Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Lew · 7th July 2008, 07:40 PM

Rick

There seems to be so many more kris around than kampilan that in itself shows it was a more popular weapon. Kampilan are heavier and more awkward to swing and harder to recover than a kris and when used together with a shield a kris in my opinion would be the better of the two. Are kampilan blades pinned or anchored to the hilt as are the kris via the baca baca? If not the blade would be more prone to separating from the hilt after a many powerful blows against a shield or another weapon. I just find the kris more user friendly thats all

Rick neither the kris or kampilan are true slashing weapon they are really more cleave and shearing types. The tip of the kampilan might be able to open you up a bit but it's the sweet spot several inches behind the tip is where all the power of the blade is concentrated as is the kris. Plus the general shape of the kampilan tip would not lend itself to be good at penetrating armor or even non protected soft body parts the curl on the upper tip would get hung up on a rib or something.

Lew

7th July 2008, 07:40 PM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Rick There seems to be so many more kris around than kampilan that in itself shows it was a more popular weapon. Kampilan are heavier and more awkward to swing and harder to recover than a kris and when used together with a shield a kris in my opinion would be the better of the two. Are kampilan blades pinned or anchored to the hilt as are the kris via the baca baca? If not the blade would be more prone to separating from the hilt after a many powerful blows against a shield or another weapon. I just find the kris more user friendly thats all Rick neither the kris or kampilan are true slashing weapon they are really more cleave and shearing types. The tip of the kampilan might be able to open you up a bit but it's the sweet spot several inches behind the tip is where all the power of the blade is concentrated as is the kris. Plus the general shape of the kampilan tip would not lend itself to be good at penetrating armor or even non protected soft body parts the curl on the upper tip would get hung up on a rib or something. Lew Attached Images Last edited by LOUIEBLADES; 7th July 2008 at 08:04 PM.