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{{short description|Star Trek weapon}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{good article}}
[[File:Bat'leths.jpg|thumb|A collection of replica Bat'leths. Note the replica of "The Sword Of Kahless" at the top.]]
The '''bat'leth''' ([[Klingon language|Klingon]]: {{Lang|tlh|betleH}}, rough pronunciation: {{IPA|[ˈbɛtʰlɛx]}}; plural {{Lang|tlh|betleHmey}}, {{IPA|[ˈbɛtʰlɛxmɛj]}}<ref name="Okrand">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9Vz1q4p87GgC&q=betleH|title=Klingon for the Galactic Traveler|first=MARC|last=OKRAND|date=September 25, 2012|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=9781471106811|via=Google Books}}</ref>) 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]] for the ''[[Star Trek]]'' franchise, where it is the characteristic close combat weapon of [[Klingon]]s. Curry has called the bat'leth "one of the iconic images associated with the show."<ref name=mov /> It has spawned a smaller weapon, which became known as the '''mek'leth'''; in [[Klingon language|Klingon]], this is written {{Lang|tlh|meqleH}}. A third weapon, a '''kur'leth''', was later designed by Dan Curry, for Season 3 of ''[[Star Trek: Picard]]''.<ref name="Terry Matalas">{{cite web |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/terrymatalas/status/1551004516094332928?s=46&t=35NJprkrOh0bD2Fg3IEq0g |title=Terry Matalas - Twitter |last=Matalas |first=Terry |date=2022-07-23 |accessdate=2023-02-08 }}</ref> 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 {{Convert|5|ft|m|sp=us}} 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.<ref name=BBC>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/dna/ptop/alabaster/A56209287 |title="Star Trek" - Klingon Weapons, Honour, Pain and Sex |publisher=BBC |access-date=2012-05-02 |archive-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203074144/http://news.bbc.co.uk/dna/ptop/alabaster/A56209287 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Dan Curry created the bat'leth in 1990 for [[Worf]], the character played by [[Michael Dorn]] in ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]],''<ref name="Encyc">{{cite book|title=[[The Star Trek Encyclopedia]]|author=Okuda, Mike|author-link=Michael Okuda|author2=Denise Okuda|author3=Debbie Mirek|name-list-style=amp|publisher=Pocket Books|isbn=0-671-53609-5|year=1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Poe |first=Stephen Edward |title=Star Trek Voyager: A Vision of the Future |publisher=Pocket Books |year=1998 |location=New York |page=12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MiJTlrdSkpAC&q=Dan+Curry+Bat%27leth&pg=PA12 |isbn=978-0-671-53481-3}}</ref> after receiving approval from producer [[Rick Berman]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Continuing Mission|author=Judith|author-link=Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens|author2=Garfield Reeves-Stevens|name-list-style=amp|publisher=Pocket Books|isbn=0-671-87429-2|year=1997|page=[https://archive.org/details/startreknextgene0000reev/page/184 184]|url=https://archive.org/details/startreknextgene0000reev/page/184}}</ref> Curry based the bat'leth's design on the [[Deer horn knives|Chinese fighting crescent]].<ref name=mov>{{cite web|url=http://trekmovie.com/2011/04/18/visual-effects-artist-dan-curry-talks-about-time-with-star-trek-designing-the-batleth/ |title=Visual Effects Artist Dan Curry Talks About Time With Star Trek & Designing The Bat'leth |publisher=TrekMovie.com |date=April 18, 2011 |access-date=2012-05-07}}</ref> 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.<ref name=mov /><ref name=Poe13>Poe, [https://books.google.com/books?id=MiJTlrdSkpAC&q=mek%27leth&pg=PA12 p. 13].</ref>

===Mek'leth===
[[File:Mekleth.jpg|thumb|A Mek'leth, a smaller version of the Bat'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,<ref name=Poe13/> 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]]; they are approximately half the length of the full-size bat'leth.<ref name=BBC /><ref name=mekleth>[https://books.google.com/books?id=LKuvwS_pwQIC&q=mek%27leth&pg=PT192 "mekleth"], ''Star Trek Encyclopedia''.</ref>

