Unusual Lumad Sword

zamboanga · 23rd October 2005, 05:01 AM

Just sharing this quite unusual sword. The owner says it is a lumad sword.
Made of brass with MOP on the handle and scabbard. blade length is about 15" and is very thick (a tad under 1/2"). it is quite heavy too, almost a kilo in weight without the scabbard. Of course, being made of brass the edge is not that sharp.

tom hyle · 23rd October 2005, 07:34 PM

cuprous daggers from PI seem to turn up from time to time. There is a native tradition that copper is poisonous (which I hear has some, though I'm not sure how much, basis in fact), which may have some bearing. Is that a "scale" type handle?

Justin · 23rd October 2005, 07:49 PM

Tom:

I think Ive also heard that copper is poisonous but copper ore often times contains quite a bit of arsenic.

tom hyle · 23rd October 2005, 08:11 PM

Yeah, I think the speculation I've heard has run in that direction, too. That's how they know the "Ice Man" was a copper-worker; he also contained some arsenic

Battara · 24th October 2005, 08:56 AM

What is also not healthy is the oxide that develops when copper is exposed, that green-blue stuff. Thus the tinning of copper pots and cups.

BSMStar · 25th October 2005, 09:13 PM

You are quite right Battara....

Metallic copper is not toxic, but the oxides or salts of copper are (just like lead). I would not suck on a real old penny.

I would not think there would be enough arsenic left in metallic copper after smelting to be a problem... more likely it would have to be added to the surface of the copper, to be toxic. But who would want to handle a sword like that?

Well you see Officer, my wife was sharpening my sword when...

23rd October 2005, 05:01 AM	#1
zamboanga Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: zamboanga city, philippines Posts: 132	Unusual Lumad Sword Just sharing this quite unusual sword. The owner says it is a lumad sword. Made of brass with MOP on the handle and scabbard. blade length is about 15" and is very thick (a tad under 1/2"). it is quite heavy too, almost a kilo in weight without the scabbard. Of course, being made of brass the edge is not that sharp. Attached Images

23rd October 2005, 07:34 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	cuprous daggers from PI seem to turn up from time to time. There is a native tradition that copper is poisonous (which I hear has some, though I'm not sure how much, basis in fact), which may have some bearing. Is that a "scale" type handle?

23rd October 2005, 07:49 PM	#3
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 182	Tom: I think Ive also heard that copper is poisonous but copper ore often times contains quite a bit of arsenic.

23rd October 2005, 08:11 PM	#4
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Yeah, I think the speculation I've heard has run in that direction, too. That's how they know the "Ice Man" was a copper-worker; he also contained some arsenic

24th October 2005, 08:56 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	What is also not healthy is the oxide that develops when copper is exposed, that green-blue stuff. Thus the tinning of copper pots and cups.

25th October 2005, 09:13 PM	#6
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	You are quite right Battara.... Metallic copper is not toxic, but the oxides or salts of copper are (just like lead). I would not suck on a real old penny. I would not think there would be enough arsenic left in metallic copper after smelting to be a problem... more likely it would have to be added to the surface of the copper, to be toxic. But who would want to handle a sword like that? Well you see Officer, my wife was sharpening my sword when...