For halflings and gnomes, using mediums-sized light-weapons (such as a Kukri) what is the penalty... if they are willing to use them as a normal (not light) one-handed weapon?
The rules seem contradictory on this.
Under Weapon sizes, there are three paragraphs. Paragraph 2 indicates that using a weapon that is the wrong size results in a -2 penalty for each size difference. The third paragraph seems to indicate that if the character is willing to give up the "Light" category for the weapon, then he/she can use it as a normal one-handed weapon without penalty.
So, which is it?
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There is no such thing as "give up the "Light" category". It happens automatically, there is no choice involved, and the penalty for improper size is independent.
Are you sure you're reading the right rules? I don't see where you get the idea from that the handedness change is voluntary. Here are the correct rules, just in case.
It is both a -2 penalty and treated as one-handed. This rule ultimately limits how large of a weapon you can use as well. Without special abilities that alter how you use oversized weapons you can only use a weapon up to two size categories larger than normal and only if said weapon is normally a light weapon. One size larger if the weapon is normally one-handed. A small creature using a large size dagger would use it at a -4 penalty and treat it as a two-handed weapon. A huge size dagger would have a -6 penalty but be too big to be wielded by a small size character.
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The relevant rules (as linked by an earlier poster) are: Source
PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 140
Light, One-Handed, and Two-Handed Melee Weapons: This designation is a measure of how much effort it takes to wield a weapon in combat. It indicates whether a melee weapon, when wielded by a character of the weapon’s size category, is considered a light weapon, a one-handed weapon, or a two-handed weapon.
Light: A light weapon is used in one hand. It is easier to use in one’s off hand than a one-handed weapon is, and can be used while grappling (see Chapter 8). Add the wielder’s Strength modifier to damage rolls for melee attacks with a light weapon if it’s used in the primary hand, or half the wielder’s Strength bonus if it’s used in the off hand. Using two hands to wield a light weapon gives no advantage on damage; the Strength bonus applies as though the weapon were held in the wielder’s primary hand only. An unarmed strike is always considered a light weapon.
One-Handed: A one-handed weapon can be used in either the primary hand or the off hand. Add the wielder’s Strength bonus to damage rolls for melee attacks with a one-handed weapon if it’s used in the primary hand, or 1/2 his Strength bonus if it’s used in the off hand. If a one-handed weapon is wielded with two hands during melee combat, add 1-1/2 times the character’s Strength bonus to damage rolls.
Two-Handed: Two hands are required to use a two-handed melee weapon effectively. Apply 1-1/2 times the character’s Strength bonus to damage rolls for melee attacks with such a weapon.
Weapon Size: Every weapon has a size category. This designation indicates the size of the creature for which the weapon was designed.
A weapon’s size category isn’t the same as its size as an object. Instead, a weapon’s size category is keyed to the size of the intended wielder. In general, a light weapon is an object two size categories smaller than the wielder, a onehanded weapon is an object one size category smaller than the wielder, and a two-handed weapon is an object of the same size category as the wielder.
Inappropriately Sized Weapons: A creature can’t make optimum use of a weapon that isn’t properly sized for it. A cumulative –2 penalty applies on attack rolls for each size category of difference between the size of its intended wielder and the size of its actual wielder. If the creature isn’t proficient with the weapon, a –4 nonproficiency penalty also applies.
The measure of how much effort it takes to use a weapon (whether the weapon is designated as a light, one-handed, or two-handed weapon for a particular wielder) is altered by one step for each size category of difference between the wielder’s size and the size of the creature for which the weapon was designed. For example, a Small creature would wield a Medium one-handed weapon as a two-handed weapon. If a weapon’s designation would be changed to something other than light, one-handed, or two-handed by this alteration, the creature can’t wield the weapon at all.
Assuming no special abilities come into play that specifically alter these rules (such as Jotungrip for Titan Mauler Barbarians), a medium sized Kukri is wielded as follows:
A large Ogre can not effectively wield it as a weapon, as it is just too small (there is no category past 'light').A medium Human wields it as a LIGHT weapon with no special penalties
A small Gnome wields it as a ONE-HANDED weapon with a -2 penalty (a gnome does have the option to wield it with both hands per the 'one-handed' rules, but still at the same -2 penalty).
A tiny Grig wields it as a TWO-HANDED weapon with a -4 penalty
A diminutive Sprite can not effectively wield it as a weapon as it is just too big (there is no category past 'two-handed').
Addendum: For mundane equipment, small size versions should be freely available from vendors, and there are a few resizing options for magical weapons you might acquire (see https://paizo.com/threads/rzs43p6t?Make-it-fit#3).