Brass Dagger

Robert · 29th November 2006, 04:56 AM

The dagger arrived today. I will try to post new pictures tomorrow. It is a very well made piece. The scabbard fittings are brass as well as the pommel, ferrell and cross-guard. The blade itself is either red brass or copper. Does anyone know of a simple way how to tell which metal it is?

Battara · 29th November 2006, 04:25 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, 06:15 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, 08:11 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, 09:43 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, 10:41 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, 12:44 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.

30th November 2006, 12:44 AM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	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.

29th November 2006, 04:56 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	The dagger arrived today. I will try to post new pictures tomorrow. It is a very well made piece. The scabbard fittings are brass as well as the pommel, ferrell and cross-guard. The blade itself is either red brass or copper. Does anyone know of a simple way how to tell which metal it is?

29th November 2006, 04:25 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	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, 06:15 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	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, 08:11 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff 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, 09:43 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	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, 10:41 PM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff 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