Kampilan question

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by mross

I have to change my assement of "good solid fighter" I did not see the hair before. This is a sign of a weapon belonging to a person of high status. Very good deal indeed. You have good reason to be happy. If it was mine I would restore it, but I would not do it myself. Check with Battara his work and knowledge are exceptional.

Thank you for reply. This I don't have known before that hair is a sign for high status, now I am more happy then before!
Maybe Battara will look again inside and will give his input before I contact him.

Regards,

sajen

[Sajen]

I can't wait and cleaned the handle with Ballistol (a good mineral oil) and a toothbrush.
Here the dimensions of the Kamp: blade 72 cm, 100 cm complete with handle and 0,8 cm thick blade.

[kai]

Congrats, Detlef, that's a really good kampilan (and a bargain at that)!

The majority of kampilan I've seen did have hair decoration originally; thus, I'm less convinced that hair per se really denotes high status - especially considering that a lot of kampilan are thought to have been arsenal weapons used by the leader to arm warriors in case of battle. High-end and ceremonial kampilan seem to invariably come with hair decoration but the reverse doesn't seem to be necessarily correct. In this case, I don't think that the carving quality suggests a datu's personal piece or ceremonial usage.

I'd guess that this example is antique (hilt post Span.-Am war, possibly turn of the century?). The crossguard never had holes to attach any metal guards though which most of the really old (mid-19th c. or older) kampilan had originally.

I'd carefully clean the blade and give it a light stain to bring up the laminations. In temperate climates with low humidity, the wood benefits from additional protection: I'd be careful with mineral oil though (especially Ballistol which is alkaline) and prefer to apply a good hardening oil (based on boiled linseed oil, tung oil, etc.). Be careful to wipe off any excess oil and let it dry completely before repeating the oiling; topping off with some good microcrystalline wax if desired.

Regards,
Kai

[Rick]

If you can halt the active rust without stripping the patina .
There is history in that gunk on the hilt and blade .

This one below had no active rust so I saw no reason to alter its existing state .

[Battara]

I must agree with Kai, this is probably a ceremonial piece since it has the hair, but not a high status datu class piece. Those would be covered with some silver or even ivory.

This piece had silver coins for eyes and of course the hair.

Still a nice piece.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Battara

I must agree with Kai, this is probably a ceremonial piece since it has the hair, but not a high status datu class piece. Those would be covered with some silver or even ivory.

This piece had silver coins for eyes and of course the hair.

Still a nice piece.

Thank's for your input. Do you would clean the blade when it's your's? And give new hair? And what do you think, there have been old coins or other silver disc's?
The diameter is 19 mm.

Regards,

Detlef

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Thank's for your input. Do you would clean the blade when it's your's? And give new hair? And what do you think, there have been old coins or other silver disc's?
The diameter is 19 mm.

Regards,

Detlef

If it were mine, I would clean and etch the blade and have old Spanish or Philippine coins for eyes (or if not found, then make okir silver discs for eyes), plus replace the hair. I can and have done these before.

[Jazz]

Originally Posted by Battara

I must agree with Kai, this is probably a ceremonial piece since it has the hair, but not a high status datu class piece. Those would be covered with some silver or even ivory.

This piece had silver coins for eyes and of course the hair.

Still a nice piece.

Hi Battara,
With the catchphrase "ceremonial weapon", I've always been preplexed by this but I always wonder what type of ceremony do the Moros do to warrant a different weapon altogether? Thank you in advance.

Gapar

[Battara]

Ceremonial would include special occasions like weddings, dances, meetings with other nobility, etc.

For these the weaponry needs to show the special status of the wearer and is not to be used in battle.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

If you can halt the active rust without stripping the patina .
There is history in that gunk on the hilt and blade .

This one below had no active rust so I saw no reason to alter its existing state .

Hello Rick,

when I see your nice example with very similar blade I tend to do so. Only remove the active rust and keep the dark patina.

Regards,
Detlef

[Rick]

Hi Detlef, it's a personal choice about cleaning a blade .

I have cleaned and etched my share of kris .

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Congrats, Detlef, that's a really good kampilan (and a bargain at that)!

The majority of kampilan I've seen did have hair decoration originally; thus, I'm less convinced that hair per se really denotes high status - especially considering that a lot of kampilan are thought to have been arsenal weapons used by the leader to arm warriors in case of battle. High-end and ceremonial kampilan seem to invariably come with hair decoration but the reverse doesn't seem to be necessarily correct. In this case, I don't think that the carving quality suggests a datu's personal piece or ceremonial usage.

I'd guess that this example is antique (hilt post Span.-Am war, possibly turn of the century?). The crossguard never had holes to attach any metal guards though which most of the really old (mid-19th c. or older) kampilan had originally.

I'd carefully clean the blade and give it a light stain to bring up the laminations. In temperate climates with low humidity, the wood benefits from additional protection: I'd be careful with mineral oil though (especially Ballistol which is alkaline) and prefer to apply a good hardening oil (based on boiled linseed oil, tung oil, etc.). Be careful to wipe off any excess oil and let it dry completely before repeating the oiling; topping off with some good microcrystalline wax if desired.

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,
thank's for the contribution. I will wax the wood again with antique wax, I have one whereby I have had good operating experience with. Do you think that the blade have coactive lamination? I am little bit with Rick to halt the dark patina.

Regards,
Detlef