Moro Kampilan for comment!!!

VANDOO · 3rd August 2005, 02:04 AM

THE WORKMANSHIP IS NICE, THE TWO FANCY SILVER FITTINGS ON THE HANDLE AND THE FANCY BRASS OR GOLD EYE ARE NOT IN KEEPING WITH THE USUAL OLD KAMPILLIAN DECORATIONS. I HAD BID ON ONE WITH A FANCY ENGRAVED DESIGN ON A METAL PLATE ON ITS GAURD ON EBAY WITHIN THE LAST YEAR BUT FAILED TO GET IT. ANOTHER MEMBER GOT IT PERHAPS HE WILL ENLIGHTEN US AS TO IF IT IS NEW OR OLD. I HAVE SEEN THAT TYPE OF DAMMAGE ON ANTIQUED BLADES FROM BORNEO, THEY WERE TREATED WITH STRONG ACID WHICH RUINS A NICE BLADE WEATHER OLD OR NEW. IF YOU AQUIRE ONE IN FUTURE YOU MIGHT TRY SOME LITMUS PAPER ON IT BEFORE YOU CLEAN IT(PUT A LITTLE WATER ON A CRUDDY SPOT AND MIX IT AROUND WITH A BRUSH AND THEN APPLY THE PAPER). IF THE LITMUS TURNS FAST YOU CAN BE PRETTY SURE ACID WAS USED. YOU STILL MIGHT TRY IT JUST IN CASE SOME ACID REMAINS. THE ART OF ANTIQUING SWORDS AND OTHER ARTEFACTS IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD IS VERY GOOD AND OFTEN VERY DIFFICULT TO DETECT. THE MUSEUMS USED TO LOOK ON WOODCARVINGS AND WICKER WORK FROM NEW GUINEA AND OTHER REGIONS FOR THE SHELLS OF A CERTIAN TYPE OF BUG TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS AUTHENTIC. THE PRODUCERS FOUND OUT SO STARTED MAKEING SURE TO LEAVE THEIR WORK IN A SUITABLE ENVIORNMENT FOR A SUFFICENT TIME TO ALLOW THE BUGS TO DO THEIR WORK. CARVEINGS ARE ALSO SMOKED STAINED WITH VARIOUS CONCOCTIONS AND BURIED, MOST ANYTHING ORGANIC CAN BE EASILY ANTIQUED IF YOU KNOW HOW. THE CHINESE ARE THE MOST ADEPT AT MAKEING PATINAS ON BRONZE AND BRASS ITEMS.
I LIKE KAMPILLIANS AND DON'T MIND GETTING A MORE RECENT WELL MADE ONE IF ITS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I HAVE BUT WOULD PREFER TO HAVE ITS CORRECT AGE AND A UNDAMMAGED BLADE.

Federico · 5th August 2005, 12:43 AM

There are 19th century kampilans with metal fittings, such as bands as this one displays, and most definitely brass dot inlay existed well before the 20th century. However, at least in regards to metal fittings, they are very very rare, and usually on very opulent pieces, such as ivory hilted kampilan.

As Ian noted the rough blade and fresh hilt are always scary signs. Compared to metal, wood is nowhere near as durable, hence all the re-hilting we see in older pieces. To see a blade that is really worn, but a hilt that even if cleaned and restored is near pristine raises alot of questons. Blade thickness can be a clue. If it is really thin, then it could be a replacement.

Spunjer · 5th August 2005, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Blade thickness can be a clue. If it is really thin, then it could be a replacement.

federico,
what would you consider as thin blade, say, on a kampilan?

Federico · 5th August 2005, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

federico,
what would you consider as thin blade, say, on a kampilan?

Well if its an 1/8" at the base, or if there is very little distal taper, etc... More or less looking for that cut out vs drawn out feel/look. Dunno if that makes sense or not.

Spunjer · 5th August 2005, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Well if its an 1/8" at the base, or if there is very little distal taper, etc... More or less looking for that cut out vs drawn out feel/look. Dunno if that makes sense or not.

okay, i see what you're saying.

as for this statement:

Quote:

As Ian noted the rough blade and fresh hilt are always scary signs. Compared to metal, wood is nowhere near as durable, hence all the re-hilting we see in older pieces. To see a blade that is really worn, but a hilt that even if cleaned and restored is near pristine raises alot of questons

that's spot on. makes a lot of sense...

