View source for Numknuts

Numknuts are described as something very similar to Japanese [[wikipedia:Nunchaku|nunchakus]] (usually pronounced "nunchucks"), which are a traditional weapon of the ''Kobudo'' weapons set and consists of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope. In the hands of an expert, these are intimidating and potent weapons in hand-to-hand combat. Most people end up hitting their own ear (as did [[Samuel Vimes|Sir Samuel Vimes]]).

The word "numb-nuts" is an insult as well, insinuating infertility and impotency, and in relation with the difficulty of using the weapon, probably an apt comparison.

[[Andy Hancock|Special Constable Hancock]] possesses some Numknuts in [[Book:Thud!|Thud!]], calling them his "new Truncheon".


== Annotation ==
The idea was made to work by the Koreans, who used it to deadly effect in their war with the Japanese (1592-98). The Koreans were prudent enough to put the business end at the far end of a long handle, effectively making the"numknuts" into a pole-arm with a flailing mace on the end, where all the dangerous stuff was happening up to eight feet away, (co-incidentally out of reach of a Samurai's sword) and there was no danger of hitting yourself in the ear with the recoil.  The more sophisticated versions had a spring assembly fitted, so that once the flail end had been snapped out to do its lethal business, it automatically recuperated, ready for the next swing.

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