[Extremely OT] Kukris

[Andrew D. Gable]

As some more preparation for a (probably never materializing) 1890s CoC campaign, I'll ask the following. I'm sure there's some folks on the boards familiar with weapons. A kukri is Indian, correct? Or Malay?

The other questions can best be asked by saying that I'm thinking of making it the weapon of choice for old Saucy Jack. So what I'm asking here is how a kukri actually WORKS. Is it a massive chopping weapon, like a meat cleaver? Or can it be used as a stabbing weapon? Or both? Would it be able to either chop or stab through bone?

Kinda grisly questions, I know.

 

[Paladin]

I don't know the origins, but my best friend has a kukri, and it is definitely a chopping weapon. I've watched him hack 1" thick branches off a tree with ease and he's butchered hogs with it. Bone is NO problem, usually with one clean chop.

 

[Krug]

It's actually Nepalese and used by the Ghurkhas. The Kris (a wavy-looking knife) is Malay.

More kukri shots here.
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/khuk1.html

How it worked? Sliced a man from ear to ear it would. It's definitely more of a chopping weapon rather that stabbing, and was also used for sacrificial purposes. Think of it as a curved machete.

 

[hong]

Also, Google on "gurkha" for more info on the world's most famous kukri wielders.

 

[Tetsubo]

And I still maintain that they aren't Tiny weapons. I don't care what WoTC says.

 

[Krug]

And I still maintain that they aren't Tiny weapons. I don't care what WoTC says.

Tiny? U've got to be kidding me.

 

[Tetsubo]

Nope. They consider in the same class as a dagger.

Silliness.

If ever used in a campiagn I run it will be Small.

 

[Ace]

Nope. They consider in the same class as a dagger.

Silliness.

If ever used in a campiagn I run it will be Small.

They also aren't very difficult to use and should be a martial weapon.

A better set of sets small martial weapon 1d6 crits 19-20

I can live with 1d4 18-20 I guess but a Kukri isn't really a subtle weapon IMO

 

[Shadowdancer]

Kukri come in different sizes. But most are the same size category as a dagger.

 

[Skarp Hedin]

There's a gurkha tradition, Ive read, that if you draw your kukri, you mustn't sheathe it without drawing blood. If you take a gander up there at Krug's very nice picture, you'll see a funny weird notch near the handle -- supposedly that's so you can cut yourself (on the finger, I believe) fairly safely in the event that you draw it and for some reason don't have to draw blood. Like, say, when whoever's giving Subhedar Prabang a hard time decides to back off when the good fellow yanks his knife.