Katars. A better look. Pix.

View


Here is a better look at a couple of katars. The two fat bladed khukuris look like our Salyan except for the handle.

My notes say, "Personal weapons of Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana (1817-1877AD.)" J. B. Rana, as I recall, was prime minister of Nepal at the time of the Indian mutiny. He served as commander-in-chief of a force of 6,000 Gorkhas and took to the field during the siege of Lucknow. He is one of the great heroes of the Gorkhas and Nepal. Here are a couple of pix of him.

View


------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Nice pic of the katars. Try to find the Scissors pic, there interesting too, though I don't think they were actually used.

BTW, there is a theory about why some swords would have a real huge forward curve beyond that of a khukri; to go around a person's shield. Mind you there are some North African swords that apply this theory and it might not be universal.
 
D

Dave K

Joined
Jul 5, 1999
Messages
933
I like those little stilettos.

Do you know what they are called, Uncle?

Do the kamis know how to make them?

I would love to get my hands on one of those if we could find enough takers...

-Dave

------------------
Look at my best friend's (non-for-profit) beer page! Bierland.com
 
Thanks for posting the pics. Smoke, how are the sheaths worn? I've never seen one. Also, there's a Hung Gar weapon called a tiger head sheild thats similar to the katar. These were worn over the forearm and hand. If you like katars you might want to check these out. Was the katar you described on the small side? It seems like it's smaller than the other ones I've ever seen.

So Uncle Bill say's that we would need five takers to make this idea of getting Katars made a go. Come on forumites just think of how nice of a mantle piece you could make w/ two crossed katars, or how intimidating you would be! Khukurie in one hand, katar in the other! I was thinking that a heavier model than what is shown would be good. Definately w/ a larger handle and gaurd. Is there any reason that the grip is made from metel? I don't know about anyone else, but being a suffer of sweaty palm disease I can't seem to hold on to any kind of metel grip. Wood, horn and bone are a little better though.


[This message has been edited by Vampire Hunter D (edited 30 November 1999).]
 
Smaller than I thought...

I just love that design. I wonder if they traditionally had a wide range of sizes like the khukuris do.

With a 12" to 18" blade at the end of the same teeny little handle, it'd be a great little dirk!

Does anyone else want one, or do I have to order five for myself?
wink.gif


-Dave

------------------
Look at my best friend's (non-for-profit) beer page! Bierland.com
 
Vamp Hunter, I think it's cross draw. The sheaths I've seen are rather ornate, multicolored, a true contrast. I've seen both types and sizes as shown in the pic and a glimpse of the Cobra guard.

The thin knives seem to be the khyber type knives we see in catalogs.

The katar handle is thin, I know what you mean by sweaty hands. Think thin but solid. However, you can 'cheat' by purchasing one with a tight guard bars. Beware, heavy is not the key with the katar, balance and alignment of thrust is. The khukri is the cutter. Also, the katar can be a weapon of ambush, it's not about battlefield combat or heavy chopping, that's what the kukri, talwar, blunderbuss type rifle are for.

I haven't seen the Hung Gar tiger shield, the fork yes.
 
Waitasec...in the top picture, look at the triggerguard of that rifle. Tell me that isn't a levergun repeater!

That's one VERY high-tech piece for 1877 in NEPAL, no? For it's day, that was one kick-butt shooter and isn't a slouch even now.

Jim
 
How we all doing? Katars!!! Looks interesting...
So do we have numbers for the Katars. I'm very interested. Any idea of price, size, & weight of the Katars?

Damian T

" May the reality of your dreams wake you "

[This message has been edited by Damian T (edited 30 November 1999).]
 
