Five kampilans: which two to buy?

migueldiaz · 26th October 2008, 12:04 PM

Following Spunjer's tip on which shop to check out in Manila for good Moro pieces, I got to see the other day the five kampilans below.

Can I please request for your usual kind comments and suggestions on which one/s should I buy? Let's say if my budget is good for just two kampilans, which two would they be in your opinion?

We are not after a consensus obviously, as it's understood that there's also subjectivity involved.

Hope you can give feedback!

Here's the first set out of four sets of photos:

migueldiaz · 26th October 2008, 12:08 PM

Second photo set of four:

migueldiaz · 26th October 2008, 12:11 PM

Third photo set of four:

migueldiaz · 26th October 2008, 12:17 PM

Fourth photo set of four is found below.

So which would be the top two pieces you can recommend? Remember, we are not after a consensus here ... so please feel free to give your own views.

Thanks again!

VANDOO · 27th October 2008, 08:17 PM

IT WOULD APPEAR THAT YOU HAVE MADE THE SELECTIONS I WOULD HAVE. ALL OF THESE MAY HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE TOURIST MARKET BUT IN THE EARLIER PICTURES THE 2 TO THE RIGHT ARE OF BETTER WORKMANSHIP, THEY ARE ALSO THE TWO YOU PICTURED LAST. THE ONE WITH THE COIN FOR AN EYE AND THE SILVER WIRE WORK AND ATTACHED PANNELS OF SOMETHING IS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE. I CAN'T TELL FROM PICTURES IF THE BLADE OR HANDLE IS AN OLD ORIGINAL OR NOT BUT DO SUSPECT THE COIN, WIRE AND ATTACHED PANNELS ARE ADD ONS IF IT IS AN OLD ONE. THE OTHER ONE'S HANDLE LOOKS OLDER BUT IT ALSO LOOKS LIKE IT MAY BE ARTIFICIALLY AGED. BEARING IN MIND ALL THAT CHECK BALANCE BLADE THICKNESS AND IF THE WORK LOOKS OLD AND THAT SOMETHING IS NOT JUST A BIT OFF TO MAKE YOU SUSPICIOUS. THEN IF YOU LIKE THEM AND CAN GET A GOOD PRICE ON THEM GO FOR IT. EVEN IF THEY ARE OF WW2 OR LATER MANUFACTURE IN 100 YEARS THEY WILL BE GOOD OLD ONES.

Rick · 27th October 2008, 10:29 PM

Look for good flex in the blade; check the taper of the blade looking down the spine; it should taper evenly to almost wafer thin at the point .

I won't suggest an example for you to buy however .
I cannot hold them in my hands .

26th October 2008, 12:04 PM	#1
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Five kampilans: which two to buy? Following Spunjer's tip on which shop to check out in Manila for good Moro pieces, I got to see the other day the five kampilans below. Can I please request for your usual kind comments and suggestions on which one/s should I buy? Let's say if my budget is good for just two kampilans, which two would they be in your opinion? We are not after a consensus obviously, as it's understood that there's also subjectivity involved. Hope you can give feedback! Here's the first set out of four sets of photos: Attached Images Last edited by migueldiaz; 26th October 2008 at 12:21 PM.

26th October 2008, 12:08 PM	#2
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Second photo set of four: Attached Images

26th October 2008, 12:11 PM	#3
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Third photo set of four: Attached Images

26th October 2008, 12:17 PM	#4
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Fourth photo set of four is found below. So which would be the top two pieces you can recommend? Remember, we are not after a consensus here ... so please feel free to give your own views. Thanks again! Attached Images

27th October 2008, 08:17 PM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT WOULD APPEAR THAT YOU HAVE MADE THE SELECTIONS I WOULD HAVE. ALL OF THESE MAY HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE TOURIST MARKET BUT IN THE EARLIER PICTURES THE 2 TO THE RIGHT ARE OF BETTER WORKMANSHIP, THEY ARE ALSO THE TWO YOU PICTURED LAST. THE ONE WITH THE COIN FOR AN EYE AND THE SILVER WIRE WORK AND ATTACHED PANNELS OF SOMETHING IS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE. I CAN'T TELL FROM PICTURES IF THE BLADE OR HANDLE IS AN OLD ORIGINAL OR NOT BUT DO SUSPECT THE COIN, WIRE AND ATTACHED PANNELS ARE ADD ONS IF IT IS AN OLD ONE. THE OTHER ONE'S HANDLE LOOKS OLDER BUT IT ALSO LOOKS LIKE IT MAY BE ARTIFICIALLY AGED. BEARING IN MIND ALL THAT CHECK BALANCE BLADE THICKNESS AND IF THE WORK LOOKS OLD AND THAT SOMETHING IS NOT JUST A BIT OFF TO MAKE YOU SUSPICIOUS. THEN IF YOU LIKE THEM AND CAN GET A GOOD PRICE ON THEM GO FOR IT. EVEN IF THEY ARE OF WW2 OR LATER MANUFACTURE IN 100 YEARS THEY WILL BE GOOD OLD ONES.

27th October 2008, 10:29 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	Look for good flex in the blade; check the taper of the blade looking down the spine; it should taper evenly to almost wafer thin at the point . I won't suggest an example for you to buy however . I cannot hold them in my hands .