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That tip looks pretty good for piercing gambison maybe? Also looks great for quick bind pushes. The leverage you can quickly gain on the tip would be deceiving

I've always thought of falchions wetr geared toward something similar to an African Kascara - tip cutting. Thinner blades at the tip allow for tip cutting things geared for thrusts don't cut well at the tip. This particular one feels like a mini bill on that it is a falchion that also wants to thrust 😊 Swiss army falchion.

Silly question are the the type of swords that you find in prince of Persia games??

@Sutorenja

11 ай бұрын

sortt of. Falchions have often been seen in the hand of middle eastern warriors in media. this possibly stem from art from the crusades where the saracens were often portrayed as having falchions (possibly to differenciate them from the crusaders and/or for the moon shape symbolism) but the saracens used straight swords at the time. After the seljuks took over what is today turkey and brought with them their steppe-sabers the curved sword became popular across the muslim world, I think.

@lxDastanxl

11 ай бұрын

@@Sutorenja what about acrobatic sword styles is there's any that you know of? I have only seen the Kalaripayattu which is the closest thing to jumping and dodging while attacking or defending

@Sutorenja

11 ай бұрын

@@lxDastanxl Is that the indian style? I can only think of that when it comes to jumpy sword fighting.

Great video, Roland! I always assumed clipped point designs were simply to allow wide, curved blades the ability to thrust somewhat, but it never occurred to me that a clipped edge could be used to manipulate the bind at abrupt angles like that. Very interesting.

@WilliamKeloren

6 жыл бұрын

This is not a clipped edge as is generally used (on bowies etc) as it is one the other side of the blade. Since the wrist and palm is not symetrical it cannot work on the other side similarly as the angles must differ in order to gain similar resistance and blade control. If i use Spanish terminology than what we see on the video is "general of narrowing" while if you use the other edge of the sword (here the other side) you have to use either "general of weak below strong", "line in cross"(badly) or "low general" in all of which it would not be beneficial, but interestingly enough it would hinder the sword performance in these.

Very cool video. It's interesting to see how slowly but surely, the perception people have of these weapons is changing from "peasant's axe-sword" to the far more sophisticated weapon it really was. The "reversed" edge and the way the tip is "cut out" looks really gnarly by the way.

I kept thinking that you were holding the falchion backwards, even though it was repeatedly shown to be the other way around. Curse you, pattern seeking brain!! Also, great points. The falchion is a strange weapon.

@MrTrilbe

6 жыл бұрын

If you take the art work shown in the video he is holding it backwards, everyone in the image is holding their sword so the clipped point would be facing away from their bodies... or they are not using Falchions

That idea works great for the types 1c - 3 , but doesn't work so well with the blades with a visual profile more similar to a machete or sabre. I realise machete and sabre blades are quite different in terms mass distribution and edge geometry and so the use is different, but the point stands for blade binding. If the primary purpose of the different blade designs was the bind, then we have mistyped blades together which don't actually belong to the same family in terms of use.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Maybe. This would require further testing.

A wonderful video! I have heard about an interesting theory about Falchions. In the Maciejowski Bible there are plenty of depictions of diverse types of falchion looking like the type 1c in your video, with 1,2 or 3 grooves in the top (or even no groves at all), a hook handle or even a tow hand handle, never with a guard though. Some of these weapons are carried by horsemen, but also by walking troops often in addition with a spear and a shield. the interesting thing about the M.Bible, is that on feasting pictures (banquets), you can see table knives (you would say Messer) that are the exact dwarf Falchion. the grooves on these knives is known to be used to disjoint the bones ok the food served at the table. All the more, the hook, on the handle of the ones depicted in M.Bible is very close to the one on some tools, which were carried at the belt or hang on the wall at the end of the day. As a conclusion, but of course hypothetical, falchion could have been part of the equipment of a man working in a slaughterhouse: big large blade to cut through the flesh, different sized grooves to disjoint the bones, and a hook to put it at a belt or to hung on the wall at the end of the day. In contact with this weapon, knights and high-status fighters started also using it, and through the XIIIth and XIVth century the smiths have extracted the assets of the old butcher’s tool to make them into a real and dedicated weapon. it is only a hypothesis, but nothing goes against it, although it can of course be criticized If you would like I could send you some pictures that support what I say.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Very interesting thought - and it wouldn't be the sole weapon that was based on a tool. If you want to send images, you can do so via my FB, for instance: facebook.com/Dimicator-266934476773420/

