Ok no laughing (Outloud) anyway. My sword design prototype

R

RobertHankins

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Jun 10, 2001
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I loosely based this prototype on a 13th century Italian "Fachion" sp.
I have found the best way to work thru a new design is by grinding and assembling a piece in wood first.

I would really appreciate some constructive input on the Handle and Guard design. I have a piece of 3/16" ATS34 with this swords name on it.
So Ideas for handle and fittings material are welcome also. I plan on doing a Patina on the blade and maybe antiqueing the fittings.
Handle on one of the two I make will be Fluted.
 

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Howdy,

Looks cool. The blade looks like it'll be pretty heavy, so you might think about a heavy pommel or extending the guard to help with balance. Be interested to see how it turns out.

Bear13
 
I had the same impression concern weight and balance. Will there be a distal taper? Is that possible with so much metal up front? You might want to also extend the handle. This could be a major two hander :)
 
If anyone is laughing it's because of ignorance. :)

That one looks a lot like this one:

I agree with the comment about the pommel.

falchion1.jpg
 
What metal did they use? It must have been very heavy. Was it a two hander? Or was it for mounted use?
 
Not trying to steal your design. Mine did come from a website linked to the swordforum site, guard design is my idea, handle needs changed.
The tang will be a full 3/4" or so wide almost all the way to the end where I will have a short piece of 1/4" allthread brazed on for the Pommel. Having a full flat grind with a Distal taper will balance it about an inch and a half in front of the gaurd. I can always use 3/16" guard and a 1/4" thick pommel to help if needed.
 
I think (and if I'm wrong, someone's sure to correct me) that they were intended for mounted use.

My line of reasoning is this: picture yourself riding through a battle. With a "regular" knightly sword, you'd be riding, stopping, thrusting, riding, stopping, thrusting etc. If you think stop & go traffic is tough on your car, imagine what it would do to your horse. Now picture yourself riding through a battle with falchion. It seems to me, being so obviously a chopper, the motions would be more fluid: Ride, hack, ride, hack. Less stoppage = less fatigue for your mount, less to "think" about. I'm sure there's a fly in that logic ointment somewhere, but it makes sense to me ...

(edited 'cowz I kain't spel tudae)
 
RobertHankins,

No, no this isn't my sword design at all. It is simply a customer's blade that passed through my hands. The sword was built by Fulvio Del Tin and reproduces a historical original. I doubt that the original designer would be all that upset if you are recreating his design, and even if he did care I'm guessing that there is not to much he can do about it besides haunt you. :)

This sword is called a falchion, and it is actually a single handed sword that was probably used more unmounted due to its rather short length. It is my experience that a horseman's sword is rather long for that added reach needed from horseback. I don't know what the original steel was, but this one is made out of 5160.

Here is the review from my site:

Del Tin 5131

Overall length: 29.75 inches
Bladel Length 23.25 inches
Point of Balance: 3.5 inches from cross
Center of Percussion: 15.75 inches from cross
Weight: 2.7 lbs
Pommel type: G
Cross type: 12 Variant
Blade type: Not typed

Performance Review:
This was a customer's sword so I could not cut with it. This blade is made for one thing and one thing only - chopping. In that department I think that it will perform admirably. A good solid weapon, and reasonably quick on recovery. The perfect sword for powerful crushing blows.

Appearance:
This is a very plain weapon by Del Tin standards. No embellishment whatsoever. The only thing that could be considered decoratife is the cross. Still the sword has a pleasing profile and is nicely done.
 
Pretty neat Robert.., boy you sure mess around with lots of "stuff"..., good for you!! Love to see the finished verson!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Hey Will,

I wouldn't worry about it, it is kind of hard to tell a sword's length just looking at a picture. I had the advantage of actually handling the thing.
 
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