Abstract: A drilling jar is disclosed. The jar has particular application in directional drilling operations and includes a swivel which allows the drilling jar to operate substantially independently of any right hand torque that becomes trapped in the drill string. The swivel includes a bearing cage that engages the polished stem of the drilling jar to the jay stem of the drilling jar. This bearing cage holds a number of bearings against the jay stem and the polished stem. The swivel allows the jay stem to rotate substantially independently of the polished stem. The drilling jar may further include splines formed onto the outer surface of the polished stem for transmitting torque from the polished stem to the barrel of the drilling jar without simultaneously transmitting torque from the polished stem to the jay stem.