The bat'leth (
Klingon
The Klingons ( ; Klingon language, Klingon: ''tlhIngan'' ) are a humanoid species of aliens in the science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''.
Developed by screenwriter Gene L. Coon in 1967 for the Star Trek: The Original Series, original ''Star T ...
: , rough pronunciation: ; plural ,
) is a double-sided hybrid-edged weapon with a curved blade, four points, and three handholds on the back. It was designed and created by ''
Star Trek: The Next Generation'' visual effects producer
Dan Curry
Daniel Curry is a visual effects producer and supervisor, as well as a main title designer in the film and television industry.
Curry attended Middlebury College in Vermont and graduate school at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt ...
for the ''
Star Trek
''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the Star Trek: The Original Series, series of the same name and became a worldwide Popular culture, pop-culture Cultural influence of ...
'' franchise, where it is the characteristic close combat weapon of
Klingon
The Klingons ( ; Klingon language, Klingon: ''tlhIngan'' ) are a humanoid species of aliens in the science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''.
Developed by screenwriter Gene L. Coon in 1967 for the Star Trek: The Original Series, original ''Star T ...
s. Curry has called the bat'leth "one of the iconic images associated with the show."
It has spawned a smaller weapon, which became known as the mek'leth; in
Klingon
The Klingons ( ; Klingon language, Klingon: ''tlhIngan'' ) are a humanoid species of aliens in the science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''.
Developed by screenwriter Gene L. Coon in 1967 for the Star Trek: The Original Series, original ''Star T ...
, this is written . A third weapon, a kur'leth, was later designed by Dan Curry, for Season 3 of ''
Star Trek: Picard''.
Bat'leths have become an enduring symbol of the franchise among fans, and they are occasionally referenced in other media.
Description
A bat'leth is a curved blade approximately long, with two spiked protrusions at each end and three handholds along the back which can be used to twist and spin the blade rapidly.
Dan Curry created the bat'leth in 1990 for
Worf
Worf, son of Mogh is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, portrayed by actor Michael Dorn. He appears in the television series ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' (''TNG''), seasons four through seven of ''Star Trek: Deep Space ...
, the character played by
Michael Dorn
Michael Dorn (born December 9, 1952) is an American actor best known for his role as the Klingon character Worf in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, appearing in all seven seasons of the television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' (1987–1 ...
in ''
Star Trek: The Next Generation,''
after receiving approval from producer
Rick Berman
Richard Keith Berman (born December 25, 1945) is an American television producer and screenwriter. He is best known for his work as the executive producer of several of the ''Star Trek'' television series: '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', '' ...
. Curry based the bat'leth's design on the
Chinese fighting crescent.
A martial artist aside from his regular work as a visual-effects producer, Curry also developed a fighting style, based on a variety of different martial arts he learned during his time in Asia, for the use of the weapon.
[Poe]
p. 13
Mek'leth

In 1995, Curry developed a smaller version of the bat'leth, the mek'leth, whose design he based on that of a Northern Tibetan cavalry sword,
[ for Dorn to use when Dorn joined the cast, and Worf joined the crew, of '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.'' Mek'leths are intended for one-handed use and shaped like a ]scimitar
A scimitar ( or ) is a single-edged sword with a convex curved blade of about 75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 inches) associated with Middle Eastern, South Asian, or North African cultures. A European term, ''scimitar'' does not refer to one specific swor ...
; they are approximately half the length of the full-size bat'leth.["mekleth"]
''Star Trek Encyclopedia''.
Use in ''Star Trek''
In ''Star Trek'' lore, the Klingon Kahless
Kahless "The Unforgettable" is a fictional character from the ''Star Trek'' media franchise. He was displayed as a portrait in '' Star Trek: The Original Series'' by Robert Herron and in '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' by Kevin Conway; an ...
created the bat'leth around CE 625. According to Klingon mythology, he formed the blade by dropping a length of his hair into some lava from inside the Kri'stak Volcano, then cooling, shaping, and hardening it in the lake of Lursor. He then united Qo'noS
The Klingons ( ; Klingon: ''tlhIngan'' ) are a humanoid species of aliens in the science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''.
Developed by screenwriter Gene L. Coon in 1967 for the original ''Star Trek'' (''TOS'') series, Klingons were humanoids ...
, the Klingon homeworld, by killing a tyrant named Molor with the weapon, which became known as the Sword of Kahless. The sword was later stolen by a species called the Hur'q
Klingon culture is a set of customs and practices of Klingons depicted in the fictional ''Star Trek'' universe. The fictional Klingon society is based on Klingon traditions and conventions, as well as a constructed language named Klingon. Klingo ...
during their invasion of Qo'noS. In the ''Deep Space Nine'' episode "The Sword of Kahless
"The Sword of Kahless" is the 81st episode of the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', the ninth of the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 4, fourth season. It originally aired on November 20, 1995, in b ...
