Whale Bone Kampilan

[Ian]

Oldschldude:

Very nice kampilan and congrats on finding such a good piece.

I just have one question. Are you sure this hilt is whalebone? Old wood that has dried out and been "weathered" can look very similar. I'm not seeing the porosity in the hilt material that I associate with whale bone, but I can see a longitudinal "grain" that makes me think this is perhaps wood. Also, the carving has remained very crisp for whale bone, which tends to crumble a bit with repeated handling. The cross guard appears to be wood. Whale bone would also be a rather fragile material on which to hang chain mail.

Just a few thoughts.

Ian.

[oldschldude]

Originally Posted by Ian

Oldschldude:

Very nice kampilan and congrats on finding such a good piece.

I just have one question. Are you sure this hilt is whalebone? Old wood that has dried out and been "weathered" can look very similar. I'm not seeing the porosity in the hilt material that I associate with whale bone, but I can see a longitudinal "grain" that makes me think this is perhaps wood. Also, the carving has remained very crisp for whale bone, which tends to crumble a bit with repeated handling. The cross guard appears to be wood. Whale bone would also be a rather fragile material on which to hang chain mail.

Just a few thoughts.

Ian.

Hello Ian,
Thanks for the greetings! Good point there. Yes I'm sure its bone and not wood. I would like to take more close up pictures but its very fragile as the rattan reinforcing the hilt to the guard had already snapped. Although there's a part on the guard where the chain rubbing on the guard had rubbed off the dark patina exposing the bone and polishing the bone. (In one of the pics I already uploaded.) Its also possible to my opinion, that the guard is probably from much stronger part of the whale(or maybe even ivory) hence darker patina and stronger than the hilt as to supporting the chain as you mentioned. Thanks for your reply. Oldscldude.

I've edited this reply cause I found more pics in my phone. In one of the pics I attached, the hilt/handle looks like whale bone grain. One of the pics also is a close up. You could zoom into it. This Kamp is just really really old and needs attention but was stored safely for a long time. Thanks again..oldschldude.

[Battara]

By the look of better pictures, it sure looks bone to me!

[oldschldude]

Originally Posted by Battara

By the look of better pictures, it sure looks bone to me!

Sometimes its hard to tell or analyze without clear or closeup pictures. (Got me looking at it again.) From some philippine swords I have seen in the internet, few do have white weathered bleached wood with patina or driftwood looking hilts or scabbards. Thanks Battara and everyone for their inputs...Oldscldude

[Battara]

Yup that's bone alright!

Great close ups!