Sword Collector Information Page

Katar is the oldest and most charcteristic of the Indian knife weapons. The perculiarity lies in the handle which is made upof two parallel bars connected by two, or more, cross pieces, one of which is at the end of the side bars and is fastened to the blade.The remainder forms the hadle which is at right angle to the blade. The blades are always double-edged and are generally straight and with lenghts from a few inches to about 3 feet. The blades of southern India are often made broad at the hilt and taper in straight lines to the point, and elaborately ribbed by grooves parallel to the edges. European blades of the 16th and 17th centuries were often used, especially by the Mahrattas and were always riveted to projections from the hilt. Katars with native blades are often thickened at the point to strenghten them for use against mail and are often forged in one piece with the hilt. The blades are sometimes forked at the point, and katars with two, and even three blades occor. The Indian armorers occasionally made katars that were hollow and served as a sheaths for smaller ones: or with three blades that folded together, appearing to be one, until the handle bars were pressed together, when they opened out. Mnay katars have guards for the back of the hand made with solid plates but many are elaborately pierced. Among the Mahrattas the gauntlet sword, called pata, was evolved from the katar. The katar is a purely Hindu weapon and is never found outside of India.

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Indian Katar with native blade for use against chain mail, circa 1650

Folding or seizers Katar which opens up into three blades, 19th century

Katar from Tanjore with hand guard and early European blade, circa 1650

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