", Worf and another Klingon named Kor rediscover the artifact, but it is eventually transported
''Transported'' is an Australian convict melodrama film directed by W. J. Lincoln.
It is considered a lost film.
Plot
In England, Jessie Grey is about to marry Leonard Lincoln but the evil Harold Hawk tries to force her to marry him and she ...
into space to prevent them from using it to attack each other.[
] The Sword of Kahless differs from normal bat'leths as it has five points and one handhold compared to four points and three handholds.
In the Klingon language, the bat'leth was originally referred to as , then was shortened to . The word bat'leth itself means "sword of honor". Bat'leths are made of a reinforced metal called baakonite and are normally long and weigh .
The bat'leth appeared in 29 television episodes across the ''Star Trek'' franchise in ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', '' Star Trek: Voyager'', ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', and '' Star Trek: Enterprise'', and later appears in several episodes of '' Star Trek: Discovery''. The bat'leth was also used in the 1994 film ''Star Trek Generations
''Star Trek Generations'' is a 1994 American science fiction film and the seventh film in the Star Trek (film series), ''Star Trek'' film series. Malcolm McDowell joins cast members from the 1960s television show ''Star Trek: The Original Ser ...
''. The mek'leth appeared in the television series ''Deep Space Nine'' and in the 1996 film '' Star Trek: First Contact''.[ The Sword of Kahless appeared in the 2000 video game '' Star Trek: Armada'' and normal bat'leths appeared in the 1996 video game '' Star Trek: Klingon''. Some of the bat'leth's uses were in the debut episode " Reunion", where Worf teaches his son ]Alexander
Alexander () is a male name of Greek origin. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history.
Variants listed here ar ...
how to use one. Worf used a bat'leth to kill Durasa Klingon who killed Worf's mate K'Ehleyr.[
] Notable uses of the weapon occurred in the ''Voyager'' episode " Barge of the Dead"in which Tuvok
Tuvok is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise and a main character in the television series '' Star Trek: Voyager''. Tuvok is a Vulcan who serves as the ship's second officer, Chief of Security, and Chief Tactical Officer ...
uses a bat'leth to teach B'Elanna Torres
B'Elanna Torres is a main character in '' Star Trek: Voyager'' played by Roxann Dawson. She is portrayed as a half-human half-Klingon born in 2346 on the Federation colony Kessik IV.
In the series, Torres was admitted to Starfleet academy bu ...
about her Klingon heritage, and in the ''Deep Space Nine'' episode " Tacking into the Wind" in which Worf kills the leader of the Klingon High Council, Gowron
Gowron, son of M'Rel, is a fictional character who appeared in the American science fiction television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' and '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Portrayed by Robert O'Reilly, he is the leader of the Klingon ...
, in a bat'leth duel to give the Klingon Chancellorship to General Martok
Martok, son of Urthog is a recurring character in ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', played by actor J. G. Hertzler. Martok is a high-ranking Klingon leader at the Federation-Bajoran Deep Space Nine (fictional space station), space station in the l ...
.
Cultural legacy
The bat'leth is considered an iconic image of the ''Star Trek'' universe. Replicas are widespread and are considered collectibles by some and a part of Klingon costume. A number of outlets, including replica merchants, weapons dealers, and pawn shops sell them. Ronald D. Moore
Ronald Dowl Moore (born July 5, 1964) is an American screenwriter and television producer. He is best known for his work on ''Star Trek,'' as well as on the re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'' television series, for which he won a Peabody Awar ...
, who has worked on ''Star Trek'' and ''Battlestar Galactica
''Battlestar Galactica'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Glen A. Larson. It began with the original television series in 1978, and was followed by a short-run sequel series, '' Galactica 1980'', a line of book adaptat ...
'', displays one in his office. However, due to the dangers that real bat'leths can pose, no officially licensed replicas of the weapon are available from either Curry or Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...
.
The rise in the popularity of the bat'leth has led to the formation of martial arts teams aiming to develop a martial art distinct from the one Curry initially developed. Such teams have incorporated moves from ju-jitsu
Jujutsu ( , or ), also known as jiu-jitsu and ju-jitsu (both ), is a Japanese martial art and a system of close combat that can be used in a defensive or offensive manner to kill or subdue one or more weaponless or armed and armored opponent ...
, kendo
is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts, swordsmanship), that uses bamboo swords ( shinai) as well as protective armor ( bōgu). It began as samurai warriors' customary swordsmanship ex ...
, , and nunchaku
is a traditional East-Asian martial arts weapon consisting of two sticks (traditionally made of wood), connected to each other at their ends by a short metal chain or a rope. It is approximately (sticks) and (rope). A person who has pract ...
