My First Kampilan

[kronckew]

next you can find a goat to shave for the hair tufts to put in the grip holes.


(not mine )


all-in-all yours is a nice one...

[ariel]

Assuming gas consumption of 10 km/l and the current gas price in Australia, we are talking about AU$ 100. Plus motel(?) for one night....

Couldn't the seller just mail it?

Am I missing something?

[RSWORD]

Very nice Kampilan! Would love to hear more about this bizarre interaction with the local!

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by ariel

Assuming gas consumption of 10 km/l and the current gas price in Australia, we are talking about AU$ 100. Plus motel(?) for one night....

Couldn't the seller just mail it?

Am I missing something?

sadly, i've had a couple UK dealers who flat refused to ship via post office or courier. one i talked into it, one said none of the local couriers agents would ship a sword, in spite of the fact other dealers have used the same couriers that supposedly refused him. not worth driving 100+ kilometers tho.

[ariel]

Crazy...

Is the same true in Australia?

[Robert]

Great looking Kampilan Russel, I'm glad that you ended up getting it. As for cleaning, first I would go over the hilt very carefully using a soft toothbrush to remove the dirt from the carved areas. Removing the wasp nests (mud and dead spiders) from the holes where the hair would have originally been will most likely require the use of something a bit more aggressive. I will usually use a small stiff nylon tube cleaning brush for areas like this as they will remove the almost cement like mud from the holes without damaging the wood around them. Afterwards a wipe with a very lightly dampened cloth to remove any dust or dirt left clinging to the wood and then a good coat of wax to finish. Congratulations on being able to add this great piece to your collection.

Best,
Robert

[russel]

Originally Posted by Robert

Great looking Kampilan Russel, I'm glad that you ended up getting it. As for cleaning, first I would go over the hilt very carefully using a soft toothbrush to remove the dirt from the carved areas. Removing the wasp nests (mud and dead spiders) from the holes where the hair would have originally been will most likely require the use of something a bit more aggressive. I will usually use a small stiff nylon tube cleaning brush for areas like this as they will remove the almost cement like mud from the holes without damaging the wood around them. Afterwards a wipe with a very lightly dampened cloth to remove any dust or dirt left clinging to the wood and then a good coat of wax to finish. Congratulations on being able to add this great piece to your collection.

Best,
Robert

Thanks Robert, what type of wax would you recommend?

[russel]

Originally Posted by ariel

Assuming gas consumption of 10 km/l and the current gas price in Australia, we are talking about AU$ 100. Plus motel(?) for one night....

Couldn't the seller just mail it?

Am I missing something?

The seller (not a Dealer) was reluctant to post the sword ("too much trouble"), and to be honest I have had some heart stopping moments with poorly packaged swords sent by people who didn't know what they were doing.

A 600 km drive isn't a huge ordeal in Australia, no overnight stay required. It was a great opportunity for a pleasant country drive, stopping at antique stores and farmgate stalls along the way (and of course a pub for lunch).