Sword or Pole-arm
Would you say the Dacian Falx is more of a sword or a pole-arm, i have seen it marked as both but more so a sword, but i would argue it more of a pole-arm. What do you guys think?
Or is this picture I am attaching not even a Falx but a Rhomphaia?


 Attachment: 50.11 KB
falx_02.jpg

It seems to me that the weapon you're referring to would be more of a polearm than a sword. Think about the way you'd handle it - in the picture you can plainly see the guy's just swung in the same manner one would swing an axe. Also deflecting blows and making thrusts or blocks would be much more similar to a polearm than any sword I can think of. I could be wrong, but I'd classify it as a polearm.
Did some quick research...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falx

It appears I was right. The two-handed falx in your photo is classified as a pole arm. They actually have a link on the page to the same guy using the same weapon (different image though). I realize Wikipedia isn't exactly academic, but it does have a convincing article.

-Jacob
That is what i thought, but i saw some instances of it being called a sword...? and just wanted some opinions. I agree fully that it is a pole-arm, but who knows right?
They did however make a one handed Falx, and it's grip is only maybe 4 inches opposed to the picture I posted.
You can have the same thought with the fauchon/fauchard. Sometimes, you will see the same blade on a long shaft, or with a two hands grip... the handling wii be different.
From my understanding, and from the pic, it does indeed look like the falx is being used similairly to an axe, and the curve at the tip looks a little too severe for thrusting, the way you could with a Rhomphaia. I have read that there is a 1 handed variety of the falx, but don't know how it is used, whether as a sword or an axe.


Post Script: Despite the way it appears to be wielded, the construction is much more like a sword or knife, using a tang with wooden cheeks rivetted to it.

Page 1 of 1

Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum




All contents © Copyright 2003-2006 myArmoury.com — All rights reserved
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Full-featured Version of the forum