Sword or Pole-arm -- myArmoury.com

J Gerg · Posted: Wed 18 Feb, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject: 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?

Jacob D. Green · Posted: Wed 18 Feb, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject:

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.

Jacob D. Green · Posted: Wed 18 Feb, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject:

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

J Gerg · Posted: Thu 19 Feb, 2009 1:56 am Post subject:

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.

Urbain d'Erlon · Posted: Thu 19 Feb, 2009 2:36 am Post subject:

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.

G. Bezanson · Posted: Sat 04 Apr, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject:

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.