== Use in ''Star Trek'' ==
In ''Star Trek'' lore, the Klingon [[Kahless]] 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.<ref name="Encyc" /> He then united [[Qo'noS]], the Klingon homeworld, by killing a tyrant named Molor with the weapon, which became known as the Sword of Kahless.<ref name="Encyc" /> The sword was later stolen by a species called the [[Hur'q]] during their invasion of Qo'noS.<ref name="Encyc" /> In the ''Deep Space Nine'' episode "[[The Sword of Kahless]]", Worf and another Klingon named [[Kor (Star Trek)|Kor]] rediscover the artifact, but it is eventually [[Transporter (Star Trek)|transported]] into space to prevent them from using it to attack each other.<ref name="DS9 ep">
{{Cite episode
| title   = The Sword of Kahless
| series  = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
| credits = Directed by LeVar Burton
| airdate = 20 November 1995
| series-no= 4
| number  = 9}}
</ref> The Sword of Kahless differs from normal bat'leths as it has five points and one handhold compared to four points and three handholds.<ref name="DS9 ep" />

In the Klingon language, the bat'leth was originally referred to as {{Lang|tlh|batlh'etlh}}, then was shortened to {{Lang|tlh|betleH}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coldnorth.com/owen/game/startrek/nomghar/weapons.htm |title=Klingon Weapons |publisher=Coldnorth.com |access-date=2012-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201205104/http://www.coldnorth.com/owen/game/startrek/nomghar/weapons.htm |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The word bat'leth itself means "sword of honor".<ref name="Okrand" /> Bat'leths are made of a reinforced metal called baakonite<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=LKuvwS_pwQIC&q=baakonite&pg=PT192 "Baakonite"], ''Star Trek Encyclopedia''.</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Anderson |first=Dayan |title=Mining and sustainable development in a "Star Trek" universe |journal=SME News |date=February 2010 |page=54}}</ref> and are normally {{Convert|116|cm|ft|sp=us}} long and weigh {{Convert|5.3|kg|lb|sp=us}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.startrek.com/database_article/batleth |title=Bat'leth |publisher=Star Trek |access-date=2013-02-01}}</ref>

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]]'',<ref>
{{Cite episode
| title   = [[Marauders (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Marauders]]
| series  = Star Trek: Enterprise
| credits = Directed by Mike Vejar
| airdate = 30 October 2002
| series-no= 2
| number  = 6}} 
</ref> and later appears in several episodes of ''[[Star Trek: Discovery]]''. The bat'leth was also used in the 1994 film ''[[Star Trek Generations]]''.<ref name=mov /> The mek'leth appeared in the television series ''Deep Space Nine'' and in the 1996 film ''[[Star Trek: First Contact]]''.<ref name=mekleth/> The Sword of Kahless appeared in the 2000 video game ''[[Star Trek: Armada]]''<ref>{{cite video game |title=Star Trek: Armada |developer=[[Activision]] |publisher=Activision |date=2000-02-29 |platform=[[Personal computer|PC]] |version=1 |scene=Level complete cutscene |level=Vendetta |quote='''Worf''': Excellent, beam The Sword of Kahless onboard and send a message to Chancellor Martok informing him that we are on our way. }}</ref> and normal bat'leths appeared in the 1996 video game ''[[Star Trek: Klingon]]''.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Star Trek: Klingon |developer=[[Simon & Schuster]] |publisher=Simon & Schuster |date=1996 |platform=[[Personal computer|PC]] |version=1 |scene=Game complete cutscene |level=20 }}</ref> Some of the bat'leth's uses were in the debut episode "[[Reunion (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Reunion]]", where Worf teaches his son [[Alexander Rozhenko|Alexander]] how to use one. Worf used a bat'leth to kill Duras{{mdash}}a Klingon who killed Worf's mate [[K'Ehleyr]].<ref name="TNG ep">
{{Cite episode
| title   = Reunion
| series  = Star Trek: The Next Generation
| credits = Directed by Jonathan Frakes
| airdate = 5 November 1990
| series-no= 4
| number  = 7}}
</ref> Notable uses of the weapon occurred in the ''Voyager'' episode "[[Barge of the Dead (Star Trek: Voyager)|Barge of the Dead]]"{{mdash}}in which [[Tuvok]] uses a bat'leth to teach [[B'Elanna Torres]] about her Klingon heritage,<ref>
{{Cite episode
| title   = Barge of the Dead
| series  = Star Trek: Voyager
| credits = Directed by Mike Vejar
| airdate = 6 October 1999
| series-no= 6
| number  = 3}}
</ref> and in the ''Deep Space Nine'' episode "[[Tacking into the Wind]]"{{mdash}} in which Worf kills the leader of the [[Klingon High Council]], [[Gowron]], in a bat'leth duel to give the Klingon Chancellorship to General [[Martok]].<ref>
{{Cite episode
| title   = Tacking into the Wind
| series  = Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
| credits = Directed by Mike Vejar
| airdate = 12 May 1999
| series-no= 7
| number  = 22}}
</ref>

