Just curious if the Falchion would be appropriate for the Durer type of fighting. It seems the Falchion comes from the same family and I was wondering if the style of fighting using a Falchion would be similar to the Messer. Also...what type of shield would be appropriate? Thank you for the information...

Respectfully, Rusty Knorr

The falchion can be used with any single hand sword techniques, so yes, what you see in Albrecht Duerer's illustrations is appropriate. Keep in mind that what he drew wasn't a true fencing manuscript (and much of it seems to be a recreation of earlier manuscripts, redrawn in his contemporary style).

I personally don't view the messer as a true falchion, but rather as a weapon with a similar looking blade that developed independantly from the falchion (that is, it evolved from a simple knife whereas the falchion seems to have evolved from swords). But otherwise there isn't a separate set of techniques to use for a falchion, a messer, and an arming sword.

As for shields, it will depend on what time period you're looking at. But as far as I know, whatever shield would make sense for an arming sword would also make sense for a falchion, assuming it is contemporary to the type of falchion you have. Bucklers would have also been used as well (Hans Talhoffer shows the messer and arming swords as interchangible in his sword and buckler illustrations).

I tend to feel that because of the cutting ability and brute force use of the falchion, I would say at least a medium shield would be in order.
It does not need to be a big shield but if I was to be swing a hefty sword like this one, I'd have a bit of coverage.
A 15" round or better would be my preference. I have seen period art of a knight in Spain using a Falchion with a large heater strapped on his arm. Time line was about 12th Century.

A small 12' buckler I feel would be a bit small and more conducive to a thrusting weapon or a cut and thrust.

The Fachions I have read about have not been heavy at all. In fact, the Albion Vassal that I am planning on getting weighs less than my Albion Crecy. Granted that is a hand and a half but still, I understand that there is a misconception about the Falchion being a heavy cleaver when in fact it is no heavier than any other sword in that style. I am no expert though!
-Rusty

That is true, I have one of the falchions that is represented in that painting. It's not at all heavy and very quick. It depends on the time period and type of falchion you look at.
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I guess you have to look at what the falchion was designed for and go from there. Indeed there was small, light falchions but you will also find the bigger ones that can do good damage to plate.

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The back of the Conyer's falchion is thick but it tapers to the edge. I did not get to handle it personally but I was able to get a very good look at it a bout a year ago. Looks like a lovely weapon. I agree with Bill its likely not intended for plate but light ly armoured gents.

Here is a nice Falchion kept at the RA in storage though I could not remember if Ian and I spoke about it or not so I do not have any info on it. Needless to say looks like a fairly well built but light single edges sword.

RPM

I think a light falchion would make a terrific slicer!

Here is a picture or two of one made by Vladimir Cervenka;

Richard.

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Richard, that's a wounderful sword. I wander how it handles - weight, balance, "feel" etc. I had a chance to handle one of Del Tin's first Dusscks which is basicaly very similar, it felt too heavy to size and the hilt was narrow for my average+ hand. Fit and finish were superb, though.
I would think also that messer & dussack techniques can both work well with a falchion, as those three weapons are similar in size and sometimes in shape; more to it - the boundries between them are blurry and sometime they overlapp each other, depending period and location.

That certainly seems like a thin blade, I bet it is very light and fast. I would worry about it's sturdiness though. It seems like any resistance would fold a blade like that over...

-Rusty

Sa'ar,

I don't have details on this one, but have asked Vlad.
If he sends me further information I will pass it on.
I know he spends a lot of time in museums measuring originals, so it'll most likely be extremely close to one he's seen

I'm not his salesman or anything,(!) but I Do like his work immensly!....that's why I like to show it!

Best wishes,
Richard.

Thanks Richard, this will be great. I've noticed the work of Vladimir myself, they look awsome but of course weight and 'feel' cannot be transfered (yet) via monitors...

Sa'ar,

I've not heard back from him yet. He's been on holiday in his lovely Czech countryside, and is maybe trying to catch up on some work.
When I was enquiring about his "Viking " swords, he told me he measured blade thickness, and balance, and tried very hard to make his the same.

All best wishes,

Richard.

Sa'ar,

Vladimir got back to me re. the falchion.

He says that he has heard a review might be coming up of this sword here at myArmoury!

Regarding measurements, Vladimir has not got anything specific. He made this sword three years ago and has no recorded details.
He did offer approximate statistics as follows;

Blde length..................700mm
O/all length..................895mm
blade width, @ hilt.....43mm
blade width near tip...50mm
weight...........................1080 grams.

Hope this is of some help!

Richard.

I deffinatly have an interest in European single edged swords. How historically accurate is a falcion with a type one Sinclair hilt (Oakeshott)? I read in "European Weapons and Armour" that there were backswords with this type of hilt. Does the falcion just fall under the heading of backsword? I've seen a reproduction of a falcion with a knuckle guard and a rear quillon. I think that it was labeled a Venetian falcion. Are there any examples of such a guard combined with a forward ring guard supported by branches to support fingering the guard or had falcions fallen out out favor by the time guards became that complex?

Richard: thank a lot. This info sure helps.

Doug: historical Sinclair falchions are in (at least) the Royal Armouries, Leeds. Some examples are depicted in European Swords and Daggers in the Tower of London.