More Falcatas (pix)

R

Robert Cole

Joined
Jun 5, 2000
Messages
191
Thanks to a very nice guy from swordforums,heres a couple Falcata pics I got in email tonight.

<center><img src=http://server3003.freeyellow.com/jon-ritchie/fal.jpg>

<img src=http://server3003.freeyellow.com/jon-ritchie/fal2.jpg></center>

In my opinion,still looking pretty good after a couple millenium in the earth.
 
:
Curiouser and curiouser.
biggrin.gif

Is it my imagination or do those blades appear very similar to the UBE?

It would be fantastic to be able to hold one of those and give it a swing or two. That would be an experience of a lifetime for me!

Is there any indication of blade length or weight or other measurements for those Robert?
I agree, they look wonderfully preserved!!!

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&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;---¥vsa----&gt;®

"There's no trick in being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you."

...............Will Rogers......

Khukuri FAQ
 
He said avg. blade length is 45 cm.It dosent mention the weights.It also says the blades were most likely pattern welded,as the steel at the core of the blades had a 0% carbon content.Heres one of his new ones hes testing out.

<center><img src=http://server3003.freeyellow.com/jon-ritchie/horse.jpg></center>

I really like the look of this one.

I agree,to handle one of these old ones would be a dream come true.They do look like the UBE,but overall i think they just look like a khuk with a longer thinner point.The rest of the blade is almost identical to a khuk.
 
I just couldn't let this pass without saying thank you for the pictures. To be able to swing one of those would be like having a Mary Rose longbow in shootable condition, only better!

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Kevan "Raven" Taylor-Perry
 
I almost forgot: Anyone ever given thought to a HI kopis/falcata? I'd love to see that, myself!

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Kevan "Raven" Taylor-Perry
 
Great pictures, Robert! Thanks for sharing them with us. Do you have any idea of the thickness of these blades? the new one? TIA.

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Cheers,
Brian

He who finishes with the most toys wins.
 
Great pix, Robert. Can you share a little historical information with us regarding falcatas? Specifically, where and when were they primarily used and by whom? Were they a primary weapon or secondary?
 
Check out the thread 'DNA evicence of Alexanders army' from a couple days ago.A few people far more knowledgable than myself gave alot of good info on kopis/falcatas.
 
I'd love to have a Birgorkha Falcata. I hear that the Roman Legions adopted a steel rim to their shields to counter the Falcata's ability to split any unreinforced shields.
 
Someone asked the date and origins of the pictured falcatas. I have a picture of one of these in book that is identical (it's of the one with the sheath harnesses on it.) According to the book ("Warlords" by Tim Newark), this falcata is CeltIberian and dates between the first and fourth century BC. The book also states that the total length characteristic of this sword is 57cm.(22 inches) total length. I also understand the Greek kopis is the same length. I'm exited at the possible prospect of the "revival" of this weapon! I'm already saving for my first khuk; I'm going to start saving now for this also, just in case.

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Kevan "Raven" Taylor-Perry
 
There's a great book which shows several drawings of the falcata, and shows the evolution of the blade style. It's from the Osprey Men-at-Arms series (#180), and called "Rome's Enemies 4: Spanish Armies" written by Rafael Trevino and illustrated by Angus McBride.

I can't lay my hands on my copy at the moment but if memory serves me the Celtiberians and Iberians would frequently carry one of these with smaller knives or extra spearblades tucked into the straps holding the scabbard together. Like a precursor to the karda/chakma arrangement!
 
If I can get the specs of an original falcata, is anyone interested in making the wooden model Bill spoke of? I don't have the access to woodworking tools to do it, but I'll more than gladly do the research into the blade thickness, length, and so on.

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Kevan "Raven" Taylor-Perry
 
The early bronze blades of this type that still exist are about .375+/-. The steel ones that I've seen (allowing for rust loss) were about the same. The blade lengths "seem" to have been from a low of 18" to about 24" depending on material used. Remember metalurgy was pretty much a hit or miss affair. The main reason for laminated blades was to allow for a variety of steel quality and still have a fairly strong blade. A pattern welded blade of today far exceeds almost all of the blades of yesterday.

There is a problem with HI making the blades though. The heat treat method used by the Kamies does not lend itself to fine points or thin cross sections of blade. Hence the motto," A thick blade is a strong blade; a thin blade is a weak blade". So if you have your heart set on them making this blade style and you plan to use it......be prepaired to do your own heat treat after you get the blade. By the way, it isn't has hard to do as you might think.

If enough people here are interested I'll do up a wood model that can be exicuted by the Kamies with reasonable success. The blade length will be about 22" x .375" with an over-all of 30".
Dan
 
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