Why a kama?

[Boss]

I always wonder why Kama has become so popular in American RPGs. Indeed, that thing is not a popular martial arts weapon here in Japan.

And martial arts monks are Chinese thing ....

Because here in America, one of the primary major sources for martial arts inspiration. other than Hollywood, are tournaments. Go to any martial arts tournament and you will see many competitors using the kamas to their best theatrical effect. It's a flashy weapon that gives off the image of something truly dangerous, especially when combined with acrobatic jumps and a loud techno rhythm. Personally, I have always liked the kama as a weapon, though I can do without all of the flash (more of a traditionalist myself, it's a sad fact that a traditional form is worth less today than someone's aerobicized version).

 

[Jixan]

I'm going off of memory here, so I could be wrong, but can't you flurry with Kamas, but not with sickles?

 

[tarchon]

Isn't a Kama basically a mini-scythe, just like the Sickle? Isn't it functionally the same as a Sickle -- made for cutting grain by hand?

Apparently Commoners are richer than Monks.

The 6 gp version is a finely balanced war sickle, specially forged for battle, though it also grants a +2 circumstance bonus to attacks against tall grasses.

 

[sledged]

The 6 gp version is a finely balanced war sickle, specially forged for battle, though it also grants a +2 circumstance bonus to attacks against tall grasses.

It's the commoner's only defense against druids wild shaping into grass-like creatures.

 

[Darklone]

It's the commoner's only defense against druids wild shaping into grass-like creatures.

Only if you don't take into account the intimidating effect of village customs.