: 14	Hi all. As a matter of possible interest, I have a Kampilan that does have about a third of the "back" side sharpened. The finish and profile of the point, coupled with the facts that it is an older blade and fully an inch longer than my other spike and clip point variations, leads to the conclusion that it is in it's original form. Attached Images Last edited by potapych; 13th July 2007 at 04:05 AM.

13th July 2007, 10:09 AM	#5
potapych Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Left Coast, USA Posts: 14	Hi Kai, Hope this helps, it's the best I could do being that it's night time here. The reverse taper is about equivalent to the front edge taper, (a little over 1/4 the blade width) and runs for about 8 1/2" (or 21.6 cm) back from the tip. It is as sharp as the front (very) and there is no indication it has ever been any different.The blade measures 29 5/8" (or 75.75 cm). I'll try for a daylight shot later. It's scabbard also conforms to the blade profile but that in itself is not so compelling as they were often, (as I'm sure you know), discarded in the heat of things and later replaced. Best, Ray Attached Images Last edited by potapych; 13th July 2007 at 10:26 AM.

10th July 2007, 09:29 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376

13th July 2007, 08:00 AM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	That seems to be an old one - I'd have no qualms to place it into 19th c. What's the blade length? Could you please post a close-up of the blade tip? Regards, Kai

13th July 2007, 10:18 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	And you are sure that the curved back edge is not a later sharpening? This is very unusual. In every single kampilan (and traditionally) the straight part is what is sharpened.