Ancient Sword - The Philippine Kampilan Sword Reviewed

The Philippine Kampilan Sword is an Ancient SwordPanabas. This is another Long Sword used by the
that has a single edged blade. It is used mostPhilippines, and occasionally you will find one of
often in the Archipelago which are the over 7000these up to 48 Inches. The Kampilan is similar to
islands which comprise of the Philippines. Thisthe Klewang, as the blade by the hilt is unusually
Battle Ready Sword was used around the 16thnarrow, and gradually gets wider until the end of
and 20th Centuries. This was before the US andthe blade, almost like the shape of a Trapezoid.
Spain Colonized this area. The Kampilan has aYou can usually see holes in these blades around
tapered blade that is much broader, and the pointthe tip that are occasionally made with brass.
on this weapon is thinner than it is at the base.Some offer engravings that span the entire length
One unique feature of the Kampilan is that youof the blade. This sword is made to be used with
will see a protruding spikelet toward the tip of thetwo hands, although some do use it with just one
blade at the spine. It also has a hilt that ishand. Sometimes practitioners used a talismanic
bifurcated. This bifurcation is believed to representcloth at the hilt that was attached to their hand
the open mouth of a creature. One of the biggestto prevent this weapon from slipping.
idiosyncracies of this weapon is its large size. TheOccasionally a Chain Mail Covering was also
overall size of this Ancient Sword is about 36 toattached to the hilt as to prevent any injuries to
40 inches long, and is the largest Filipino Sword wethe hands. The Cross Guard that was located
know of. However note that there are also smallabove the grip usually had Large Metal Staples
Kampilans that are out there as well.that stuck out from it. Cheap versions were
The only other Philippine Weapon we know ofmade form Hard Wood, but more pricey versions
that is as long as the Kampilan would be thewere made of ivory or bone.