Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Keris Warung Kopi

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 1st July 2013, 12:08 PM   #1
stekemest
Member
 
stekemest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
Posts: 182
Default 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
stekemest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1st July 2013, 02:34 PM   #2
Rick
Vikingsword Staff
 
Rick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,258
Default

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 .
Rick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1st July 2013, 03:50 PM   #3
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,408
Default

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
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1st July 2013, 10:38 PM   #4
David
Keris forum moderator
 
David's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,012
Default

I wouldn't go around licking the blades, but yes, they are safe AFAIK.
David is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th July 2013, 01:45 PM   #5
Marcokeris
Member
 
Marcokeris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Italy
Posts: 928
Default

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
Marcokeris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th July 2013, 01:50 PM   #6
A. G. Maisey
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,675
Default

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.
A. G. Maisey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th July 2013, 02:19 PM   #7
Marcokeris
Member
 
Marcokeris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Italy
Posts: 928
Default

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
Marcokeris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th July 2013, 10:58 PM   #8
Maurice
Member
 
Maurice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,324
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by David
I wouldn't go around licking the blades, but yes, they are safe AFAIK.
Oh my, I better stop licking my blades from now on ......
Maurice is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.