Anybody like Cinquedea ?

It's an interesting piece of history to be sure. It's a weapon, there's little practical value there. A broad blade like that would cause wide, grievous wounds. Even with a balance designed for stabbing, the weight would allow for some cutting ability. It's definitely civilian oriented, wide blades would not be able to defeat armor in a military setting as well as something like a stiletto would. Today it's a moot point, most people aren't walking around the mall in brigandine, much less a full plate harness.

I know you did not ask about the stiletto, but it has a number of advantages over the cinquedea. Iron and steel were not as easy to come by in those days as they are now, something made from that much metal would be more costly. It would also take a lot more hammering and effort to make a wider blade. The concealability, effectiveness, and versatility of the stiletto helped it outlive the cinquedea's popularity. They were so effective that the authorities of the day did not love the idea of civilians carrying around a blade(spike?) that could pierce the gaps of a soldier or knight's armor.

I don't want a cinquedea of my own. I think they are interesting though. I'm glad they are around to talk about them.
 
I don't have one .

Historically interesting , but unwieldy looking for carry and fighting ,IMO .

Not too handy as a weedwacker , either . ;)
 
The only use that I may see for it is it would be easy to conceal in prison


...


;)

Edit: Added picture
J8hcdhB.jpg
 
000Robert said:
Does anyone have a photo of one?
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Received my Cold Steel Cinquedea...

I was excited about receiving this, especially since I've eyed it from afar since they first came out with it in 2016. I was hoping she'd be a keeper, and that she is... a keeper! :) I am quite the "picky sorts" of a guy, and when a product arrives in my mail, I so hope that the unboxing and...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
DocJD said:

Received my Cold Steel Cinquedea...

I was excited about receiving this, especially since I've eyed it from afar since they first came out with it in 2016. I was hoping she'd be a keeper, and that she is... a keeper! :) I am quite the "picky sorts" of a guy, and when a product arrives in my mail, I so hope that the unboxing and...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
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Thanks. I sure wouldn't want to get stuck with that knife!
 
The Cinquedea was the direct forerunner of the rapier. It was an interesting sword with a very narrow history. It would have been used in Northern Italy for a period of around 50 years. As a defensive tool for well heeded urban civilians, it was usually worn behind the hip and concealed by period fashion.

n2s
 
DocJD said:
Historically interesting , but unwieldy looking for carry and fighting ,IMO .

Not too handy as a weedwacker , either . ;)
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Think of it as the Bowie knife of the 16th Century.

They must have been very effective because they were popular with the N. Italians, who created many schools of fencing as well as with the Spaniards. If you weren't aware, the Spaniards were the premier soldiers of the 16th Century and dominated the battlefields of Europe for 100+ years.

I'd guess the width & weight of these blades created a balance point right under the thumb for use in fencing, and helped to bash-aside an opponent's weapon. Probably made nasty slashes and punctures too.
 
CWL said:
Think of it as the Bowie knife of the 16th Century.

They must have been very effective because they were popular with the N. Italians, who created many schools of fencing as well as with the Spaniards. If you weren't aware, the Spaniards were the premier soldiers of the 16th Century and dominated the battlefields of Europe for 100+ years.

I'd guess the width & weight of these blades created a balance point right under the thumb for use in fencing, and helped to bash-aside an opponent's weapon. Probably made nasty slashes and punctures too.
Click to expand...
Undoubtedly it worked fine for someone skilled in its use ...I meant unwieldy for MY use only . ;)
 
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