== Cultural legacy ==
[[File:Klingon trekkie armed.jpg|thumb|upright|A [[cosplay]]er in a Klingon costume with a bat'leth]]
The bat'leth is considered an iconic image of the ''Star Trek'' universe.<ref name=mov /> Replicas are widespread and are considered collectibles by some and a part of Klingon costume. A number of outlets, including replica merchants,<ref>{{cite news |last=Bragg |first=Mary Rae |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-20344432.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924190150/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-20344432.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-09-24 |title=Surely, you joust |newspaper=Telegraph-Herald (archived at Highbeam) |location=Dubuque, Iowa |date=2009-05-31 |access-date=2012-05-08 }}</ref> weapons dealers, and pawn shops sell them.<ref name=mov /><ref name=gaz /> [[Ronald D. Moore]], who has worked on ''Star Trek'' and ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]'', displays one in his office.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hodgman |first=John |title=Ron Moore's Deep Space Journey |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=2005-07-17 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/17/magazine/17GALACTICA.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print |access-date=2012-05-08 }}</ref> 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]].<ref name=live />

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]], [[kendo]], {{Transliteration|ja|italic=no|kinjitsu}}, and [[nunchaku]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapplean.net/batleth/whatis.html |title=WHAT IS the Vulcan Undiplomatic Corp? |publisher=Vulcan Undiplomatic Corp Bat'leth Martial Arts Team |year=2002 |access-date=2012-06-15}}</ref> Bat'leth competitions have been held at conventions such as [[MileHiCon]] and StarCon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapplean.net/batleth/team.html |title=Want to join the VUC? |publisher=Vulcan Undiplomatic Corp Bat'leth Martial Arts Team |access-date=2012-06-15}}</ref>

The bat'leth has appeared in television programs outside the ''Star Trek'' franchise. In 2002, it was seen in ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episode "[[The Other Guys (Stargate SG-1)|The Other Guys]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0709195/trivia |title=The Other Guys (2002) - Trivia |publisher=[[Internet Movie Database|IMDB]] |access-date=2012-05-07}}</ref> In 2005, a bat'leth was in the background of the US detective series ''[[Monk (TV series)|Monk]]'' episode "[[Mr. Monk vs. the Cobra]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0650655/trivia|title=Mr. Monk vs. the Cobra (2005) - Trivia |publisher=IMDB |access-date=2012-05-07}}</ref> In 2010, one was seen in the "[[Chuck Versus the Beard]]" episode of the American action-comedy series ''[[Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]].''<ref name=mov /> In 2011, a bat'leth was used in American [[sitcom|situation comedy]] ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]'' episode "The Zarnecki Incursion".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1632234/quotes|title=Memorable quotes for "The Big Bang Theory" The Zarnecki Incursion (2011) |publisher=IMDB |access-date=2012-05-07}}</ref> A bat'leth also receives screen time in the television film ''[[Swindle (2013 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",<ref name="7-11" /> a "Klingon-type sword",<ref name=7-11 /> a "''Star Trek'' Klingon-type sword"<ref>{{cite news|last=Nicholson |first=Kieran |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_11631084 |title="Star Trek" sword boldly used in thefts |newspaper=[[The Denver Post]] |date=2010-09-14 |access-date=2012-05-07}}</ref> or as a "double-pointed scimitar".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2009/02/05/man-holds-up-store-with-star-trek-weapon-433125/ |title=Man holds up store with Star Trek weapon |newspaper=Metro |date=2009-02-05 |access-date=2012-05-02}}</ref>