I completly agree smoke. The first time I really looked at one I saw immeadiatly that it was a more balenced weapon for thrusting. Thats why I want it, ambush and thrusting weapons are the best and safest way to slay a leech! I don't belive that I made myself clear enough, when I said heavier i was thinking more along the lines of the gaurd. I would like thicker guard bars, maybe even the Cobra's hood gaurd. If it's what I'm thinking of I've seen it before and it's truly an awsome design. For some reason a leg sheath seem's like it would work well. You know along the thigh, same hand, same leg deal. What do you think. If Damian is really interested that makes three katars, two being for me of course. Maybe we should start laying down some specifics, like price and size, and design.

- D

------------------
Where the lion's skin will not reach, you must patch it out with the fox's.
 
I don't usually like to order things before I see what the kamis come up with, but I'll go for a katar too.

That makes four. Who will order the crucial number five?

Also, does anyone else want one of them little stilettos or am I _really_ going to have to order five of them?

------------------
Look at my best friend's (non-for-profit) beer page! Bierland.com
 
What I always heard was the katar was used to penatrate chainmail. If I remember right the long skinny blade is called a kinjal I may be wrong, please correct me if I am.
 
Ice, you're right about both. I forgot they were called Kindjals.

Man, if I wasn't getting another Busse I'd get a katar. Oh well.
 
Alright! Only one more needs to be ordered. After we all get them I'll have to show everyone the best way to slay Vamps!
smile.gif
The more I look at those stilletos the more they look good, if only they were a little better looking..... I can't help it, my weapons have to look good and be functional. I anxiously await the fifth taker. So Uncle Bill, can you make a guess on some specs?

- D


------------------
Where the lion's skin will not reach, you must patch it out with the fox's.
 
It's a very nice pic, thanx Uncle Bill! I'm really interested, but any dagger with 6" plus blade is illegal here in Japan.

What I've heard about Katar is, it was for left (or weaker) hand to do the job for a shield, but in more offensive way. It can not guard the enemy's sword, but it can parry it and can stab. And by another story, there used to be a type of Katar that can unfold its blade into three (main in the center and two smaller right and left) to make easy trapping the enemy's sword. The unfolding is done by squeezing the grip.
I haven't seen any pix but think it's possible.
Please correct me if I'm wrong. Hope you enjoy the idea of Katar that blooms.

------------------
\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
I am partial to the one on the right. Anybody else like the other one better?

I can't remember the overall length of this katar but I am guessing it is about 14 inches.

What we will do is send Bura and Gelbu to the National Museum with sketchpad and good observation and try to duplicate the katar as shown. This is the safest and best method, I think.

We'll order the five pieces and if you get any late comers we can add to the order.

I am going to price this (guessing) at $175. If we can do it cheaper I'll adjust the price. First run will stay at a guaranteed price of $175.

Don't look for it until February or March and be prepared for a couple of surprises.

I'll email to order for five today. Anybody else sign on ASAP.

This should be interesting at least.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
W.F., I too have heard of a "splitting katar", but the only place that I've ever seen one is in a video game. If you want to see check out a game called Soul Edge for the Playstation. Also on a different note on an old thread that I saw everyone was talking about khukuries in movies and such. Well, yesterday I saw a khukurie being wielded on Johnny Quest!

- D

------------------
Where the lion's skin will not reach, you must patch it out with the fox's.

[This message has been edited by Vampire Hunter D (edited 01 December 1999).]
 
Hi, D

Somehow I feel familiar to your name. Is it by an inspiration from Kikuchi Hideyuku's novels?

Though a "splitting katar" can only be seen in games, I believe it was not necessarily from the game maker's imagination.

------------------
\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
W.F.,

When I was younger I had this facination over vampires, then when I was 13 or so I saw this anime movie that was originally based on comics and other books( I don't know the authors name) called Vampire Hunter D. Since then I have come to realize how true the "myth" of vampires is, and I was disgusted by it. So I adopted the name of my favorite slayer and here I am, the best hunter in the biz.
smile.gif
The game I was talking about is very true to life, it has many weapons in it that can be obtained as the character advances, and all of the weapons are taken right out of history. They were all commonly used weapons at one time.

- D

------------------
Where the lion's skin will not reach, you must patch it out with the fox's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top