The Kodavas have resided in the area for over 2 millennia cultivating paddy fields, maintaining cattle herds and carrying arms during war.

[3] During the colonial period, the British named the region "Coorg", a corruption of the Kannada word "kodaga" or "kodagu" meaning "hilly, steep".

Unlike the prestige form, the war ayudha katti lacks the egg-shaped pommel plate on the base of the hilt.

[6] Ayudha katti is mostly a chopping tool, a very common weapon found worldwide.

[5][better source needed] The hilt of the ayudha katti can be made of wood or horn (usually of the water buffalo).

Prestige form ayudha katti has a special carrying device consisting of a silver chain that serves as a belt and a large brass ring for hanging the knife in the back of the blade's holder.