I just saw the actual Invalides falchion a few weeks ago. The notice says it weighs 890g, if I remember well. Of course it's well corroded, and there is no grip, but it means that brand new it weighted less than 1kg, probably more like 950g. The pommel is surely hollow. And when you see it in person, you see how skinny the crossguard is. The blade is almost straight, only the last third of the blade, gently curves, to bring the point near the center line, actually it's almost aligned with the tang, being off-center by less than 1cm. And when you see it in person, despite the poor lighting in the display, you can pretty well see that the tip is reinforced. The Invalides falchion blade shares similarity with the Cluny type falchion blade, only with a remodeled tip: they took the same amount of steel past the point of percussion, but instead of distributing it in a knife-like tip, they made it longer, narrower and thicker to allow for effective thrust. Also the false edge is not nearly as marked as on this reproduction, but more like an appleseed, as on many "classic" sabers (British 1796, French 1822). The Invalides falchion is a good exemple of a machete-like falchion, with light hilt components (and we know they are light because of the overall weight, and considering the shape and thickness of the blade) that don't bring the center of mass too far back, to keep a relatively "choppy" weapon. Except this one has a good piercing point, and well-centered. Choppy and clumsy are two extremely different things: clumsy is unefficient, is bad design, choppy is different goal characteristics. Clumsy: Cold Steel Thompson saber, choppy: original antique 1796 saber.

Great video. Thanx! Finally a somewhat brighter light on these intriguing and clearly underrated weapons.

Doesnt get much better than an Elmslie made falchion. One day I'll have enough discretionary income to get one.

@RockerMarcee96

6 жыл бұрын

When we win the lottery we will all buy Elsmlie falchions and custom made Peter Johnsson swords.

I'm just sitting here marvelling at how exquisite that pommel is! It looks like an absolute pleasure to hold in and of itself.

I believe I have been waiting years for a video on a Falchion sharpened in this manner and of this type.. Absolutely Excellent! I'd love to see how it performs against gambeson - I would suspect that the shape concentrates the pressure, resulting in a more devastating wound than a more traditional blade type.

Excellent analysis, your videos are always a pleasure. The point would also be an advantage for thrusting, as through a visor

It's also an incredible cutter.

so sad -- book not available -- good vid

wooooohoooo finally XD single edged sword!!! more falchion, messer & seax please :D

@Catonius

6 жыл бұрын

You can never have too much seax.

@brianknezevich9894

6 жыл бұрын

WibuSquire, Agreed!

Thank you so much! So interesting! (The falchion and the messer are my weapon of choice in HEMA ;) )

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

You are most welcome, my dear.

Interesting, thanks!

I guess the idea of having units of falchion and buckler isnt that unheard of i mean you have late 15th/16th/17th century rodeleros you had a similair thing in italy in the 15th century using rottella style shields! Makes sense that in the 13th century they had a similair type of soldier with falchion and shield

Wow binding someone's blade with a falchion looks like to almost always guarantee a hit.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Yes, I was quite impressed with how easy it is.

Could it be simply a way to enhance the thrusting capability of the tip while also maintaining the axe-like point of impact at where the center of percussion would be? To me it appears like it's an attempt to marry thrusting ability of a regular sword while retaining the striking power of that wide section. And from that idea, the shape might have been tuned to also perform the intercepting action you mentioned.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

The mechanical properties are no different to a regular double-edged sword, at least with this model. So I did not notice anything that I would call additional striking power.

Are there a series of positions and transitions one can do solo with a spear, sword, or sword and shield, to practice? Would you consider making a video of them?

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Here is a buckler drill of mine: kzread.info/dash/bejne/dHmhqMWumZjTlLw.html Find more material on my channel: kzread.infoplaylists There also is an older instructional video OI made some years ago which contains solo forms: vimeo.com/ondemand/swordandshield

Very interesting

Yes. This is why the notched ended Chinese short sword was invented. It was like a gladius, which could stab lethally with the pointed dual tips, yet was notched to intercept or trap a sword edge or stab thrust, or redirect or trap a spear tip thrust. The sword remained a true sword, a chopping-cutting sword that parried and blocked, and, to stab. A very lethal variant was the two-handed notched dao which was a combined sword-cleaver.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Interesting.

Interesting, I tended to see it as a pointy falchion, just like the gulden spurs _goedendag_ was a pointy club. As you demonstrate both have a high guard aspect. What it lacks by being concave is a slicer aspect (unless hacking and then slice in)

Hi Roland! Very interesting, this I didn't know, it was a nice detail to show the falchions of the Courtrai chest, as a Fleming I've seen it many times and I didn't quite understand the purpose behind the form, it seems very probable that this was the case. But what about the type 1 falchion? What is the purpose of this form? It seems like a very efficient chopper of unarmoured/light armoured soldiers. Also, what are your thoughts behind the goedendag (the other weapon represented on the chest)? Thanks in advance.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

You are welcome. As for other falchion blades: I think one can still use them in a similar fashion. I do not think this shape was created to make it "a chopper". One would expect them to be heavier in that case, which falchions are not.

