Arsenic salts on indonesian blades

stekemest · 1st July 2013, 01:08 PM

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

Rick · 1st July 2013, 03:34 PM

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 .

Sajen · 1st July 2013, 04:50 PM

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

David · 1st July 2013, 11:38 PM

I wouldn't go around licking the blades, but yes, they are safe AFAIK.

Marcokeris · 4th July 2013, 02:45 PM

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

A. G. Maisey · 4th July 2013, 02:50 PM

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.

Maurice · 4th July 2013, 11:58 PM

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 ......

1st July 2013, 01:08 PM	#1
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	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

1st July 2013, 03:34 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	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 .

1st July 2013, 04:50 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	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

1st July 2013, 11:38 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	I wouldn't go around licking the blades, but yes, they are safe AFAIK.

4th July 2013, 02:45 PM	#5
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	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

4th July 2013, 02:50 PM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	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.