Rick · 5th August 2005, 02:23 PM

Agreed with Federico about distal taper . Both of my old Kampilan taper from a strong quarter inch at the hilt to a sixteenth at the tip .
They both show very good temper (flex) .

Bill · 5th August 2005, 03:33 PM

Hi Philkid, How did you clean the blade, did you use chemicals, like a paint stripper? What else did the owner say about the history.

3rd August 2005, 02:04 AM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE WORKMANSHIP IS NICE, THE TWO FANCY SILVER FITTINGS ON THE HANDLE AND THE FANCY BRASS OR GOLD EYE ARE NOT IN KEEPING WITH THE USUAL OLD KAMPILLIAN DECORATIONS. I HAD BID ON ONE WITH A FANCY ENGRAVED DESIGN ON A METAL PLATE ON ITS GAURD ON EBAY WITHIN THE LAST YEAR BUT FAILED TO GET IT. ANOTHER MEMBER GOT IT PERHAPS HE WILL ENLIGHTEN US AS TO IF IT IS NEW OR OLD. I HAVE SEEN THAT TYPE OF DAMMAGE ON ANTIQUED BLADES FROM BORNEO, THEY WERE TREATED WITH STRONG ACID WHICH RUINS A NICE BLADE WEATHER OLD OR NEW. IF YOU AQUIRE ONE IN FUTURE YOU MIGHT TRY SOME LITMUS PAPER ON IT BEFORE YOU CLEAN IT(PUT A LITTLE WATER ON A CRUDDY SPOT AND MIX IT AROUND WITH A BRUSH AND THEN APPLY THE PAPER). IF THE LITMUS TURNS FAST YOU CAN BE PRETTY SURE ACID WAS USED. YOU STILL MIGHT TRY IT JUST IN CASE SOME ACID REMAINS. THE ART OF ANTIQUING SWORDS AND OTHER ARTEFACTS IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD IS VERY GOOD AND OFTEN VERY DIFFICULT TO DETECT. THE MUSEUMS USED TO LOOK ON WOODCARVINGS AND WICKER WORK FROM NEW GUINEA AND OTHER REGIONS FOR THE SHELLS OF A CERTIAN TYPE OF BUG TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS AUTHENTIC. THE PRODUCERS FOUND OUT SO STARTED MAKEING SURE TO LEAVE THEIR WORK IN A SUITABLE ENVIORNMENT FOR A SUFFICENT TIME TO ALLOW THE BUGS TO DO THEIR WORK. CARVEINGS ARE ALSO SMOKED STAINED WITH VARIOUS CONCOCTIONS AND BURIED, MOST ANYTHING ORGANIC CAN BE EASILY ANTIQUED IF YOU KNOW HOW. THE CHINESE ARE THE MOST ADEPT AT MAKEING PATINAS ON BRONZE AND BRASS ITEMS. I LIKE KAMPILLIANS AND DON'T MIND GETTING A MORE RECENT WELL MADE ONE IF ITS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I HAVE BUT WOULD PREFER TO HAVE ITS CORRECT AGE AND A UNDAMMAGED BLADE.

5th August 2005, 12:43 AM	#2
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	There are 19th century kampilans with metal fittings, such as bands as this one displays, and most definitely brass dot inlay existed well before the 20th century. However, at least in regards to metal fittings, they are very very rare, and usually on very opulent pieces, such as ivory hilted kampilan. As Ian noted the rough blade and fresh hilt are always scary signs. Compared to metal, wood is nowhere near as durable, hence all the re-hilting we see in older pieces. To see a blade that is really worn, but a hilt that even if cleaned and restored is near pristine raises alot of questons. Blade thickness can be a clue. If it is really thin, then it could be a replacement.

5th August 2005, 02:23 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Agreed with Federico about distal taper . Both of my old Kampilan taper from a strong quarter inch at the hilt to a sixteenth at the tip . They both show very good temper (flex) .

5th August 2005, 03:33 PM	#7
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Hi Philkid, How did you clean the blade, did you use chemicals, like a paint stripper? What else did the owner say about the history.