A Unique Kattar?

Jens Nordlunde · 15th October 2007, 09:50 PM

Tom, thanks for the very good pictures. I now see what you mean about the little holes, but to my opinion they are there for decoration. Have a look at the hilt, it is worn, but by soft hands – how many years do you think this would have taken?

Have a look at the langet, it is even worn more, but this time from a wooden scabbard. Then have a look at the decoration of the blade, why would this decoration not have been worn from the in and out of the wooden scabbard? It should have been, but it is not, on the contrary it seems to be rather crisp. So like Rand suggests, have a look under the langet, you may find the answer there.

Once again, I agree with Rand, the hilt is older than the blade.

I would, but let me stress, that this is my opinion, clean the holes - carefully.

Tomb22 · 15th October 2007, 10:25 PM

Thanks Robert. I am always amazed at the ingenuity of us humans. Especially when it comes to mechanical things. I am a word guy, and just marvel at what folks with mechanical skills, brains, and creativity can do.

Jens, Good point. I agree with both you and Rand. It seems clear when you are looking for it, the differences between the hilt and the blade. So that seems to be the start of two searches. One related to the blade and one related to the hilt. There are so many aspects to this historical searching.

I will very carefully start to clean the holes. After that, what is the best to take off the rust on the blade? And then, do you "oil" it? I think I remember from another post your suggestion for car wax on the blade. Is that correct?

So, I don't keep "pestering" you with these maintenance questions, there might be threads related to cleaning and maintaining these great artifacts.

Tom

Jens Nordlunde · 16th October 2007, 03:44 PM

Tom, you should remove the rust, but for the rest you should rather clean it too little than too much, as you can always clean it a little more, but if you have gone too far you can’t go back.

I use to clean the weapon with acetone so there is no oil left, rub it with solid car wax and polish it a bit, this will protect it from fingerprints an damp.

When it comes to the Indian way of enamelling, make a search for ‘Enamelling’.

15th October 2007, 09:50 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Tom, thanks for the very good pictures. I now see what you mean about the little holes, but to my opinion they are there for decoration. Have a look at the hilt, it is worn, but by soft hands – how many years do you think this would have taken? Have a look at the langet, it is even worn more, but this time from a wooden scabbard. Then have a look at the decoration of the blade, why would this decoration not have been worn from the in and out of the wooden scabbard? It should have been, but it is not, on the contrary it seems to be rather crisp. So like Rand suggests, have a look under the langet, you may find the answer there. Once again, I agree with Rand, the hilt is older than the blade. I would, but let me stress, that this is my opinion, clean the holes - carefully.

15th October 2007, 10:25 PM	#2
Tomb22 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 17	Thanks Robert. I am always amazed at the ingenuity of us humans. Especially when it comes to mechanical things. I am a word guy, and just marvel at what folks with mechanical skills, brains, and creativity can do. Jens, Good point. I agree with both you and Rand. It seems clear when you are looking for it, the differences between the hilt and the blade. So that seems to be the start of two searches. One related to the blade and one related to the hilt. There are so many aspects to this historical searching. I will very carefully start to clean the holes. After that, what is the best to take off the rust on the blade? And then, do you "oil" it? I think I remember from another post your suggestion for car wax on the blade. Is that correct? So, I don't keep "pestering" you with these maintenance questions, there might be threads related to cleaning and maintaining these great artifacts. Tom

16th October 2007, 03:44 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Tom, you should remove the rust, but for the rest you should rather clean it too little than too much, as you can always clean it a little more, but if you have gone too far you can’t go back. I use to clean the weapon with acetone so there is no oil left, rub it with solid car wax and polish it a bit, this will protect it from fingerprints an damp. When it comes to the Indian way of enamelling, make a search for ‘Enamelling’.