Brass Dagger

Battara · 29th November 2006, 05:25 PM

Red brass still looks a little more yellow than copper and not as red. However, without the comparison, it is difficult. Most likely I would suspect red brass because it would be stiffer and would hold up much better than copper (a very soft material in comparison).

Rick · 29th November 2006, 07:15 PM

If I recall from reading Toer's works there is an associated purpose for a non ferrous blade in Jawa at least; this is more a Magik kind of attribute though.

There was a scene in one of the books where a person was assasinated in the street with a (brass/copper?) knife (not a keris) .

Robert · 29th November 2006, 09:11 PM

Battara and Rick,
Thank you for your interest and comments. I have compared the blade to a piece of red brass and an old piece of copper and the blade looks most likely to be made of copper. This seems to be a strange combination of materials to make a dagger from unless steel was at a premium or not available at the time it was made.

If it stops raining for a few minutes I will take new pictures. Should the brass and copper be polished or just cleaned with ren wax and a soft cloth?

Robert

Rick · 29th November 2006, 10:43 PM

I like it in patina myself.
This piece is most likely NOT made for want of steel.
In my opinion it has a specific purpose.

Copper can be work hardened cold.

Robert · 29th November 2006, 11:41 PM

Rick,
Do you have an idea of what the specific purpose for this would have been? If you do please let me know as I am trying to find out as much as I can about this very interesting piece. I thank you again for your help.

Robert

Rick · 30th November 2006, 01:44 AM

IIRC some Indo/Malay cultures believe that a wound made with a Copper blade is invariably fatal.

Toer mentions this in the Buru Quartet , again IIRC.

Try a Google ; YMMV.

Robert · 30th November 2006, 02:46 AM

Rick,
Thank you again for the information. Not trying to sound too stupid but what do IIRC and YMMV mean?

Robert

Battara · 1st December 2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

IIRC some Indo/Malay cultures believe that a wound made with a Copper blade is invariably fatal.

I have heard this before. Some of this I can attribute to the oxidation of copper which is fatal, a copper oxide poisoning (thus tin was added to the bottom of copper pots).

Any other purpose -

If you find anything else please post, I am not aware of any Filipino reason for a copper blade.

not2sharp · 3rd December 2006, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

IIRC some Indo/Malay cultures believe that a wound made with a Copper blade is invariably fatal.

Toer mentions this in the Buru Quartet , again IIRC.

Try a Google ; YMMV.

Then again; perhaps the locals were tempted by the mass availability of brass (spent shell casings) abandon all over the place after WWII.

n2s

30th November 2006, 01:44 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,402	For What It's Worth IIRC some Indo/Malay cultures believe that a wound made with a Copper blade is invariably fatal. Toer mentions this in the Buru Quartet , again IIRC. Try a Google ; YMMV.

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29th November 2006, 05:25 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,375	Red brass still looks a little more yellow than copper and not as red. However, without the comparison, it is difficult. Most likely I would suspect red brass because it would be stiffer and would hold up much better than copper (a very soft material in comparison).

29th November 2006, 07:15 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,402	If I recall from reading Toer's works there is an associated purpose for a non ferrous blade in Jawa at least; this is more a Magik kind of attribute though. There was a scene in one of the books where a person was assasinated in the street with a (brass/copper?) knife (not a keris) .

29th November 2006, 09:11 PM	#3
Robert (deceased) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Battara and Rick, Thank you for your interest and comments. I have compared the blade to a piece of red brass and an old piece of copper and the blade looks most likely to be made of copper. This seems to be a strange combination of materials to make a dagger from unless steel was at a premium or not available at the time it was made. If it stops raining for a few minutes I will take new pictures. Should the brass and copper be polished or just cleaned with ren wax and a soft cloth? Robert

29th November 2006, 10:43 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,402	I like it in patina myself. This piece is most likely NOT made for want of steel. In my opinion it has a specific purpose. Copper can be work hardened cold.

29th November 2006, 11:41 PM	#5
Robert (deceased) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Rick, Do you have an idea of what the specific purpose for this would have been? If you do please let me know as I am trying to find out as much as I can about this very interesting piece. I thank you again for your help. Robert

30th November 2006, 02:46 AM	#7
Robert (deceased) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Rick, Thank you again for the information. Not trying to sound too stupid but what do IIRC and YMMV mean? Robert