=== 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."<ref name=Lanc /> They are classed as weapons, which makes it illegal to carry one in a public place.<ref name=live />    In 2009, a man from [[Billingham]], 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."<ref name=live /> The accused pleaded guilty at [[Teesside Crown Court]],<ref name=live>{{cite web|last=Lightfoot |first=Garth |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2009/10/08/billingham-man-found-with-star-trek-klingon-sword-84229-24877898/ |title=Billingham man found with Star Trek Klingon sword |publisher=Gazette Live |date=2009-10-08 |access-date=2012-05-07}}</ref> and he was later sentenced to thirteen weeks in prison. The court ordered that the bat'leth was to be forfeited and destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web
| url     = http://ts23.gazettelive.co.uk/local-news/knifeman-jailed.html
| title   = Knifeman jailed
| work    = Evening Gazette
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721000741/http://ts23.gazettelive.co.uk/local-news/knifeman-jailed.html
| archive-date=July 21, 2011| access-date =30 May 2013}}</ref> A custom-made bat'leth was seized in 2009 in [[Accrington]], Lancashire.<ref name=Lanc>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/4521499.Klingon_sword_seized_in_Accrington_police_raids/ |title=Klingon sword seized in Accrington police raids |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |publisher=This Is Lancashire |date=2009-07-30 |access-date=2012-05-02}}</ref>

=== 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|Colorado Springs]], Colorado, in two armed robberies.<ref name="7-11">{{cite web | url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/pic-shows-man-robbing-stores-with-klingon-sword | title=Pic Shows Man Robbing Stores With Klingon Sword: Clerks Recognize Sword As 'Bat'leth' | date=2009-02-04 | access-date=2012-05-08 | publisher=ABC News, Denver | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001163409/http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/pic-shows-man-robbing-stores-with-klingon-sword | archive-date=October 1, 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Colorado Springs Police Department]] said that it was a deadly weapon.<ref name=gaz>{{cite web |last=Benzel |first=Lance |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/store-47426-colorado-sword.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123223109/http://www.gazette.com/articles/store-47426-colorado-sword.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-23 |title=Where no Klingon has gone before |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=2009-02-04 |access-date=2012-05-07 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Pascale |first=Anthony |url=http://trekmovie.com/2009/02/04/man-weilding-batleth-robs-2-colorado-7-11s/ |title=Man Wielding Bat'leth Robs 2 Colorado 7-11s UPDATE: Surveillance Cam Image |publisher=TrekMovie.com |date=2009-02-04 |access-date=2012-05-07}}</ref> The [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] discovered and seized a bat'leth like weapon as part of a cache of weapons in connection with a $4 million [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] fraud investigation in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/01/medicare-fraud-busters-star-trek-turn-048108 |title=Medicare fraud-busters' Star Trek turn |first=Brett |last=Coughlin |publisher=Politico.Com |date=January 25, 2011 |access-date=2012-05-07}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.startrek.com/database_article/batleth Bat'leth article] at the official ''Star Trek'' website
* {{Memory Alpha}}

{{Klingon}}
{{Star Trek}}

[[Category:Star Trek devices]]
[[Category:Klingons]]
[[Category:Fictional swords]]
[[Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1990]]

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