Is there any validity to the metal inlays being able to cause harm to said evil spirits? ('Validity' in terms of intent of purpose in the culture, of course, and not actual ghost-busting
). As I was told, it was the case that steel or iron would not harm an evil spirit and would simply go though it, but brass or copper or bronze would harm one as badly as a blade would harm the living.
I'm not sure how valid a statement that was, though. this was information passed onto me anecdotally via a relative and not though any sort of quotable/referencable text. Are there any cultures that beleve these metals inlaid in a blade can not only ward off evil spirits, but actually cause them harm if used in defense?