Another wootz katar
 

Just picked this up for a real good price. On the higher res pics I spotted the wootz patterning on the blade. Unfortunately I can only post lower res pics with my iPad. Tomorrow I will try to adjust the contrast and sharpness to show the wootz pattern.

A nice piece, that's something I'd like for my collection!

Looking forward to any photos you can post showing the wootz pattern.

I edited my original post. You can see the wootz pattern on the lower half of the katar blade.

I love that you're measuring it with a steel rule made in India. Nice touch. :)

That's the sellers ruler ;).

Hi All

The katar just arrived and yes it is wootz. I oiled and it exhibits a medium contrast finely patterned matrix in the steel. :D I have seen quite a few of this particular patterned style katar of late. Just wondering which region or armoury these originated from?

A lot were apparently coming out of an armoury in Rajasthan a few years back.
I had a couple myself.

Hi Lew,
If I see the distance between the two side guards correctly, it seems to me to be just under 6 cm - and that is not very much, as the distance on most katars is about 7 cm. A difference of 1 cm is quite a lot when it comes to the width of the hand. I am wondering if it was 'tailor' made for someone young, or with a very slim hand. Nice katar.
Jens

Hi Jens

You are correct the side bars are are narrow. I to thought this katar was made for a young boy or a teenager compared to the others in my collection.

If past is the prologue, we shall soon see those on E-bay: " Antique, Indo-Persian, Mughal 18-19th century wootz blade with koftgari"

That's a sweet katar Lew. Congrats!
Steve

Ariel

It seems of late that I am seeing more of these so called antique Indo Persian daggers on eBay but at least I know how to spot the real ones. It seems to have become quite a cottage industry over there :shrug:. There is a saying "An educated consumer is our best bet" ;)

Yet another katar
 

Just picked one upon eBay seems to be from the same armory very similar look to the previous one posted above.

very nice katar, congratulations

The new addition just arrived. I gave it a light etch and it's made from wootz also :) as you can see it has the narrow profile hand guards as the last one. Probably came from the same armory. The new one at the bottom is quite fresh with no loss due to resharpening. Jens these warriors must have been small since I now have similar size pieces from the same shop :) :shrug:

Lew, the question you raise is interesting, but I am, unfortunately, unable to answer it.
The 'normal' distance of seven cm between the side guards is due to the finer bone structure of the Indians, compared to the Europeans, but here the distance is about six cm, and on two katars alike.
Does anyone else have katars like ythe ones Lew shows, and if yes, what is the distance between the side guards?
Jens

Hi Lew!

I don't have a lot to contribute with as to the academical discussion of your katars, I just wanted to say nice scores! :)

Did you do any polishing before etching the wootz? If so, could you briefly summarize how?

- enjoy them in good health!


Cordially, - Thor

Yes I cleaned it lightly with 0000 steel wool and gave the bottom a light etch with very diluted ferric chloride. Then I gave it a light coat of mineral oil. The wootz pattern on the bottom one is harder to see when compared with top one probably due to the fact that I tried to maintain the original patina basically it still has the factory finish ;).