#bagh naka

[adz]

here r some slightly cheaper hand claws for the bagh naka connoisseur on a budget http://www.budk.com/Black-Hornet-Hand-Claws-5319

[morbidology]

The bagh naka is a claw like weapon which hails from India. It is quite often designed to fit over the knuckles and some are designed to be concealed under the hand but as seen above, there are many variations of the weapon. It was inspired by the claws of large animals. The term bagh naka means “tiger claw” in Hindu. This weapon was often used in a form of fighting called naki ka kusti. One of these brutal fights which took place in 1864 is described below:

“The weapons, fitted into a kind of handle, were fastened by thongs to the closed right hand. The men, drunk with bhang or Indian hemp, rushed upon each other and tore like tigers at face and body; forehead-skins would hang like shreds; necks and ribs were laid open, and not infrequently one or both would bleed to death. The ruler’s excitement on these occasions often grew to such a pitch that he could scarcely restrain himself from imitating the movements of the duellists.”

More at Morbidology

[howtofightwrite]

I saw the ask about Wolverine-style claws and noticed you mention a claws-at-the-fingertips version. Would you mind elaborating on those?

There isn’t really much I can say on the subject. I’ve seen photos of them. They’re articulated gauntlets with hooked claws mounted on the end of each finger. I assume they were used in India as part of a wrestling style which called for using tiger claws (called naki-ka-kusti or “claw wrestling”) if my Google skills are up to par, and no one’s trolling on the internet.

I’ve also got a few books that lump the gauntlet forms in as “tiger claws,” but it’s possible they’re conflating separate weapons together and I’m just following the same mistake.

Looking at it, I suspect the gauntlets are supposed to be used to rake the opponent with an open hand. While this would kill someone eventually, it’s more likely to deal massive, superficial injuries, which is preferable in sport dueling (like gladiatorial combat), because it keeps the bout going while still giving the crowd a show. Incidentally, this is exactly how the non-gloved tiger claws worked in the wrestling form using them.

The other variant of gauntlets I’m seeing, and wasn’t previously aware of, are called Hong Kong Tiger Claws, which are apparently just faux antique ketch. Which is always a risk when dealing with more obscure weapons. The difference is these are bronze plats held together with chain, while the others look more like a fully articulated gauntlet. It’s possible both are explicitly modern weapons designed to imitate the older Indian weapons, though.

-Starke