. Bat'leth competitions have been held at conventions such as MileHiCon
MileHiCon is an annual science fiction and fantasy convention held in Denver, Colorado in October. Although it has a primarily literary focus, it also has an art show, a vendors' room, Critter Crunch (similar to ''Robot Wars''), Critter Float- ...
and StarCon.
The bat'leth has appeared in television programs outside the ''Star Trek'' franchise. In 2002, it was seen in ''Stargate SG-1
''Stargate SG-1'' (often stylized in all caps, or abbreviated ''SG-1'') is a military science fiction Adventure fiction, adventure television series within Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Stargate, ''Stargate'' franchise. The show, created by Brad Wrig ...
'' episode "The Other Guys
''The Other Guys'' is a 2010 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Adam McKay, who co-wrote it with Chris Henchy. It stars Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg with Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Ray Stevenson, Samu ...
". In 2005, a bat'leth was in the background of the US detective series ''Monk
A monk (; from , ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery. A monk usually lives his life in prayer and contemplation. The concept is ancient and can be seen in many reli ...
'' episode " Mr. Monk vs. the Cobra". In 2010, one was seen in the " Chuck Versus the Beard" episode of the American action-comedy series ''Chuck
Chuck () is a masculine given name or a nickname for Charles or Charlie. It may refer to:
People
Arts and entertainment
* Chuck Alaimo, American saxophonist, leader of the Chuck Alaimo Quartet
* Chuck Barris (1929–2017), American TV produce ...
.'' In 2011, a bat'leth was used in American situation comedy
A sitcom (short for situation comedy or situational comedy) is a genre of comedy produced for radio and television, that centers on a recurring cast of character (arts), characters as they navigate humorous situations within a consistent settin ...
''The Big Bang Theory
''The Big Bang Theory'' is an American television sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady for CBS. It aired from September 24, 2007, to May 16, 2019, running for 12 seasons and 279 episodes.
The show originally centered on five charact ...
'' episode "The Zarnecki Incursion". A bat'leth also receives screen time in the television film '' Swindle'' (2013).
Legality
Replicas of the bat'leth are often made of metal and can be dangerous. Media reports documenting instances of replica bat'leths being used in crimes have referred to the weapon as a "double-pointed Klingon crescent-shaped sword", a "Klingon-type sword", a "''Star Trek'' Klingon-type sword" or as a "double-pointed scimitar".
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, it is legal to possess a bat'leth on private property; however, they may be seized if they are considered to be "potential evidence of a criminal lifestyle." They are classed as weapons, which makes it illegal to carry one in a public place. In 2009, a man from Billingham
Billingham is a List of towns in England, town and Civil parishes in England, civil parish in County Durham, England. The town is on the north side of the River Tees and is governed as part of the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees unitary authority ...
, County Durham, was arrested for possession of what the court documents later described as a "multi-bladed sword" in a public street. His defense called the item a "Star Trek bat’leth sword" although it was not an official replica, and the judge said, "I've never seen anything like it in my life before." The accused pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court
The Teesside Combined Court Centre is a Crown Court venue, which deals with criminal cases, as well as a County Court venue, which deals with civil cases, in Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, England.
History
Until the early 1970s, apart from a ...
, and he was later sentenced to thirteen weeks in prison. The court ordered that the bat'leth was to be forfeited and destroyed. A custom-made bat'leth was seized in 2009 in Accrington
Accrington is a town in the Hyndburn borough of Lancashire, England. It lies about east of Blackburn, west of Burnley, east of Preston, north of Manchester and is situated on the culverted River Hyndburn. Commonly abbreviated by locals to ...
, Lancashire.
United States
The legality of the bat'leth in the United States differs between states. In 2009, a small double bladed knife shaped like a bat'leth was used in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is the most populous city in El Paso County, Colorado, United States, and its county seat. The city had a population of 478,961 at the 2020 census, a 15.02% increase since 2010. Colorado Springs is the second-most populous c ...
, Colorado, in two armed robberies. The Colorado Springs Police Department
The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is the police department for the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
History
In 1923, Chief Hugh D. Harper helped transfer 50,000 fingerprint files from the International Association of Chiefs of P ...
said that it was a deadly weapon. The Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and Federal law enforcement in the United States, its principal federal law enforcement ag ...
discovered and seized a bat'leth like weapon as part of a cache of weapons in connection with a $4 million Medicare fraud investigation in 2010.
References
External links
Bat'leth article
at the official ''Star Trek'' website
*
{{Star Trek
Star Trek devices
Klingons
Fictional swords
Fictional elements introduced in 1990
de:Völker und Gruppierungen im Star-Trek-Universum#Klingonen