[John Cooksey]

I am getting ready to have one of these babies put together, and I am curious as to how far out the center-of-gravity "ought" to be.
Would there be a significant difference between the handling of an Eastern Med. Kopis and a Western Med. falcata?
Seems like Kopis blades are often skinnier, but Falcata blades have more fullering.

[B. Stark]

I had a few conversations about these swords with Peter Johnsson. Firstly, from what PJ has discovered, these swords tend to be lighter than most would initially believe. Also, they apparently have very drastic and or complex distal taper. Some incorporate a "T" shaped crossection. Being that they are so short also contributes to a lessening of true blade presence. At least in the Iberian versions. They seem more robust then many of the Greek versions. Which tend to be longer and slimmer in profile in some cases.

I think that it is a misconception that these swords were heavy cleavers. Though they were designed to give a devastating blow. I believe they were quite quick in the hand.

[Nathan Robinson]

Hey, thanks for posting that! I started to post a reply with a recap of a similar conversation I listened in on with Peter as well, but frankly, I didn't remember the details enough to be confident enough to post about them.

[John Cooksey]

From what I have read, it does seem like falcata, at least, were pretty quick little beasts.
I am having a generic "falcata/kopis/machaira" made, and I can't decide whether to have the POB/COG somewhere in the vicinity of 2 inches, or somewhere in the vicinity of 4 inches, out from the hilt.
I tend to like weapons with a bit more blade presence, both for cutting and for thrusting.
It's going to be a bit heavier than some historic falcata, but it's going to be a pretty good-sized weapon, too.

Thanks, y'all.

[Shane Allee]

Well if it isn't the Scythian... I knew your name looked familiar John, but couldn't place it. Finally made the connection with the ginko leaf avatar and your sword for sale. Good to have you around here and have you posting again.

About the best source we have found is El armamento ibérico by Sanz, shouldn't be a problem for you to ILL through your university. You are still at the university down there right? Anyway, if you have problems let me know and I'll get you what I have. He does have a good number of illustrations for the kopis, machaira, and the falcata with cross sections included. It will also get you some thicknesses for a few different falcata blades. Few other bits in there as well if you take the time and work with it. Really would be worth your time, should be more than a few things in there that will catch your eye.

I would hold off on going too generic, after you get Sanz you will really start seeing some of the specific characteristics of each type. With the machaira and kopis you can pretty much figure the balance point will be out there a bit, I wouldn't even venture a guess on where it will fall on until I get a falcata finished though. There is just that much going on that it will be interesting seeing how things shift around as it comes together.

Look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Shane

[John Cooksey]