Copper Bladed Mak

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Rick

It might be that in Thailand copper is considered an especially deadly or spiritually signifigant metal .

In Toer's Buru Quartet series written about colonial Jawa there is an asassination done with a non ferrous blade because of its supposed superior deadly properties .

Something's definitely "up" with this one, Rick. In my research, I have yet to come accross anything specifically relating to any special properties assigned to copper in Continental SEA. Copper use does have a long history in the region, and it's frequently seen as decoration on weapons, but this is the first such weapon I've personally seen or handled.

Maybe PUFF can help us out here?


EDIT: I do recall reading somewhere (Philip Tom article, perhaps) that some Vietnamese parade weapons were made with copper blades. Non-ancient copper weapons are, in my limited experience, rare, particularly in regions with better weapon-making materials and technology available.