Object
The object is a katar weapon from the Oriental Museum collections. The katar is a type of push dagger from the Indian subcontinent. The weapon is characterized by its H-shaped horizontal hand grip which results in the blade sitting above the user’s knuckles. Ceremonial katars were also used in worship.
Typically, katars were used in close range hand-to-hand combat, which is effective in armour piercing. The blade was often folded or corrugated for additional strength. Some knives have a mechanism responsible for making the blades split. This happens when the user pulls the hand grips together. In this variety of katar, two hand grips are used, so that the mechanism can be activated. This feature was often used to inflict a greater damage to the enemy, having the blades splitting inside of them and slashing their insides.
Condition
- Signs of dust and dirt on the surface
- Evidence of iron corrosion on the surface
- The mechanism appeared stiff.
Conservation
The katar was initially surface cleaned using cotton wool swabs with ethanol in order to remove the surface dust and dirt. This allowed for a more accurate assessment of the areas of iron corrosion on the surface.
Following this the iron corrosion was removed using 0000 grade wire wool swabs and 3-in-1 oil. This was abrasive enough to remove the iron corrosion, but the oil ensured the wire wool would not scratch the surface of the metal. Any areas of iron corrosion which could not be initially removed using the wire wool swabs and 3-in-1 oil were removed carefully using the tip of a scalpel. This treatment also allowed soil to seep into the mechanism which helped to loosen it.
Once the corrosion had been removed the katar was cleaned using cotton wool swabs with ethanol. This removed the remaining oil on the surface of the katar, as well as that which had seeped into the mechanism. It also ensured any surfaace dirt and corrosion particles were removed safely. The katar was then degreased using cotton wool swabs with acetone.
In order to help protect the surface and interior mechanism from future corrosion and deterioration the katar was coated using microcrystalline wax. The surface of the katar was heated using a hot air blower, and the wax was applied using a soft, microfibre cloth. Once the surface had cooled, allowing the wax time to bond with the metal, it was buffed using a separate microfibre cloth in order to create a natural surface shine.