Kampilan with unusual Thalassic guard form

Bill M · 12th February 2007, 09:47 PM

Unusual Hilt.

Opinions?

VVV · 12th February 2007, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

Unusual Hilt.

Opinions?

Maybe I have missed something but the hilt doesn't look that unusual to me?
Very nicely carved though.

Michael

David · 12th February 2007, 11:08 PM

I agree...it's a nice hilt, but it doesn't look all that unusal to me either.

Bill M · 12th February 2007, 11:33 PM

I meant to say "unusual guard."

Well, maybe not THAT unusual!

A little bit unusual?

zelbone · 13th February 2007, 07:13 AM

I've got one...not that rare...

...saw a few with the same guard here in Mindanao as well. Unfortunately...most you wouldn't have access to these weapons.

FenrisWolf · 13th February 2007, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelbone

I've got one...not that rare...

...saw a few with the same guard here in Mindanao as well. Unfortunately...most you wouldn't have access to these weapons.

Now you have my curiosity piqued, and I don't even collect these. On one hand you say they aren't that rare, and on the other that most collectors wouldn't have access. Is there some special significance to the style of hilt that precludes it falling into the hnd of foreign collectors? Inquiring minds want to know!

Bill M · 13th February 2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelbone

I've got one...not that rare...

Zel - would you go for "unusual" I can't find anyone said "rare" in this thread

wilked aka Khun Deng · 16th February 2007, 09:53 AM

All this time I thought it was a cockatoo, first time I'm hearing waves. Ian you were with me when I picked up this one and it's really similiar.

Dan

Ian · 16th February 2007, 10:43 AM

Dan:

I was thinking of your example a few days ago in relation to this thread. The rounded "curly" forms of decoration are relatively uncommon on kampilan and your example is unique in my experience -- definitely old (at least early 20th C) and well executed hilt and guard. In some ways the rounded curls remind me as much of vines and leaves as waves.

The guard on yours does look bird-like. Perhaps an eagle or cockatoo.

Like many of Cato's descriptions, one wonders where the term came from. He does not document his sources, and without that documentation one is left wondering if much of his information could be confirmed. Frustrating.

Ian.

Bill M · 16th February 2007, 12:07 PM

Any ideas about this one? Has it been highly modified, or was it born this way?

Sometimes I wonder if pieces were worked on to sell to tourists or were they battle pieces that the owner just thought, "Hey, fix this grip so I can get a good hold on it and let me get back to fighting!"

I got a kris around here somewhere.....

Bill M · 16th February 2007, 12:24 PM

Rattan kris -- found it. Somehow this seems to fit with the kampilan. I can see some guy saying, "Blade is loose. I don't have a lot of time or money. FIX IT!"

I think that this kris and the kampilan make a nice pair.

Anyone else make up fantasy stories about your collection? While I am on this subject, does anyone seem to communicate with their weapons when you are cleaning and polishing them? I feel very much closer to them when I work on them.

Excuse me now, I am going to light some incense and a few candles . . . .

Tim Simmons · 16th February 2007, 05:03 PM

I think you all know I am not a man that cares for fantastic gobbledygook, truth is stranger than fiction. But I too find handling these objects a conduit to the past and a person in another land. When there is such a repair the objet almosts shouts back at you.

12th February 2007, 09:47 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Kampilan with unusual Thalassic guard form Unusual Hilt. Opinions? Attached Images

16th February 2007, 09:53 AM	#8
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	Waves??? All this time I thought it was a cockatoo, first time I'm hearing waves. Ian you were with me when I picked up this one and it's really similiar. Dan Attached Images

16th February 2007, 12:07 PM	#10
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Any ideas about this one? Has it been highly modified, or was it born this way? Sometimes I wonder if pieces were worked on to sell to tourists or were they battle pieces that the owner just thought, "Hey, fix this grip so I can get a good hold on it and let me get back to fighting!" I got a kris around here somewhere..... Attached Images

16th February 2007, 12:24 PM	#11
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Rattan kris -- found it. Somehow this seems to fit with the kampilan. I can see some guy saying, "Blade is loose. I don't have a lot of time or money. FIX IT!" I think that this kris and the kampilan make a nice pair. Anyone else make up fantasy stories about your collection? While I am on this subject, does anyone seem to communicate with their weapons when you are cleaning and polishing them? I feel very much closer to them when I work on them. Excuse me now, I am going to light some incense and a few candles . . . . Attached Images

12th February 2007, 11:08 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,053	I agree...it's a nice hilt, but it doesn't look all that unusal to me either.

12th February 2007, 11:33 PM	#4
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	I meant to say "unusual guard." Well, maybe not THAT unusual! A little bit unusual?

13th February 2007, 07:13 AM	#5
zelbone Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: VISAYAS and MINDANAO Posts: 169	I've got one...not that rare... ...saw a few with the same guard here in Mindanao as well. Unfortunately...most you wouldn't have access to these weapons.

16th February 2007, 10:43 AM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,068	Dan: I was thinking of your example a few days ago in relation to this thread. The rounded "curly" forms of decoration are relatively uncommon on kampilan and your example is unique in my experience -- definitely old (at least early 20th C) and well executed hilt and guard. In some ways the rounded curls remind me as much of vines and leaves as waves. The guard on yours does look bird-like. Perhaps an eagle or cockatoo. Like many of Cato's descriptions, one wonders where the term came from. He does not document his sources, and without that documentation one is left wondering if much of his information could be confirmed. Frustrating. Ian.

16th February 2007, 05:03 PM	#12
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,746	I think you all know I am not a man that cares for fantastic gobbledygook, truth is stranger than fiction. But I too find handling these objects a conduit to the past and a person in another land. When there is such a repair the objet almosts shouts back at you.