Jamdhar Katar

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by gp

Questian I have looking at the hilt / grip:

must this not be an awfull combat weapon ….?
Holding it tight, certainly no pleasure in the palm of your hand and for a longer period of close combat quite painful and not safeguarding the tight grip one should need ….

As with many ethnographic edged weapons, especially more modern examples following traditional style, are not for combat, but more accoutrements for wear and certain cultural aspects such as ceremony or ritual. As Christopher Spring ("African Arms and Armor") once noted as writing on African 'throwing knives', there is often a 'western' need to explain how weapons were actually used, where many of these with unusual designs were indeed not for use in combat, but symbolic in their tribal culture.

Pragmatically though, these observations are indeed well placed.

[Rick]

We should remember that when aluminum was first discovered in the mid 19th century it was considered a precious metal. This Jamdhar katar may be older than you think.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Rick

We should remember that when aluminum was first discovered in the mid 19th century it was considered a precious metal. This Jamdhar katar may be older than you think.

Thats a very good point Rick! had not thought of that. I am always surprised at some of the materials used on weapons which I had thought of as 'modern'.

[BBJW]

Originally Posted by Rick

We should remember that when aluminum was first discovered in the mid 19th century it was considered a precious metal. This Jamdhar katar may be older than you think.

Or newer?-- bbjw

[corrado26]

at the beginning of the use of aluminium around 1850 it was considered more expensive than gold. So it might be possible that this piece is that old in particular because its blade and grip are made of the same material in oder to demonstrate one's wealth

[gp]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

As with many ethnographic edged weapons, especially more modern examples following traditional style, are not for combat, but more accoutrements for wear and certain cultural aspects such as ceremony or ritual. As Christopher Spring ("African Arms and Armor") once noted as writing on African 'throwing knives', there is often a 'western' need to explain how weapons were actually used, where many of these with unusual designs were indeed not for use in combat, but symbolic in their tribal culture.

Pragmatically though, these observations are indeed well placed.

thank you very much for your explanation: highly appreciated !

[Jim McDougall]

My pleasure GP, thank you for posting it and the opportunity to revisit these as researched and discussed some years back.
Its always great that these kinds of discussions bring up important new considerations with this example and use of aluminum in earlier period. That is truly an angle not thought of, that it was almost a precious metal, and as such a show of wealth and power among tribal peoples. Thanks again Rick and Udo for those insights!