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Katars- tiger knives[hunting knives]
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![Katars- tiger knives[hunting knives]](http://image.ec21.com/image/arms/oimg_GC00000662/Katars-_tiger_knives_hunting_knives_.jpg)
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Indian thrusting dagger. Thickened tip and strong central rib for punching holes in light mail.used by the maharajas[kings]when hunting for tigers.
Coutar, Katha, Koutha, Kutha, Kutar
Armor piercing Dagger
The oldest and most characteristic of Indian knives. The pectiliarity lies in the handle which is made up of two parallel bars connected by two, or more, crosspieces, one of which is at the end of the side bars and is fastened to the blade. The Katar is wraped to the hand to optimize the grip. The blades are aIways double-edged and generally straight, but occasionally curved. They are of all lengths from a few inches to about three feet. European blades of the 16th and 17th centuries were often used, especially by the Mahrattas. Katars with original blades are often thickened at the point to strengthen them for use against armor. When European blades are used they are always riveted to projections from the hilt. The native blades are often forged in one piece with it. The blades are sometimes forked at the point, and even three blades occur. The Indian armorers occasionally made Katars that were hollow and served as sheaths for smaller ones; or with three blades that folded together, appearing to be one, until handle bars were pressed together, when they opened out.
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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