@silentwitness7132

6 жыл бұрын

I understand, it's really hard to know as I've never wielded one, I've based this question on a video Matt Easton made on falchions, I'll post the link if you're interested in watching it: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pImluaqxZc6XitI.html So even with the type 1 blade you could apply this tactic of catching blades? That's interesting. So basically this is the main advantage falchions have? Thanks for your reply.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video link. I am looking forward to see what Matt thinks. As for the supposed main advantage: I am reluctant making a general assessment based on experience with one single blade shape in single combat. But I wouldn't be surprised if this pushing option was indeed the major advantage.

@silentwitness7132

6 жыл бұрын

I've seen the book of Das Schwert and the page of Professor Elmslie, now I understand everything. I recommend you a series Shadiversity has made around falchions and messer, a really good video based on the Elmslie typology, clears many misconceptions and explains the differences between them: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aYuVp5t6odWvcbg.html

Nice hypothesis! How easy is to displace the enemy's blade during this particular bind? You are essentially entering in a weak bind using pressure in the direction of the blade, like a normal sword, but you are easily displacing using a push/up like movement.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

As you can see, it is superior in this particular bind.

A very interesting hypothesis, indeed. However, that would explain perhaps the shape of the type 2 (and similar) swords, but not the other falchion types that do not have an exaggerated drop point. Do you have any hypothesis at the moment that might explain blades of that design, like the Hamburg example?

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

I guess any fan like widening can be used to exert pressure in a bind like a point cannot. However, this would require further testing.

Roland, do you happen to have any knowledge on the Picts and their culture that you're willing to share?

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately not.

This is really interesting but it can only explain the ones that have that feature. Looking at Elmslie's blade types, that type 2 is the only one with a "clipped front" (I don't know the proper term) and a number of them don't have clipped backs either.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

I have not tried out other falchion blade shapes yet, but it seems to me that they all allow for exerting forward pressure in the same manner.

Have you tried a falchion with a similar clip point clip on the blunt edge? It sounds like it could still be used effectively. My personal opinion is that is is a compromise, they want a wide thin blade for greater cutting ability and a slender point for greater thrusting, and a clip point is the best method to achieve this, with added benifits discovered later.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

I for one find the idea that there even was a need for "greater cutting power" not convincing, I have to admit.

Was it more popular to have these reverse blade falchions or to have falchions that curved back towards you? I've seen both. It does only show one design in the book, but does that necessarily mean it's less popular?

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

You are correct: there have been various shapes, depending on region and period.

Ich Liebe dein Idea fur die Malchus....es ist sehr interessant, und ich mit sich zustimmen! (Did I get that right? Also, Danke Shone, Herr SchwertMeister!)

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Bittesehr, gern geschehen. Freut mich, dass das Video gefällt.

Do you have a link where we can get that cool book? I could not find it on amazon.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

shop.histofakt.de/product_info.php?products_id=64&language=en&MODsid=ft51jc7r7mcukrrv8gufi93025

@bensanders4033

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

@KnightedDawn

6 жыл бұрын

Sold out!

@bensanders4033

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I'll keep watching for the resupply that is supposed to be on the way!

You've been working on your English, haven't you? ;) Great insight as usual! Every video of yours is a pleasure to watch

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind reception.

I suppose a falchion such as the Macejowski? would 'collect a blade' as you say even more effectively, given numerous scallops in the tip.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

I guess so.

Where can get the book and who is the author???

Thegn Thrand has shown such corners to penetrate cloth armour better. I have never handled a falchion, but I'd expect the broad edge to make it sharper, and the broad blade to give it more stability in the cut?

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Why would it be sharper and more stable in a cut? Plus, why would this be so relevant to change blade design when the majority of depictions show armoured contexts?

@Xandros999

6 жыл бұрын

I thought the wide blade allowed a very slight angle on the edge but with still a lot of structure supporting the cut. Honestly, I thought of falchion as the archetypal cutting sword and not something specific to one period and place and it seems it's had a lot of different shapes. This one looks great for armoured combat with its thin spike, but others it's not so obvious. The idea that falchions could be used to push open visors is really interesting (picturing the maciejowski cleaver too).

Wow that falchion is made by the man himself!

Once again only by experimentation can we get the full picture. Books and archaeology can only take us so far. Btw if you don’t mind my asking, why the odd socks? Fashion or is there some point to it?

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Such socks are being worn with baggy trousers a lot by HEMA practitioners around the globe.

@andrewmallory3854

6 жыл бұрын

Is there a reason or is it purely for style points?

Interesting but yet i'm pretty sure that when you clash in that close range .it will be very effective to push kick the knee or the hip of your opponent and cripple him temporarily. (Push kick on the legs are extremely painfull and will make you fall down )

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

You need to have a firm grounding to kick. When there is a struggle for dominance in the bind, you either are winning the bind, in which case you do not need a kick to begin with, or you are losing a bind, in which case it would not be a good idea to lift a leg to kick.

