- Joined
- Oct 25, 2003
- Messages
- 703

Those who watch "Forged in Fire" might remember the episode involving the Chequedea. IMHO, it was the most effective short sword/long knife they tested. I handled one years ago in the old Museum Replicas factory store. It was an incredibly surprising weapon, made by Del Tin, of Italy. I couldn't afford it then and regret it to this day.
The Chequedea proved to be a incredibly effective slashing sword, probably the most effective tested (among short-swords). It's sharply tapering blade and super-wide base made devastating gaping wounds when used to stab.
The hilt reminds one of the Roman puglia. Obviously designed to hold onto, greasy and bloody. Can you just hear the Internet "Experts," and what they would say about this grip design?


Form follows function
The Chiquedea is a weird looking sword. Few modern knife experts would pick this as being an effective weapon. They might claim it isn't designed to be a slashing sword, or even a particularly good stabbing weapon, as it's obvious size would seem clumsy and unresponsive. despite the weight-reducing fullers, it's still pretty substantial. Many modern wags would find it too different, too extreme. They would deem it inferior, silly.
They would be wrong.
The Chiquedea evolved during an incredibly dangerous time in Southern Europe (primarily Northern Italy, 15th-17th century). Crime was rampant and streets teeming with danger. People didn't choose this weapon because of its style and grace. They chose it because they needed it.
While often heavily decorated, this was no couch cushion. People died in street fights everyday. People who didn't do their own fighting, or only fought duels, carried a rapier. People who might have to face-off against a street gang, carried a Chiquedea.
This was a purely civilian design. To my knowledge, it was rarely used in military. The common military sword patterns being the cavalry saber and the cut-and-thrust swords used by the sword and buckler armies. I believe artillery, crossbow, and pike, carried short-swords, but they were more the Agincourt pattern.
The Chequedea was a sword for an individual fighter.

So why is one of the most proven and effective personal weapons almost unknown and practical unavailable. In all the world of knives for "self defense," why isn't the Chequedea selling out to those who may not buy a gun. Why isn't it selling out to those who just appreciate effective weapons, one of the best word designs ever conceived?
I'll tell you why. Because it's weird-looking
