Ikwa

The ikwa is a neolithic melee weapon that deals heavy stabbing damage.

Acquisition

It is crafted at a smithy using 50 Stuff (Metallic/Woody, 500 for SMVs), and 5,000 ticks (1.39 mins) of work.

Analysis

Ikwa are strictly inferior to the gladius, which deals more damage, has more AP, and attacks just as fast, for the exact same material and research cost. While an ikwa's mid-tier damage types include Blunt and Poke (gladius only has Blunt), this is unlikely to make a meaningful difference. The only advantage of the ikwa is that tribal raiders may wield them, which industrial colonies can smelt back into steel.

If you obtain one before Smithing is unlocked, ikwa are weaker for DPS than even a knife of the same material and quality, after accounting for the melee verb system. The ikwa is ever so slightly better against armor, but most (if not all) enemies won't carry any remotely heavy armor during the time you're using an ikwa.

Material table

Material	DPS^[1]	AP^[1]	Handle (Blunt)					Handle (Poke)					Head (Stab)					Edge (Cut)					HP	Value [ExpandCollapse]
Material	DPS^[1]	AP^[1]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	HP	Value [ExpandCollapse]
Wooden Ikwa	3.79	10.98%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	37.5%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	37.5%	6	2s	8.8%	3	12.5%	6	2s	8.8%	3	12.5%	65	73
Bioferrite Ikwa	8.33	24.38%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	12.5%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	12.5%	19.5	2s	28.6%	9.75	37.5%	19.5	2s	28.6%	9.75	37.5%	200	83
Golden Ikwa	5.34	15.63%	9	2s	13%	4.5	12.5%	9	2s	13%	4.5	12.5%	11.25	2s	16.5%	5.63	37.5%	11.25	2s	16.5%	5.63	37.5%	60	5015
Plasteel Ikwa	9	21.08%	8.1	1.28s	11.7%	6.33	12.5%	8.1	1.28s	11.7%	6.33	12.5%	16.5	1.28s	24.2%	12.89	37.5%	16.5	1.28s	24.2%	12.89	37.5%	280	490
Silver Ikwa	5.91	17.28%	9	2s	13%	4.5	12.5%	9	2s	13%	4.5	12.5%	12.75	2s	18.7%	6.38	37.5%	12.75	2s	18.7%	6.38	37.5%	70	520
Steel Ikwa	6.75	19.75%	9	2s	13%	4.5	12.5%	9	2s	13%	4.5	12.5%	15	2s	22%	7.5	37.5%	15	2s	22%	7.5	37.5%	100	113
Uranium Ikwa	7.16	23.03%	13.5	2.42s	19.5%	5.58	12.5%	13.5	2.42s	19.5%	5.58	12.5%	16.5	2.42s	24.2%	6.82	37.5%	16.5	2.42s	24.2%	6.82	37.5%	250	335

^{Assuming Normal quality, for the effect of other qualities, see Quality.}

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Note: This is the actual base average derived from the melee verb system updated in 1.1.2610, it may sometimes disagree with the listed value in the in-game infobox.
It may also change depending on the stats and the melee verbs available to the wielder
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 Chance for attack to be selected, assuming only the weapon's attack verbs are considered. It may change depending on the melee verbs available to the wielder