Arsenic salts on indonesian blades
 

Hello everyone,

I have recently acquired three indonesian weapons, one keris and two spears. I know that kerises have usually been etched with arsenic (warangan). Now I would like to know if the arsenic salts on the surface of the blade still poses a threat to human health, and if this warangan was also used on spearheads.

Thank you for any answers.
Peter

I doubt the Warangan residue was more of a health threat to one wounded by a keris or spearhead than the bacteria hiding in the rough surfaces left by etching the weapon . ;) :)

Normally after warangan the blades get washed with water and soap and I doubt that there is any danger for human health when you get cut by a sharp blade. And yes, warangan was used by spearheads (tombak) as well.

Regards,

Detlef

I wouldn't go around licking the blades, but yes, they are safe AFAIK. :)

Last time i was in Yogya i was surprised that in the Market there was not orange/pink warangan but arsenic white dust. To my answer the seller told me that the warangan price was too hight so he changed with chimic arenic. At home i used it with nice exit :)

I have been using laboratory quality arsenic trioxide for a very long time, and it produces a beautiful result.

But it must be lab quality. The cheaper stuff---I think its called "commercial quality" --- can produce some very peculiar colours on a blade.

Of course i am not a good warangan user...but i must say that the Beringhario's seller (mr. Dullah) dad reason about the power of chimic white dust :)

Oh my, I better stop licking my blades from now on ...... :D