Also, ich weiß nicht, ob diese kleine Kurve in der Klinge wirklich zum Fangen von anderen Schwertern da ist. Bei allen Typen, ausser dem Typ 1c, ist die Kurve nicht besonders stark. Die Kurve von Typ 3c kann diese Funktion wahrscheinlich fast gar nicht erfüllen und Typ 1a & 1b haben gar keine Kurve. Es wäre doch eigenartig eine gänzlich neue Art von Schwert zu schaffen und dann das eine Feature, welches das Design ausmacht, ganz wegzulassen. Ich glaube eher, dass diese Schwerter mit nur einer einseitigen Klinge designt wurden, weil einseitige Klingen gewisse Vorteile gegenüber Schwertern mit beidseitigen Klingen haben. Ein einseitiges Schwert kann bei gleichem Gewicht entweder doppelt so scharf oder doppelt so dick & rigide sein, wie ein doppelseitiges Schwert (Will man z.B. beide Seiten eines doppelseitiges Schwertes so scharf machen, wie die eines einseitigen Schwertes, so muss man das Schwert auch doppelt so breit machen, was es schwer & behebig macht). Und daher kann ein Falchion viel besser zerschneiden als herkömmliche Schwerter.

Interesting ideas.

I want that 33 t shirt!

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Hahaha. It is my design.

@slimsuits3231

6 жыл бұрын

Roland Warzecha Excellent aesthetic!

is it possible that falchion was more of a nobility type weapon used against unarmed opponenst? like peasants? I heard falchions are very effective cutters even against padded jackets like gambeson

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

This is not supported by period images. Rather seems to have been a non-noble weapon used by soldiers instead.

@jancz357

6 жыл бұрын

ok thank you :)

Anyone here who have used latex-swords when sparring in HEMA instead of wooden and blunt steel? What's your thoughts of it?

It seems counterintuitive, though, to make a designed binding point on a sword and place it waaaayyyy out there at the weak of the blade. Kind of the opposite of the advantage gained from binding with lugs on a greatsword - instead of taking control, it seems like you risk giving away the bind by locking in at the worst possible point for leverage.

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

In fighting with binds, sensing pressure ("fühlen) comes before deciding how to deal with a bind, exactly as explained in numerous historical combat treatises. In contrast, initially striving to bind with the strong/forte of a blade not only means having to get closer, but also means binding with the numbest part of the blade. This is not advocated for initial contact anywhere, and that is for a reason.

"Here in Hamburg" where is your school? That room doesn't look like the Hammaborg one

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

That is correct. I quit Hammaborg about five years ago.

I was guilty of thinking they were axe like swords. Thinking on it now. Such a weapon would be more of a survivalist sword than a true HEMA weapon. Imposing our modern views where it doesn’t belong I suppose.

@Taeerom

6 жыл бұрын

I think the main reason people think that (guilty of it myself), is that falchions have somewhat similar profile as a lot of machete type tool/weapon hybrids. Like for example the bolo, kukri, machete, and similar large knives. Since they do the work of both smal hatchets or brushcuting as well as personal defense, it is easy to think falchions do as well. We of course very rarely actually see the blade from the side or get the exact weight/length ratio (so if we get the weight, we might assume it is shorter). How they are shaped are really only "revealed" as one interest and knowledge grows about swords in general. If you only have passing aquantance with falchions as a concept it is not strange to be fooled by the similar profile of big tool/weapon hybrid knives.

Wow I’ve been pronouncing that wrong the whole time

4:00 "/.../a thicker back edge" You don't have a back edge, on a single edged blade. You have a back. Not a back edge ...what with there being no edge, there.

@Xandros999

6 жыл бұрын

Also called the false edge, that may or may not be sharp.

@ZarlanTheGreen

6 жыл бұрын

+Xandros999 No. It's not a false *edge,* if it isn't even close to being an edge. There are unsharp false edges ...but those still do get thinner towards the edge (though not thin enough to be considered sharp). The back of a Falchion, is the thickest part of the blade, and generally completely flat. They might have a false edge, close to the tip (at, approximately the bottom third/forth, at most) ...which, BTW, is the only type of back edge, that I think should ever be termed as a "false edge".

Ist es nicht sehr gefährlich so zu trainieren? Ich würde ja wenigstens einen Helm/ ein Visier tragen, am Ende verliert noch jemand ein Auge :/

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

I address this issue in this video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q5-JrLJwaLy_gcY.html

Like on a early halbeard ...

@swordandshield

6 жыл бұрын

Good point!

@TheBurtonian

6 жыл бұрын

Roland Warzecha pun intended 🤣?

Its good to cut head and hand. Ouackbar

Kampilan

Looks like that tip was designed to negate the advantage of a long blade. I love Falchions.