Looking for a good francisca -- myArmoury.com

Ian Hutchison · Posted: Sat 14 Feb, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject: Looking for a good francisca

Hi,

I'm looking to get a francisca, does anyone know of a good maker/have any recommendations?

Leo Todeschini · Industry Professional

Owen Bush at www.owenbush.co.uk makes fantastic axes

Tod

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Sun 15 Feb, 2009 1:14 am Post subject:

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Sun 15 Feb, 2009 1:18 am Post subject: Re: Looking for a good francisca

Antonio Lamadrid · Posted: Sun 15 Feb, 2009 3:17 am Post subject:

Maybe a bit expensive, but the quality of Pälikkö's works is amazing.

http://www.kp-art.fi/jt/index_eng.html

Look for the "fransiska" in Historical.

I got mine from Reenactors. Nothing fancy but good enough if you get a curved shaft.

http://www.reenactors-shop.de/product_info.ph...4efd7b13cd

Ian Hutchison · Posted: Sun 15 Feb, 2009 7:22 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the pointers guys.

OT: Have we found/seen any pictorial evidence of the shafts? Is the curved shaft better than a straight for throwing? I've seen curved shafts on African throwing weapons and on larger European axe.

Chuck Russell · Posted: Sun 15 Feb, 2009 8:40 am Post subject:

here are a few cheaper ones
http://www.kultofathena.com/product~item~6007...ng+Axe.htm
http://www.kultofathena.com/product~item~6147...ca+Axe.htm
http://www.kultofathena.com/product~item~XH21...tiqued.htm

i have the hanwei and like it a lot. i haven't had the chance to target practice it yet though.

David Wilson · Posted: Sun 15 Feb, 2009 4:11 pm Post subject:

Some years ago, I purchased a Francisca from Hal Siegel of Therion Arms. It was imported from the Czech Republic, where it was made by a company called Arms & Armour CZ (not to be confused with our Arms & Armor in Minneapolis). It was of high quality, IMO, handles and throws very well, has a decent "axe-like" edge and is handsome, with an "antiqued" finish, to boot.
Sadly, Therion no longer imports this make. Arms & Armour CZ has changed it's name to "Spartakus". Happily, the francisca seems to be still available, at least on their website: www.spartakus.pl . Check under "Axes", of course.

For a cheaper, but no less historically accurate, Francisca, you may also want to check out Jas. Townsend and Son. They're actually a Colonial-era sutler, but they have what they call a "French Throwing Axe" for $40.00. It's a nice axe for the price, but you'll have to edge it yourself (or have a professional sharpener work on it). Website: http://jas-townsend.com/ .

Ragweed Forge offers the same axe, and a couple other Francisca-like axes: http://www.ragweedforge.com/ThrowingCatalog.html

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

David Wilson · Posted: Sun 15 Feb, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject:

Actually, they're the Polish representatives for the company, which is still in CZ....

Okay, I just googled the actual company website... it's www.kasto.org ....

So, I guess you can go straight through them, instead of a Polish middle-man....

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Thanks, David...

Ian Hutchison · Posted: Sun 15 Feb, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the links David. I've always liked doing business with Ragnar, nice to see he has this item.