Bat'leth
The Bat'leth, or Sword of Honor, is a traditional Klingon blade weapon.
In the Klingon language, the bat'leth is properly referred to as the batlh'etlh, also shortened to betleH. Resembling a crescent-shaped, two-ended scimitar, the bat'leth is wielded using three handholds along the outside edge of the blade. It is widely considered the most popular weapon among Klingon warriors. Later, a smaller version was created, named the mek'leth.
A traditional bat'leth is typically approximately 116 centimeters long, with blades of composite baakonite, weighs about 5.3 kilograms (11.68 pounds), and has an exterior hand grip diameter of 5 centimeters. They are often used in traditional Klingon rituals, such as duels and blood oaths.
Klingons often own bat'leths that have been in their family for generations.
The Sword of Kahless
According to Klingon mythology, the first bat'leth was forged by Kahless the Unforgettable in the 9th century. Kahless cut a lock of his hair and dropped it into the lava of the Kri'stak volcano, then plunged the burning lock into the Lake of Lusor and twisted it into a blade. After forging the weapon, he used it to fight the tyrant Molor, and then gave it its name. This story was not recorded in public texts, but was passed down verbally by the Klingon clerics as a test of Kahless' return.
The Sword of Kahless was preserved by the Klingons following Kahless' death, until it was stolen by the Hur'q when they plundered Qo'noS about 500 years after his death.
