Chaka
The signature, and probably most lethal, Andorian weapon is the chaka, sometimes erroneously called the "Andorian dagger" by other species, although it's closer to the traditional short sword in weight and size. It has an unforgettable three-bladed profile. The fighter holds a central haft in his fist. A short blade projects out and up from the fist, while two slender, longer blades protrude to either side.
Dozens of different variations of this basic model exist. Most chakani have basket-hiltlike protective coverings over the haft to protect the wielder's fist; others do not, while some adapt the covering into a spiked brass knucklelike punching weapon. Some models lengthen the upward-projecting blade and/or shorten the side blades. Many clans have their own preferred chaka designs which other Andorians readily recognize.
A skilled chaka fighter (called a chakashan) is a dangerous foe. His weapon allows him to punch, slash, chop, and thrust with equal ease, meaning that no angle of attack is denied to him. A fighter must be skilled indeed to come away from a chaka fighter without some sort of inquiry. The weapon's primary drawback is its relatively short reach; an opponent can use a weapon of greater length, such as the dosalnar or kal'hris, to strike a chakashan first.
Reference(s)
- Ross, S. John, Steven S. Long, and Adam Dickstein. Among the Clans: The Andorians, Last Unicorn Games, 1999.