Khopesh

History
Khopesh (ḫpš) is the Egyptian name of the Canaanite "sickle-sword". Its origins can be traced back to third millennium Sumer. The typical khopesh has a blade that exists of a straight unsharpened section, followed by a sickle shaped section which generally has the outer edge sharpened. Early examples are generally tanged, with or without rivets. Later examples had a flanged hilt, with organic inlays.

The khopesh is actually neither a sickle nore a sword, but originally a type of axe, the so-called epsilon axe / fenestrated axe (dating to around 2400-2000BC). Below is a schematic overview of the development from this axe into the khopesh:



Khopeshes are a specialized weapon, used much like a sword and built much like a sickle. It is not, however, either of the latter but closer in function and purpose to an axe. Like battleaxes, which are slightly smaller, khopeshes can be wielded with either one or two hands by creatures of roughly human size, dealing more damage when wielded with two, though at the cost of defense. Khopeshes are more brutal than most weapons, dealing at least minor wounds whenever it hits.

Realmslore
Khopeshes are commonly found and used in Calimshan and Zakhara.