In Nepal, there is a group of well-trained, disciplined soldiers known as the Gurkha. They predate western colonialism in the region, and were of interest to the British Empire as a "martial race". They served the empire with distinction, even during World War II.
One of their most distinct pieces of typical apparel, aside from the side-cocked hat, is a special blade they carry, called a Kukri. Useful for both utility and in hand-to-hand combat, the Kukri basically behaves like a cross between a knife and an axe, thanks to its distinct forward curve. It is prodigiously powerful in swinging, lending itself for chopping through brush, through your next meal's meat course.... or through a foe. Modern day Gurkhas, despite wielding modern firearms, still all carry a Kukri as a symbol of their membership.
The blade isn't actually a sword, but a heavy knife. Its forward-curved blade focuses the force of the swing in a way similar to a hatchet.
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