A south Indian katar

Jens Nordlunde · 13th February 2007, 04:01 PM

Thank you Katana,

When I examine the wheels closely, some of the wheels will never turn, as they seem to be almost welded together with the cross bars, but I will try with some WD40 and see what happens. On the left picture you can see that it is the two wheels to the right, which can turn. Before I got it, someone had treated the blade with acid, probably due to heavy rust; fortunately the hilt was spared, as it took me endless hours before I had removed the dull grey colour, left from the acid, on the blade.

Jens

Dmitry · 4th July 2011, 05:52 AM

A wonderful piece, a feast for the eyes, really!
How did you remove the dull gray etch color from the blade?

Jens Nordlunde · 4th July 2011, 02:06 PM

Dmitry,
You take some fine to very fine grinding paper, a little oil. This together with many hours should do the job

.
Jens

Battara · 4th July 2011, 03:11 PM

I'm not usually into South Indian katars, but this one I like.

Jim McDougall · 4th July 2011, 03:14 PM

Another great memory ! I guess this is another illustration of how important cleaning and restoration tips are here. In rereading this thread it reminds me that while I thought we were trying to learn about the history of the weapon, we were simply learning more on how to clean it.
Absolutely fascinating.

Battara · 4th July 2011, 04:28 PM

Jim I guess for me there is a difference between cleaning and leaving some patina, between bringing a piece back to life and over cleaning it within an inch of it's life. How much cleaning is the issue.

Jim McDougall · 4th July 2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Jim I guess for me there is a difference between cleaning and leaving some patina, between bringing a piece back to life and over cleaning it within an inch of it's life. How much cleaning is the issue.

100% with you on that Jose!!! Well said. I think that is presently being well discussed on the thread about restorations. What I am wondering is why this thread ended without a single word about the decoration and motif or history of this weapon beyond my usual ramblings. Naturally I'm glad to see extra attention given to preserving the weapon itself, my main issue is that its very history should be afforded equal attention.
Thank you for answering me, and well made point.

All the best,
Jim

archer · 5th July 2011, 12:42 AM

Jens, The fish are beautifully carved. The fact their eyes are on the same side of their heads is normal for flat/ bottom fish such as Halibut. Does it have meaning to the Hindu/ Indian cultures? This by far, the best quality chiseling on a katar.

Steve

5th July 2011, 12:42 AM	#8
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Fish Jens, The fish are beautifully carved. The fact their eyes are on the same side of their heads is normal for flat/ bottom fish such as Halibut. Does it have meaning to the Hindu/ Indian cultures? This by far, the best quality chiseling on a katar. Steve

13th February 2007, 04:01 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Thank you Katana, When I examine the wheels closely, some of the wheels will never turn, as they seem to be almost welded together with the cross bars, but I will try with some WD40 and see what happens. On the left picture you can see that it is the two wheels to the right, which can turn. Before I got it, someone had treated the blade with acid, probably due to heavy rust; fortunately the hilt was spared, as it took me endless hours before I had removed the dull grey colour, left from the acid, on the blade. Jens

4th July 2011, 05:52 AM	#2
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	A wonderful piece, a feast for the eyes, really! How did you remove the dull gray etch color from the blade?

4th July 2011, 02:06 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Dmitry, You take some fine to very fine grinding paper, a little oil. This together with many hours should do the job . Jens

4th July 2011, 03:11 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I'm not usually into South Indian katars, but this one I like.

4th July 2011, 03:14 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,284	Another great memory ! I guess this is another illustration of how important cleaning and restoration tips are here. In rereading this thread it reminds me that while I thought we were trying to learn about the history of the weapon, we were simply learning more on how to clean it. Absolutely fascinating.

4th July 2011, 04:28 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Jim I guess for me there is a difference between cleaning and leaving some patina, between bringing a piece back to life and over cleaning it within an inch of it's life. How much cleaning is the issue.